CARE Innovation Fund
The Children Advocacy & Racial Equity (CARE) Innovation Fund will provide funding for teachers who have innovative ideas that will advocate for children’ learning inside and outside of their classrooms and support anti-bias and racial equity education in their programs. Some innovative examples that teachers can apply for may focus on updating your book/library and adding all diverse books; planning a family education night with a DEI ECE leader; renovating their classroom with more diverse materials; or an advocacy event to meet with your state legislators. Your donation will support purchasing of materials needed to meet the innovation goals as well as support funding to consult with early learning experts and leaders across our State to meet directly with the teacher and their program to support them in meeting their innovation goals.
Children Can't Wait and Teachers Need Us NOW!
When children have access to high-quality early learning opportunities, they are ready for learning and have better outcomes later in life. Early childhood teachers play a critical role in creating these opportunities for children to thrive now and later in life. $1 invested in early childhood education programs yields $16 return. We know that when we focus on opportunities that center equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging and challenge systemic barriers then we can be certain that each child will be set up for success. Therefore, a small investment in early learning is an investment in our future communities.
WAEYC’s Children Advocacy & Racial Equity (CARE) Innovation Fund is our investment to support teachers now! Our CARE Innovation Fund will provide funding for teachers who have innovative ideas and projects that center advocacy for children’s learning inside and outside of their classrooms and support anti-bias and racial equity education in their programs. Your donation will support purchasing of materials needed to meet the innovation goals as well as support funding to consult with early learning experts and leaders across our State to meet directly with the teacher and their programs to support them in meeting their innovation goals! Through individual donations, the CARE Innovation Fund will support projects identified by our teachers to ensure high-quality early learning experiences and environments for the young children in their classrooms.
Apply for Funding
WAEYC’s Children Advocacy & Racial Equity (CARE) Innovation Fund is committed to investing in and supporting teachers who are dedicated to making a positive impact on children’s learning experiences both inside and outside of their classrooms. The innovations must center anti-bias and racial equity education in early childhood programs. If you are a passionate teacher with innovative ideas to advance these goals, we invite you to apply for the CARE Innovation Fund.
Application Guidelines
Please carefully read and follow these guidelines when completing your application.
Submission Instructions
Using this form, share your idea to innovate your practice or classroom in service of educational equity and justice. Please address each question in the form before submitting. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Thank you for your dedication to promoting children’s advocacy, learning, and racial equity in early childhood education. We look forward to reviewing your innovative project and contributing to your efforts through the CARE Innovation Fund.
For inquiries or assistance, please contact waeyc@waeyc.org .
Eligibility Criteria:
**Applicants must be teachers or educators working with young children.
**Projects must align with the goals of advancing children’s advocacy, learning about anti-bias and racial equity education.
**The project must have a direct impact on children’s learning (e.g. classroom organization, classroom resources & materials, teacher professional development) or the early learning program’s community.
Application Deadline:
Applications for the CARE Innovation Fund are accepted on a rolling basis September through May. Applications will be accepted and reviewed continuously rather than during a fixed window of time. Review of applications will be the first week of each month.
Funding Amount:
The CARE Innovation Fund will provide grants depending on the amounts applicants are requesting.
