WACF Opportunity Gap Grant

The WACF Opportunity Gap Grant aims to address the disparities in opportunities for children and families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. By funding innovative projects focused on early childhood education, K-12 engagement, and support for stable families, this grant encourages the development of essential life skills. Organizations in Kandiyohi County, MN, are invited to apply for funding to create impactful programs that promote success and inclusion for underserved youth, with a maximum capital grant of $20,000.

About This Grant
The Opportunity Gap refers to vast and growing differences in opportunities available to poor and well-off children and families nationwide. These include quality early childhood education, to Advanced Placement courses in high school, to sport and enrichment activities that provide mentoring, teambuilding and other life-long skills they need to be good citizens and good employees. The WACF seeks to make a variety of smaller grants to support the five building blocks to help our children succeed. The focus areas include projects that address career on-ramps for success, engagement in the K-12 years, high quality early childhood education, safe and caring communities, and/or stable families and parenting.
What We Fund
New or expanded programs/projects.Capital funding can be requested during this round but only for projects that are solely focused on children, youth and families. Capital grants maximum is $20,000 one time for a project.
Focus Areas
Addressing the Achievement Gap for our YouthAddress access to quality early childhood programming and address barriers to access.Projects that improve access to enrichment activities for low income and underserved children.Projects that provide ‘on ramps’ for skills, training and experiences beyond a four year college prep focus including apprenticeships, skills training, innovative programming, etc.Career On-Ramps for SuccessEngagement in the K-12 YearsHigh Quality Early Childhood EducationSafe and Caring CommunitiesStable Family and Parenting

Eligibility

Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, schools or government entities.Geographic Area: Kandiyohi County in MinnesotaOrganizations may only submit one grant application per year per grant round.

Ineligibility

What We Don't Fund:Individuals
Religious organizations for religious purposes View our Funding for Faith-Based Organizations PolicyPolitical organizations or political campaigns.
Debt retirement or deficit financing
Projects or portions of projects that have already been completed