Early Childhood Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Minnesota

Focus Areas: High-quality, culturally appropriate early childhood programs that support children's social, emotional, physical, and academic development with strong family engagement strategies.

Vision of Success: All Minnesota children with the least access to resources are socially and emotionally, as well as physically and cognitively ready for kindergarten.

Eligible Program Types

• Innovative early care and education
• Targeted home visiting and parent education
• Early childhood mental health programs

High-Quality Early Care and Education Program Elements

• 3 or 4 star Parent Aware rating or pathway to attain it
• Research-based high-quality curriculum
• Family engagement opportunities in programming
• Quality assessment tools where data informs program improvement
• Professional development access for staff in areas such as: program design, evaluation and assessment, inter-cultural skills, and child development

High-Quality Parent Education and Targeted Home Visiting Program Elements

• Focus on strength-based whole child and family development (cognitive, physical, social, emotional)
• Research-based high-quality curriculum and evidenced-based model
• Parent-child interaction component
• Active involvement of parents/caregivers in child's learning
• Intensity and duration of contact appropriate for program goals
• Quality assessment tools where data informs program improvement
• Professional development access for staff

High-Quality Early Childhood Mental Health Program Elements

• Priority given to mental health programs aligned with high-quality early care education and targeted home visiting programs
• Primary focus on relationships
• Culturally appropriate interventions
• Research-based high-quality methodology
• Family engagement opportunities
• Initial assessment of each child including for trauma and chronic stress
• Intensity and duration of client services appropriate to intervention goals
• Quality assessment tools where data informs program improvement
• Professional development access for staff

Background: The Foundation invests in innovative direct service programs to support vulnerable children in Minnesota.

Application Process

1. Determine Eligibility
   • Review frequently asked questions to verify organizational eligibility
   • Check funding guidelines to ensure program fits
2. Contact the Foundation
   • Organizations must contact Foundation staff before submission
   • Phone: 612-871-9210
   • Email: info[@]sheltering-arms.org
   • Staff provides technical assistance and responds to questions about program ideas, review process, timeline, or budget items
3. Review Application Questions
   • Review application questions before logging into the online grant system
4. Submit Application via Online System
   • Create account in grantee portal
   • Click "Apply" and select "Early Childhood" program
   • Complete eligibility quiz
   • Complete all required fields (marked with asterisk)
   • Upload required documents: financials (audit), program budget, organization logo (one document per question)
   • Click "Save Application" before logging off to save progress
   • Click "Submit Application" button when complete
   • Automatic email confirmation sent upon submission
5. Foundation Review Process (February - March)
   • Grants Committee of Board of Trustees and staff review applications
   • Staff or trustees may contact for clarification in April
   • Site visits may be requested (do not constitute grant commitment)
   • External field experts may be consulted confidentially
6. Grant Awards
   • Recommended applications presented to Board of Trustees at May annual meeting
   • Grant payments begin the following July
   • Grant recipients sign agreement requiring final project report
   • All unexpended money must be refunded unless prior extension approval given

Online System Access: https://sheltering-arms.org/online-application-system-instructions/
Tutorial Video: https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991-GLM-Applicant-Tutorial