Primrose Schools Partnership for Children: Seed Grant Application

 

The Primrose Schools Partnership for Children, the charitable arm of Primrose Schools, is a not-for-profit organization that combines funding from Primrose schools and the National Support Center to make an impact locally, regionally and nationally through partnerships that improve early education, child care, health and family well-being. Formerly known as the Primrose Schools Children’s Foundation, the Partnership’s mission is to forge a path that leads to a brighter future for ALL children, especially those who are underserved.

The Primrose Schools Partnership for Children Seed Grant Opportunity is a chance for up to eight nonprofit organizations in key geographies to be awarded one-year mini-grants ranging in award from $15,000- $25,000.

The grant funding is for non-profits to implement, expand, or enhance access to high-quality early education opportunities for children from historically underinvested in communities, consistent with the Partnership’s mission.

Eligible Entities:

The Primrose Schools Partnership for Children does not typically award grant funding to:

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, including government agencies and for-profit entities
• Organizations with an annual operating budget below $1M
• Organizations less than five years from formation

While the Partnership for Children does invest in conferences and learning opportunities, construction and land acquisition for non-profit early learning providers, public advocacy, and research efforts as part of its broader strategic plan, this grant opportunity is directed towards direct programming and service delivery.

Definitions for Purposes of this Grant:

For the purposes of this grant, “children from historically underinvested in communities” refers to children ages birth to five living in low-income households. Our recommended definitions are either 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) or the Federal Poverty Level. All applicants must demonstrate how funds will reach this population. Applicants are also encouraged to share how they will also reach children from at least one additional priority area:

• Children with disabilities or developmental delays
• Children whose families experience barriers related to healthcare access or other social determinants of well-being

Nonprofit applicants must clearly demonstrate how the funds will be used to serve populations that meet this definition.

For the purposes of this grant “early learning” refers to the comprehensive development and education of children from birth to age five that encompasses the experiences, relationships, and supports that foster young children’s cognitive, social emotional, and physical development and occurs across a wide range of environments. This includes families themselves, as well as traditional early childhood education settings such as Early Head Start, Head Start, child care centers, family child care homes, and trusted community caregivers, and also can encompass other spaces where young children and families naturally gather such as libraries, pediatrician offices, community centers, and other family serving locations.

Grant Timeline:

• Monday, April 20, 2026: Application Launch
• Throughout May, 2026: Application Office Hours
  • Friday, May 1, 2026 12:00 PM | Eastern Time (US & Canada) Register Here
  • Monday, May 4, 2026 3PM | Eastern Time (US & Canada) Register Here
• Monday, June 8, 2026: Application closes at 5pm EST.
• No later than July 17, 2026: Selected organizations will be invited to submit additional Information focused on program outcomes, measurement, community partnerships, and long-term impact.
• No later than August 21, 2026: Funding decisions communicated to applicants.
• September 2026: Funds disbursed to selected non-profit organizations.

 

Application Form