RFP- Improving Instructional Quality in Hawaii’s Independent Preschool Grant

RFP- Improving Instructional Quality in Hawaii’s Independent Preschool Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Samuel N & Mary Castle Foundation
Amount: Up to US $30,000
Last Updated: January 06, 2026

Summary

The Samuel N. & Mary Castle Foundation invites applications for the RFP- Improving Instructional Quality in Hawaii’s Independent Preschools. This initiative seeks to enhance early education quality through adherence to NAEYC standards, focusing on relationships, curriculum, teaching, and assessment. Grants totaling $200,000 will be awarded primarily to 501(c)(3) organizations within Hawaii, emphasizing the importance of collaborative partnerships and community engagement to foster equitable educational opportunities for children aged 0-5.

Overview

NOTE: Applications for this initiative should be discussed with the Foundation’s Executive Director before applying. Applicants are urged to submit early applications when possible. Augmenting Quality in Hawaii’s Independent Preschools RFP Since the Castle Foundation helped pioneer progressive and high-quality kindergartens in the 19th century, the trustees have supported improvements that lead to better teaching, better facilities, and better outcomes for children. As one of America’s oldest foundations, we believe that high quality early education gives our children and families the best chance for equal educational opportunity. Excellent preschool education leads to substantial academic results, including greater earnings, greater ability to focus, less incarceration, more successful careers, greater educational attainment, and healthier lifestyles. To encourage quality augmentation, the Castle Foundation encourages applications to improve quality as measured by the ten NAEYC accreditation standards. The primary standards are: Standard 1: Relationships The program promotes positive relationships between all children and adults to encourage each child’s sense of individual worth and belonging as part of a community and to foster each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible community member.Standard 2: CurriculumThe program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for children and that promotes learning and development in each of the following areas: social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive.Standard 3: Teaching The program uses a variety of developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches that enhance each child’s learning and development in the context of the program’s curriculum goals.Standard 4: Assessment of Child ProgressThe program uses a variety of formal and informal assessment approaches to provide information on children’s learning and development. These assessments occur in the context of reciprocal communications between teachers and families, and with sensitivity to the cultural contexts in which children are developing. The program uses assessment results to inform decisions about the children in their care, to improve teaching practices, and to drive program improvement.Standard 5: HealthThe program promotes the nutrition and health of children and protects children and staff from illness.Standard 6: Staff Competencies, Preparation, and SupportThe program employs and supports a teaching and administrative staff that have the qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to promote children’s learning and development and to support families’ diverse needs and interests.Standard 7: FamiliesThe program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development in all settings. These relationships are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture.Standard 8: Community RelationshipsThe program establishes relationships with and uses the resources of the children’s communities to support the achievement of program goals.Standard 9: Physical EnvironmentThe program has a safe and healthful environment that provides appropriate and well-maintained indoor and outdoor physical environments. The environment includes facilities, equipment, and materials to facilitate child and staff learning and development. These small capital improvements are popular ways to improve a school’s learning effectiveness.Standard 10: Leadership and ManagementThe program effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems that support stable staff and strong personnel, fiscal, and program management so all children, families, and staff have high-quality experiences. Estimated Total for all Awards is $200,000.

Eligibility

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