Early Care Spaces program

Overview

About The Kenneth Rainin Foundation

Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education, and Health. We believe in taking smart risks to achieve breakthroughs. In 2024, the Foundation is celebrating 15 years of formal grantmaking that supports visionary artists in the Bay Area, creates opportunities for Oakland’s youngest learners, and funds researchers on the forefront of scientific discoveries. Since 2009, the Foundation has awarded over $46 million in funding to support evidence-based practices to help children become confident, capable, and joyful learners. Learn more about the Rainin Foundation’s grantmaking.

Grant Opportunity For Early Language & Literacy Development

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation announces the launch of Early Care Spaces. This new program will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support organizations promoting early language and literacy development for Oakland children from birth to five years old.

Research suggests that the opportunity to help children grow and improve literacy is greatest from early care through second grade. The Rainin Foundation supports equitable approaches to literacy during these early years. Early Care Spaces commemorates our 15th anniversary of formal grantmaking and honors our vision of a world where all Oakland children read at or above grade level by third grade. This will be an annual program that aims to advance work that focuses on:

* Supporting children to expand their vocabulary and comprehension skills and increase confidence in listening and speaking.
* Opportunities that recognize parents and caregivers as leaders in their children’s education and increase their capacity to support early literacy.
* Career advancement and upskilling for Black early care providers to lead language-rich, developmentally appropriate and culturally affirming care.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Programs with deep connections to informal care providers or Family, Friend, and Neighbor care.
* Diverse organizations and providers that reflect the neighborhood and communities they serve.
* Work that is happening in the Oakland flatlands, especially neighborhoods experiencing disinvestment and the displacement of BIPOC communities.
* Early care provided outside of traditional education systems, including family resource centers and community spaces.
* We accept applications from organizations that meet the following criteria:
* Nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors.
* All fiscal sponsorships require a written agreement.
* Organizations must provide services for Oakland children, educators or families.
* While an organization can operate and provide services outside of Oakland, our funding can only go towards its Oakland-based programming.
* The grant amount requested may not exceed more than 30% of the organization’s last closed fiscal year budget, and should reflect project scope, organization size and true cost of services.
* Eligibility for current Rainin Foundation Education grantees: 
* Early Care Spaces grantees must finish their previously funded projects by December 31, 2025.
* Before applying for this grant, grantees funded through another Education grant program must finish their previously funded project and submit the grant report by the August 25, 2025, Early Care Spaces application deadline.
* Exceptions are possible for current Education grantees if the new project is significantly different from the currently funded one. To discuss your specific situation, please get in touch with the Education Program Officer. 
* Funding Type:
* Project Support Project support refers to funding for specific programs, initiatives or projects within an organization. This type of support is best suited for organizations that are not explicitly literacy focused. 
* General Operating Support can provide flexible, unrestricted funding to help sustain the overall mission of an organization, rather than focusing on a single project or program. It supports the organization’s day-to-day operations and ongoing activities, with decisions left to the organization’s discretion. To be eligible for this type of support, there must be a robust alignment between the organization’s mission and the Early Care Spaces’ focus areas and priorities.

Ineligibility

* The Foundation does not fund:
* Initiatives or programs designed for children ages 6+
Programs that primarily support book access or wraparound services\
* Capital campaign requests
* Childcare centers
* Fee-for-service programs
* One-time events
* Construction, purchase or renovation of facilities
* Advertising or promotional sponsorship
* Fraternal organizations
* Organizations that discriminate based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender