Grant Opportunity

Core Implementation Team

Applicants must apply as a Core Implementation Team that includes leadership and/or senior staff from the following governmental agencies/entities or their applicable equivalents in the applicant’s geography (state/locality/municipality/territory/tribal community). We acknowledge the various governance structures of tribal nations and will entertain proposals that reflect the relevant context.

1. 1. The fiscal entity that controls the administrative budget such as the Office of Management and Budget (or equivalent)
   2. The administrative entity with authority over child care funding
   3. The administrative entity with authority over public education funding
   4. The administrative entity with authority over preschool/pre-kindergarten programs and funding
   5. The administrative entity with authority over higher education programming and/or funding
   6. The administrative entity with authority over any state/local/municipal/territory/or tribal Special Revenue Funds (if applicable)

Aside from the Core Implementation Team, additional partnership members may include others with authority over other programs and funding streams targeted to children prenatal to age eight. There is no limit on the number of partners that may comprise a proposed partnership, however the partnership must demonstrate a commitment to working together to permanently transform the ECE finance and compensation systems.

advisory body

The Core Implementation Team must identify and work with an advisory body to meaningfully engage in project design and implementation. Preferably, an existing advisory body will be identified and leveraged for this grant, such as a Workforce Council or the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (SAC), or equivalent. If no existing structure can be leveraged, then a new structure may be proposed.

For more information on the Core Implementation Team, additional partners, and advisory body, see the “Fiscal and Program Partnership Approach” section of the RFP (page 8).

To be eligible to apply for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:  

• Applicants may apply from any state, locality, municipality, territory, or tribal community. We acknowledge the varied governance structures in tribal communities and will entertain proposals that reflect the relevant context needed to accomplish the grant goals.
• Applicants must apply as a partnership that includes a Core Implementation Team that must include leadership and/or senior staff from the following governmental agencies/entities or their applicable equivalents in the applicant’s context: 

1. 1. 1. The fiscal entity that controls the administrative budget such as the Office of Management and Budget (or equivalent) 
      2. The administrative entity with authority over child care funding 
      3. The administrative entity with authority over public education funding 
      4. The administrative entity with authority over preschool/pre-kindergarten programs and funding
      5. The administrative entity with authority over higher education programs and/or funding
      6. The administrative entity with authority over any Special Revenue Funds (if applicable) 

• Applicants must identify an advisory body, such as a Workforce Council or State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (SAC), or equivalent, constituting representatives of early educators, employers, higher education institutions, and other community members that will inform the project design and implementation.  
• Applicants must meet the matching funds requirements described in the RFP. 
• Applicants must not use funding for lobbying. Per the policies of The Collaborative’s fiscal sponsor, Third Sector New England (TSNE), grantees cannot use funds pursuant to this procurement for lobbying or to influence legislation, as defined by the IRS. 

Please contact us with any questions regarding eligibility for this grant opportunity: info@earlyedcollaborative.org

Applicants should submit the following materials to info@earlyedcollaborative.org by Monday, June 5, 2023, 11:59 pm local time: 

• Responses to the RFP questions in a Microsoft Word document. 
• A completed budget worksheet and budget narrative (included as Appendix B in the RFP and available for download here) as a Microsoft Excel file.
• Within the budget narrative, a description of how you will meet the 10% matching funds requirement.
• Signed letters of commitment from entities providing the matching funds. 
• A Statement of Commitment* signed by all team members (included as Appendix C and available for download here)
• A signed letter of commitment to participate in the Community of Practice (included as Appendix D and available for download here)
• A completed Implementation Team Contact Information Worksheet (included as Appendix E and available for download here) as a Microsoft Excel file.

*previously referred to as “Memorandum of Understanding”

Applications that do not respond to all RFP questions, do not include signed commitment letters, or are not received by 11:59 pm local time on Monday, June 5, 2023, will not be considered.   

Applicants will receive a confirmation email within three business days of submitting their application.   

Download and complete the RFP appendices as part of the application materials:

• APPENDIX A: Recommended Resources
• APPENDIX B: Budget Worksheet & Budget Narrative
• APPENDIX C: Statement of Commitment (signed by all team members; previously referred to as “Memorandum of Understanding”)
• APPENDIX D: Community of Practice Letter of Commitment (signed by lead applicant)
• APPENDIX E: Core Implementation Team Contact Information Worksheet

The Collaborative hosted two webinars in February/March 2023 to address applicant questions. The webinar recordings are available below.

• Applicant Webinar 1: February 14, 2023
  • Webinar Recording

• Applicant Webinar 2: March 2, 2023
  • Webinar Recording

Download the slide deck here.

Download the FAQs for this grant opportunity here. We will update this document periodically throughout the application window.

Please contact us with any questions regarding this funding opportunity: info@earlyedcollaborative.org

To ensure you receive all future information and updates related to this opportunity, including FAQs and webinar recordings, please sign up for the opportunity’s email distribution list here.