The Early Childhood Grant for 2024-25, offered by the Portland Children’s Levy (PCL), supports programs serving children from prenatal to age five within Portland. With a funding range of $11.9 to $13.2 million for a 36-month period, grants will cover services from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. Each applicant may request between $300,000 and $4.5 million, ensuring their grant proposal does not exceed 30% of the organization’s previous fiscal year revenue. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and collaborations involving a lead fiscal agent.

Grant proposals must address at least one of PCL’s funding priorities, which include family assistance in child behavior and development, emotional skills for children, support for parents of children with disabilities or delays, and pre/post-natal education. Proposals should demonstrate alignment with community needs, engagement, and culturally responsive practices. Programs should prioritize accessibility, including service delivery in multiple languages and adaptations for children with disabilities. However, funding for preschool-age childcare or classroom services is excluded due to other existing initiatives.

Applicants must register with the WebGrants system by October 21, 2024, and submit their applications by November 4, 2024. Submissions must include a narrative section detailing organizational purpose, program design, and budget justification. Required materials also involve organization-wide budgets and, if available, recent audited financial statements. If audits have not been conducted, grantees must budget for one by September 2026, with PCL reimbursing up to $15,000 for the audit cost.

The application process includes pre-application information sessions, review by volunteer panels, and recommendations made to a Community Council and Allocation Committee. Final decisions will be based on scoring criteria focused on organizational impact, program design, budget justifications, and alignment with PCL’s priorities for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applicants will be notified of funding outcomes following approval by the Portland City Council in May 2025.

Programs selected for funding must meet reporting requirements and adhere to the City of Portland’s rules for equity in employment and contracting. Grantees should demonstrate a commitment to community feedback and continuous improvement to ensure services meet the evolving needs of children and families in Portland.