Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education & Development

The Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education and Development, created by Mark and Jane Berkley, aims to support initiatives that enhance early childhood education and development for children aged 0-6 in Saline and Ottawa Counties, Kansas. The fund's objective is to better prepare children for kindergarten, recognizing that early education is crucial for long-term academic and social success. Research underscores that children who begin school with a solid foundation are less likely to need special education services, more likely to graduate, and more likely to achieve stable employment in adulthood. Conversely, children who start kindergarten with limited reading skills or other developmental delays often struggle to catch up with their peers. The fund supports organizations and programs that address the comprehensive needs of young children, including education, health, safety, and human services, with the ultimate goal of school readiness. It prioritizes projects that work with children who face significant barriers to learning, such as poverty, which can negatively impact a child's early development and future academic performance. Programs that focus on overcoming these barriers and fostering an environment conducive to early learning are given special consideration during the grant evaluation process. Eligible applicants for this grant are organizations operating within Saline and Ottawa Counties. These include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, governmental entities, and other qualifying organizations. Programs should directly benefit young children in these geographic areas by providing services that prepare them for a successful transition into kindergarten. The fund is especially interested in supporting initiatives that provide targeted assistance to children facing economic or social disadvantages. The grant does not support projects outside the specified counties or requests that do not directly relate to the early childhood age group or kindergarten preparedness. Applicants are encouraged to ensure their projects align with the fund's mission and the outlined criteria. Ineligible projects may include those unrelated to early childhood education, as well as any proposals that fail to meet the application requirements. Applications for the grant are submitted through the Greater Salina Community Foundation's online grant system. For more information or assistance with the application process, potential applicants can contact Jessica Fuller, the Director of Grants and Scholarships, at 785-823-1800. The fund seeks to make a meaningful impact on early childhood development by addressing educational disparities at a critical stage in children's lives.