The grant proposal submission period for the Cenla Early Childhood Education Access Grant is open. Follow the link for more information and to apply.
Children who attend high-quality early care and education programs enter kindergarten better prepared, have fewer referrals to special education services, fewer grade retentions, and increased likelihood to graduate high school. Unfortunately, in The Rapides Foundation service area only 31% of low-income children under age four have access to publicly funded programs. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide Early Childhood Network Lead Agencies with local funds needed to utilize the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund. The Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund offers local entities in Louisiana a dollar-for-dollar match on investments made to expand access to quality early care and education for children who need it most. These funds can only be used to support scholarships for families with children birth-to-three that need assistance. An Early Childhood Lead Agency can request funds from the State and must make this request by September of each year. The Foundation recognizes that rural districts have limited capacity to plan and raise local funds in such a short period of time. This funding opportunity provides funds for three years to be used as the local match. This will allow agencies to show the value of the program and develop a long-term plan for sustainability while increasing access for families that need it the most.
Grant awards will be based on the number of seats each network can provide. It is a tiered funding structure that includes a base funding rate that will decrease each year and 1:1 incentive funds that will increase each year. The 1:1 incentive funds are contingent on local fundraising and will provide a dollar-for-dollar match to local funds raised. The base funding is not contingent upon fundraising. See the Request for Proposals in the Key Materials section for more information.
Funds are available for three academic years starting with the 2025-26 school year. Funds will provide a base rate of 75% of the needed match in Year 1, 50% in Year 2 and 25% in Year 3. The remaining incentive funds are available for a dollar-for-dollar match to local funds raised.
The primary applicant (grant fiscal agent) must meet the following requirements:
Proposals should be submitted using The Rapides Foundaton’s online application portal. To start a new application, use the Start a New Application button in the right column. Once an application has been started, use the Return to My Application button in the right column or click on Grantee Login which is at the bottom of every page of the Foundation’s website. Applicants should thoroughly review the detailed Request for Proposals and supporting documents prior to proposal submission. (See Key Materials in right column.) Interested applicants are encouraged to contact The Rapides Foundation for guidance before submitting their proposal package. Contact information is located in the right column.
Key Dates
Proposal deadline: Friday, August 23, 2024, no later than 4:00 p.m. CT
Important Note: The proposal must be fully submitted by the application due date, therefore, you must begin uploading the completed proposal and supporting documents prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. We suggest you allow a minimum of three (3) hours for the upload process
Please review thoroughly before applying.
For questions related to this funding opportunity, contact:
Ashley StewartDirector of Programs