RFP: Private NAEYC-Accredited or Obtaining Accreditation Preschools in Need of Playground, Classroom, or Other Small Capital Improvements Grant

The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation is offering funding for private NAEYC-accredited preschools seeking improvements to playgrounds and classrooms. Grants of up to $25,000 are available to enhance early learning environments. Applicants must demonstrate co-investment from their board and address specific project needs, particularly in light of West Maui's recovery efforts. Only 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible, and projects must actively involve community planning.

RFP: Private NAEYC-Accredited or Obtaining Accreditation Preschools in Need of Playground, Classroom, or Other Small Capital Improvements
The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation Trustees fully know how important safe and healthy preschool playgrounds are to early learning. Although the Foundation continues to fund minor capital improvements in and around preschool classrooms and other indoor facilities, we realize playgrounds are very expensive and challenging to finance.
In 2026, we encourage accredited or about-to-be accredited preschools to prepare solid and well-documented applications to improve the instruction of playground equipment. Most applications for this purpose will generally be up to $25,000. We expect each applicant to provide evidence that the applicant’s board of directors plans to co-invest with the Castle Foundation, as the playground is the school’s facility. Depending on the cost of the improvements, the school may need to apply to other private foundations interested in early learning. The Castle Foundation is a state-wide funder with a particular emphasis on West Maui’s post-wildfire recovery. We are limited in the amounts we can provide for any project.

Eligibility

All mainland U.S. applications must be invited by the Trustees to be considered for funding.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.

Ineligibility

The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation is not an international funder and applications are not accepted outside the U.S. The Foundation only rarely funds in the U.S. outside Hawaii. Public or private high schools, middle schools, or elementary schools Charter Schools, except for pre-school teacher education Endowments Regular operating costs such as salaries, rents, or maintenance More 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 events Capital campaigns to build facilities not related to early education Individuals Political events, campaigns and sponsorshipsProposals submitted by government entities, such as public and charter schools, will not be considered.