Prenatal-to-Three Community Grant

This funding opportunity is now closed and is expected to reopen in April 2023. View the award distribution announcement for the 2022 grants on DEEL's blog. 

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The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity closed on September 21, 2022.

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is requesting applications for the Prenatal-to-Three Community Grant Program from groups interested in providing prenatal-to-three supports to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, individuals with low income, and those whose primary language is not English. Funding is available from revenue generated from the City Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) and allocated through recommendations made by the SBT Community Advisory Board. Organizations with missions to serve children aged birth to three, pregnant individuals, and/or guardians of children aged birth to three within the city of Seattle are encouraged to apply.

The outcome of this investment is to support increased kindergarten readiness and reduce the disparities in outcomes for young children and families based on race, gender, or other socioeconomic factors. The program intends to accomplish this by supporting community-informed proposals that address obstacles contributing to these disparities. These include providing families access to critical resources and services, supporting healthy and equitable births, increasing parental health and wellbeing, strengthening nurturing and responsive caregiver-child relationships, and supporting optimal child health and development.

Please note: Changes to the funding process and timeline may occur. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this webpage for technical assistance information, updates, clarifications, or amendments.  

Who can apply and for how much money

Eligible applicants include:

• Community-based organizations that are incorporated as non-profit organizations
• Community organizations or collaborations that are not incorporated as a non-profit such as community collaboratives, coalitions and or other affinity groups

Any unincorporated entity must identify a fiscal sponsor that will share its 501(c)(3) status in their application.

Approximately $1.4 million is available during this grant cycle, which runs from December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2023. Grantees are eligible to receive funding up to $150,000, with the minimum grant request being $10,000. Applicants are limited to submitting one project during this grant cycle. As the Sweetened Beverage Tax is dependent on consumer demand for sugary beverages, grants are subject to funding availability.

Current SBT Prenatal to Three Community Grant grantees are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

Types of programs that can be funded

This grant will identify and fund the following types of programs:

• Projects that advance racial equity across core areas in support of the developmental continuum starting at pregnancy and ending at three years of age, including but not limited to prenatal services, healthcare, and caregiver supports.
• Proposals designed in partnership with priority communities

How applicants will be selected

Applicant organizations with the following characteristics will be prioritized for funding:

1. Representative of and primarily serving priority communities
2. Demonstrated organizational structures and strategies to engage with the community, particularly with young families
3. Smaller organizations with limited paid staff

Projects outlined in the grant applications that demonstrate the following will be prioritized for funding:

1. Provides evidence of a process for co-designing and co-creating proposal with community members that will be benefiting from the project
2. Demonstrates project characteristics that are culturally responsive and promote equitable access
3. Clearly outlines and supports how the project will positively impact priority communities and meet the grant program outcomes

Each eligible grant application will be reviewed by a funding panel that will include members of the community, members from the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board and City of Seattle staff. Applications will be assessed through the lens of the priority criteria outlined above. The review panel will consider the proposals received and seek to fund a diverse range of project concepts and communities of focus.

Learn more about the Prenatal-to-Three Community Grant Program Evaluation Process.

Technical Assistance

DEEL is providing the opportunity for prospective applicants to receive direct technical assistance (TA) in developing their proposals from three experienced community-based consultants. Technical assistance is free to applicants. We strongly encourage utilizing technical assistance to support the development of your proposal, alignment to the priorities of this RFP, and review of the technical guidance. View more information on each of the consultants listed below.

Timeline

To be considered for funding, eligible applicants are invited to submit RFP applications by 5:00 pm Pacific Time on September 21, 2022. DEEL will notify successful applicants before October 7, 2022.

*Dates subject to change.

How to apply

Please click the link below to view the RFP Overview document, which will guide you through the application process.  

Each of the following forms are required as part of your application for funding. Please be sure to complete each of the following:  

Use the following links to access forms and additional information you will need to apply for this funding opportunity. 

How to submit your application:  

Email your application to DEELFunding@seattle.gov. Please use the following naming convention in the subject line of your email and for the electronic files attached: “[Organization Name] - PN-3 Community Grant.” 

How to submit questions 

To submit questions, please email DEELFunding@seattle.gov with "Question: PN-3 Community Grant" in the subject line. Responses will be published and linked in the table above.