Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is early learning?

Q: What are coalitions?

Q: How does Foundation for Early Learning define capacity building grants?

Q: Can you give an example of a coalition, including the group’s membership, focus, and some of the activities Foundation for Early Learning supported?

Q: Do you fund programs or projects?

Q: Do you provide scholarships (for example, preschool scholarships) to individuals?

Q: Do you allocate funding outside of Washington State?

Q: How do I get an official letter from the IRS documenting my fiscal sponsor’s tax exempt status?

Q: What is early learning?
A: For the purposes of the Foundation’s grantmaking, early learning is defined as birth to five.

Q: What are coalitions?
A: Coalitions are diverse groups of people dedicated to improving early learning.  Membership may include parents and caregivers, child care providers, schools, colleges, libraries, health providers, businesses, community organizations, tribes, and others who impact children. No agency or individual’s program, project, or agenda is prioritized.

Q: How does Foundation for Early Learning define capacity building grants?
A: Capacity building grants are strategic investments in the development and refinement of a coalition’s infrastructure; communications and funding plans; outreach and community engagement; expansion of membership; strategic planning; sustainability and other efforts. 

Q: Can you give an example of a coalition, including the group’s membership, focus, and some of the activities Foundation for Early Learning supported?
A:  Young Ones Early Learning Coalition is located in rural eastern Washington State. The group includes parents and caregivers; child care providers; school district staff (teachers and administrators); representatives from the local Native American tribe, library, health department, a local community-based organization (in this case, a Latino association), community college, government, businesses, and the local heath care network (pediatricians and others). 

Young Ones Early Learning Coalition formed with Foundation for Early Learning Stage One funding. Two parents, a child care provider, the local librarian, and a kindergarten teacher held a meeting to discuss early learning in their area. Specifically, they knew there were gaps in services for children birth to five, but weren’t sure what the gaps were. At the meeting, attendees shared their perceptions of early learning in their community, brainstormed community needs, created a list of organizations and individuals they thought should be represented at future meetings, and decided next steps.

Next, the group applied for and received a Foundation for Early Learning Stage Two grant to support its next phase of development. With Foundation for Early Leaning funds, in-kind, and other support, the group expanded its membership. Members invited the people on the list of potential participants and other interested parties to join the group.

The group then planned and hosted an event designed to raise awareness about early learning in the community. Non-early learning stakeholders including business leaders, government officials, and community members attended. Prior to the event, the group drafted a survey designed to gauge community members’ understanding of early learning, gaps in services, and interest in joining the ever-expanding coalition. They disseminated the survey at the event and other community gatherings. The group collected and synthesized the survey results and invited respondents who indicated an interest in early learning to be part of the group.

The event and survey helped the group attract additional members and gather data. They decided to create a more formal structure, including the development of strategic and action plans. They also began fundraising. They applied for and received a Foundation for Early Learning Stage Three grant. Additionally, they solicited funding from a local community foundation and a local business.

The group hired consultants to guide them through a strategic planning process. They used the Kids Matter framework as a basis for their plan. All coalition members participated in the planning process. They contributed their ideas and volunteered to take ownership of the coalition’s mission, goals, and activities. They also identified a first project that the coalition would launch as a group.

The coalition identified the project based on the community’s needs and the resources available. The community survey and other sources indicated that less than 50% of families with children birth to five visited the local library. It also indicated that many families weren’t accessing many free early learning programs and resources. They decided to launch the Little Learners at the Library project. The group solicited funding from local businesses and other organizations. They also applied for and received a Foundation for Early Learning Stage Four grant.

The project had three goals:

1. To increase the number of families with children birth to five who had library cards by 20%;
2. To increase the number of attendees at early learning programs (including a parenting class, story time, and play and learn group) by 30%. The programs were offered at the library to streamline services and keep costs low; and\
3. To ensure all families in the community were connected to services, resources, and information – including early learning tips, program offerings, and agencies and organizations providing support and assistance. The information was compiled into an early learning calendar and distributed to all families in the community with children birth to five.
   

The group evaluated the project and shared the successful outcomes with funders, community members, and others. The first project became an example of what kind of work the group could do together to advance early learning in the local community.

Using its strategic plan as a guide, the group continues to meet, launch projects, and generate and receive funding.

Q: Do you fund programs or projects?
A: Yes, Foundation for Early Learning provides grants of up to $1,500 for one time projects or start-up funds for new programs. The grant requires a minimum of three partners, have an emerging leader, and directly serve children and families. Please see our Community Action Project grants section.

Q: Do you provide scholarships (for example, preschool scholarships) to individuals?
A: No, Foundation for Early Learning does not provide scholarships to individual children or adults. 

Q: Do you allocate funding outside of Washington State?
A: No, Foundation for Early Learning makes investments in Washington State only.

Q: How do I get an official letter from the IRS documenting my fiscal sponsor’s tax exempt status?
A: The IRS will issue a letter documenting tax status.  If your group is a non-profit, click on http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506a.pdf.  The form can be mailed to:

Internal Revenue Service
Customer Service - TE/GE
P.O. Box 2508, Room 2023
Cincinnati, OH  45201

IRS phone number: 1.877.829.5500 

If your group is a government-related agency or organization, click here http://www.irs.gov/govt/fslg/article/0,,id=112708,00.html.