Sheltering Arms Foundation Grant

The Sheltering Arms Foundation Grant supports high-quality direct-service programs for children aged 0-12, focusing on early childhood and youth development along with advocacy efforts. The foundation aims to diminish opportunity gaps and enhance public commitment to children's well-being in Minnesota. Programs must be culturally appropriate and involve family engagement, ensuring children are socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten and prepared for academic success by 7th grade. Eligible organizations must be non-profits based in Minnesota.

NOTE: Prior to submission of a funding request, organizations are required to contact Foundation staff to talk about how a project fits with the Foundation’s guidelines. This opportunity is for direct-services and advocacy grants only. Applicants for the Episcopal Faith Communities Grant can find information here.
We support high quality direct-service programs for children ages 0-12 in the areas of early childhood and youth development as well as advocacy efforts that raise the level of public awareness and commitment to the well-being of children.
Advocacy
The Sheltering Arms Foundation’s vision of success is that the opportunity gap will be significantly diminished because broad public will exists to make investments to assure that all Minnesota children succeed in school and life. To achieve this goal, we fund advocacy efforts that increase access to high quality, culturally appropriate early childhood care and education and youth development/out of school time opportunities.
We fund political networks, coalitions and campaigns that lobby, advocate and organize for children’s early learning and life success.
Early Childhood
The Sheltering Arms Foundation’s vision of success is that all Minnesota children with the least access to resources are socially and emotionally, as well as physically and cognitively ready for kindergarten. To achieve this goal, we fund high quality culturally appropriate early childhood programs that support children’s social, emotional, physical and academic development with strong family engagement strategies. Eligible programs include innovative early care and education, targeted home visiting and parent education, or early childhood mental health programs.
A high quality early care and education program has the following elements:
A 3 or 4 star Parent Aware rating or is on a pathway to attain itA research based high quality curriculumOpportunities for family engagement in programmingQuality assessment tools where data informs program improvementAccess to professional development for staff that supports growth in their job in areas such as: program design, evaluation and assessment, inter-cultural skills, and child development.
A high quality parent education and targeted home visiting program has the following elements:
A focus on strength-based whole child and family development that includes cognitive, physical, social and emotional developmentA research based high quality curriculum and evidenced based modelA parent-child interaction componentActive involvement of parents/caregivers in their child’s learning processIntensity and duration of contact appropriate for goals of the programQuality assessment tools where data informs program improvementAccess to professional development for staff that supports growth in their job in areas such as: program design, evaluation and assessment, inter-cultural skills, and child development.
A high quality early childhood mental health program has the following elements:
Priority given to mental health programs that align with high quality early care education and targeted home visiting programsPrimary focus on RelationshipsCulturally appropriate interventionsResearch based high quality methodologyOpportunities for family engagement in programmingInitial assessment of each child including for trauma and chronic stressIntensity and duration of client services appropriate to the goals of the interventionQuality assessment tools where data informs program improvementAccess to professional development for staff that supports growth in their job in areas such as: new developments in early childhood mental health treatments, program design, evaluation and assessment, and inter-cultural skills.
Youth Development
The Sheltering Arms Foundation’s vision of success is that all Minnesota children are socially, emotionally, physically, and academically prepared to succeed by 7th grade. To achieve this goal, we fund high-quality, culturally appropriate youth development programs for 5-12-year-olds that support children’s social, emotional, physical, and academic development with strong family engagement strategies.
Eligible programs are out-of-school time and mentoring programs in school-based, community, or affordable housing locations. Please note these activities must occur before or after school, not during school hours.
A high-quality youth development program should include the following elements:
Sequential activities that teach skillsActive and experiential learningFocused and explicit skill developmentDevelopmentally and culturally appropriate program designIntensity and duration of contactSocial and Emotional Learning competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making)Opportunities for family involvement and participation in programmingQuality assessment tools where data informs program improvementAccess to professional development for staff that supports growth in areas such as youth programming, evaluation and assessment, intercultural skills, and program design.

Eligibility

IRS classification as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization that is not a private foundation.Located and provide services within the state of Minnesota.

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not fund the same program for more than three consecutive years. We do not fund the following:General operating support
Individuals, fundraising events, or scholarships
Public agencies or school districts.