Caregiver Supports and Opportunities for Early Learning
If an application has already been started in response to this RFP, please visit the Proposals in Progress section in the Grants Portal to view and/or continue the application process.
Background
Services for young children and their families can have significant impacts on short-term and long-term outcomes for child development, family well-being, and society as a whole.
Programs that serve children and their families can help build “protective factors, resiliency, and parental capacity to enhance child and family well-being and prevent child abuse and neglect.” The most successful programs and services meaningfully and authentically engage caregivers, families, and communities in all aspects of programming, planning, and implementation. Through this RFP, WPF is looking to support approaches that advance outcomes for young children and their families through integrated and coordinated program and services. This means that early learning experiences for children and/or programs/supports for parents/caregivers are intentionally designed and advance clearly articulated goals for each generation.
Opportunity Overview
The Foundation seeks to support efforts that increase access to caregiver supports and opportunities for early learning for pregnant and parenting families with young children. Funding will be limited to projects that will positively impact families with young children, ages 0-8.
Programs/services proposed for funding must advance outcomes for both generations. Programs may serve both adults and children, or adults only, but defined outcomes for each age group must be clearly identified.
The most competitive proposals will include at least two of the following activities:
- Develop adults’ ability to support their children’s healthy development.
- Offer ongoing, interactive, intergenerational programming and services that include an early learning component (social-emotional, STEM, math, literacy, etc.) for children ages 0 to 8.
- Peer-to-peer supports for caregivers (e.g., support groups, mentoring).
- Provide resources, supports, and referrals for caregivers and families as needed.
- Increase the number of families being effectively served in needed programs and services.
- Other ideas not mentioned here that improve services, access to resources, and academic and/or social-emotional outcomes for young children and families.
Programming can take place in a variety of settings and with varying frequencies. See chart below for examples.
Eligible for Funding | Not Eligible | |
| Location | Homes, health care settings, community-based settings, libraries, recreation centers, etc. | Programming/services that take place solely in a virtual setting. |
| Frequency | Programming/services that take place bi-weekly, weekly, monthly, bi-monthly are all eligible. | Programs/ services that only consist of one-time programs or workshops (e.g., book fair, concert). |
| Dosage | Programs/services proposed for funding should include a minimum of four meetings/sessions. | Programs/services that do not include an expectation of ongoing connection with families. |
| Age Focus | Expectant parents; Families with children ages 0 to 8 (or a subset in that range). | Programming that primarily serves children ages 9 and above. |
| Geography | Programming/services must take place in Philadelphia and serve Philadelphia residents. | Programming that serves families located outside of the city of Philadelphia. |
Please note, under this RFP, the Foundation will not consider proposals to support the following:
- Physical health services such as well child and adult exams or treatment
- Early intervention services
- Mental and behavioral health services (e.g., one-on-one therapeutic sessions)
- Full-day childcare
We are requesting proposals for up to three years of funding. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.
Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that making significant progress on the objective is difficult and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise to reach proposed goals.
The Foundation recognizes that there are many different tactics or approaches that could be used to advance the objective stated above. All proposals that meet the review criteria described below are encouraged.
WPF has $6 million available to advance this objective through this RFP. The maximum amount of funding that organizations may request for direct expenses is $800,000 over three years. (This does not include the overhead amount that will be added to project budgets, based on a formula described on the “How to Apply” section of our website).
Full Request for Proposals (RFP) and Application
Download the full RFP packet for more information about this opportunity including eligibility, review criteria, learning and insights, budget, and link to an application template.
All applications must be submitted through the Grants Portal.
Webinar
Interested organizations are invited to participate in an optional informational webinar on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 11:00AM ET.
Following the live webinar, a recording will be posted to this page.