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.
Why is the William Penn Foundation (WPF) prioritizing this objective?
All families can benefit from increased resources and opportunities that help maximize their ability to support their children’s early development. Local families affirm this approach. In conversations over the past couple of years, Philadelphia families emphasized the value of community-based programs that provide parent education, build children's social-emotional skills, and create enrichment opportunities.
Research demonstrates that the well-being of caregivers and children is deeply interconnected. Programs that serve young children and their families together help build “protective factors, resiliency, and parental capacity to enhance child and family well-being and prevent child abuse and neglect." Because gains for one generation reinforce gains for the other, programs that support caregivers and children jointly can produce greater benefits than those that focus on parents or children alone.
What types of projects will get funded?
WPF seeks to support approaches that improve outcomes for young children, ages 0 to 8, and their families in Philadelphia through coordinated programs and services. This approach requires early learning experiences for children and programs/supports for parents/caregivers that are intentionally designed and advance clearly articulated goals for each generation.
For this RFP, WPF will prioritize proposals that focus on direct service. Proposals must 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, material supports, and referrals for caregivers and families as needed.
- 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:
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 weekly, bi-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
What has to be in my proposal?
We are requesting proposals for up to 36 months of funding. The Foundation recognizes that there are many different tactics or approaches that could be used to advance the objective stated above and align with the expectations above. All proposals that meet these expectations as well as the review criteria described below are encouraged.
Programs/services proposed for funding must advance outcomes for both generations - caregivers/family and their child. Programs may serve adults and children, or adults only, but defined outcomes for each age group must be clearly identified.
Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that the work necessary to make significant progress on the objective will be complex and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise.
How much money is available?
The maximum amount of funding that organizations may request for direct expenses is $800,000 total over three years. Requests of any size up to the maximum amount are welcome. Regardless of request amount, a clear justification must be provided in the budget narrative.
WPF has allocated $4.5 million to advance this objective through this RFP.
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, September 16, 2026 at 1:00PM ET.
Following the live webinar, a recording will be posted to this page.