Request for Proposals: Achieving and Retaining Accreditation Grant

The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation offers grants to independent preschools aiming for accreditation. With a focus on early childhood education, the foundation provides $100,000 to support improvements necessary for achieving or retaining accreditation. Grants typically range from $15,000 to $25,000, requiring matching funds from the schools. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations located in Hawaii, with a preference for projects addressing community needs and improving access to quality education for low-income families.

NOTE: Applicants are urged to submit early applications when possible.
Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation Grant
The difference maker in achieving good outcomes from early education is the quality indicators available to teachers and students. The preschool’s accreditation status is a critical indicator of high quality in instruction. Parents know that an accredited preschool is likely to perform better and are often willing to pay more for accredited educational settings. Fair compensation for teachers in the independent preschool world depends, in part, on their ability to charge more tuition and fees. Thus, the extra effort for a school to achieve and retain its recognized status is well worth the additional expense.
The Trustees have set aside $100,000 to assist independent schools in making the improvements necessary to obtain accreditation or retain it once they achieve it. Unaccredited schools committed to the process will be expected to have a board of trustees or directors committed to the effort and to make substantial pledges of time and money. These include the following: NAEYC, HAIS, WASC, NECPA, and WINHEC.
In general, the Castle Foundation grants will range from $15,000 to $25,000. The preschool is expected to match the Foundation’s donation. It is desirable that additional funding if needed, be sought from other Hawaii-based charitable foundations. Don’t hesitate to contact the Foundation’s Executive Director, Alfred Castle, to discuss your need for financing accreditation or reaccreditation before applying for funds. All proposals must be approved for submission to the Foundation by Mr. Castle.

Eligibility

Grant requests will be considered only from organizations that are classified by the IRS as 501(c)(3), tax exempt agencies, and not private foundations. However, projects that include a public sector partner are encouraged, as it is recognized that public agencies have responsibilities in these areas and are important partners in developing early childhood programs, particularly at the system level. The fiscal agent for such projects, however, must be a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.Grants are primarily awarded to organizations located within the state of Hawaii, for programs and projects benefiting the people of Hawaii.The Foundation only rarely funds in the U.S. outside Hawaii.All mainland U.S. applications must be invited by the Trustees to be considered for funding.The Foundation does frequently co-fund with partner foundations. The co-funding arrangement respects individual foundation sovereignty and encourages direct relationships with grantees. The Castle Foundation welcomes co-funded projects and may also co-fund with “braided” projects. Co-funding with national and regional funders where the Foundation’s trustees retain decision-making, the Foundation’s values, strategies, and fiscal responsibility are welcomed and sought after.Programs or projects for which funds are requested must be in response to a documented community need, and not solely an organizational need.Grants may be awarded for innovative programs, demonstration projects and “start-up” funding.All grants are made directly to applicant organizations serving the public.An organization is generally not awarded more than one grant in any calendar year.

Ineligibility

Proposals submitted by government entities, such as public and charter schools, will not be considered.The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation is not an international funder and applications are not accepted outside the U.S.Generally, We Do Not Fund the following:Public or private high schools, middle schools, or elementary schoolsCharter Schools, except for pre-school teacher educationEndowmentsRegular operating costs such as salaries, rents, or maintenanceMore than 30-40% of a total project cost Programs not open to all racial and ethnic groups Projects in which parents and the community have not been appropriately involved in planning and funding Publication and media projects Organizations outside Hawai‘i which do not serve Hawaii’s needs Teacher and student scholarships for travel, or conference attendance Video projects Regular annual fund drives, sponsorships, or special eventsCapital campaigns to build facilities not related to early educationIndividualsPolitical events, campaigns and sponsorshipsA popular means of funding major programs or projects is “braided funding.” While the strategy is often a good way for many funders to pool resources in a common fund and make payments from that fund for a project of common popularity, the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation does not finance large projects in this way. Grants are generally not made to third party regranting organizations.Generally, organizations will not be eligible for program or project support beyond 3 years. Subsequent to a 3-year grant, an organization should not apply for additional support for at least one calendar year.