Deadline Date: April 10, 2026
The Promise Fund Build Award offers flexible funding and a year-long partnership to help early-stage, proximate-led early childhood organizations accelerate their growth and expand their impact in their communities.
The opportunity focuses on organizations that intentionally pursue more equitable outcomes for young children, their families, and caregivers, present innovative and compelling approaches to creating positive change, demonstrate early evidence supporting their impact and business models, and show readiness to make significant progress with additional capital. It also prioritizes leaders who are deeply connected to the communities they serve, act as self-motivated and creative problem solvers with a bias toward action, work collaboratively with community members while centering community voices, and integrate justice, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and healing into their approach.
The Build Award provides selected organizations with $200,000 in flexible funding that can be used at their discretion to advance their organizational goals and strengthen their impact. This funding is designed to help early-stage organizations move toward their next phase of growth while building a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability.
In addition to financial support, recipients participate in a 12-month partnership with the Promise team. Through direct one-on-one engagement, organizations receive guidance to refine their impact strategies, explore and strengthen their business models, and gain access to meaningful connections and resources that support their development.
The program also includes an in-person convening that brings together participating organizations for a multi-day gathering. This event provides space for peer connection, reflective learning, and collaborative support among leaders who share a commitment to improving outcomes for young children and families.
Capacity-building support is also provided to help organizations make measurable progress toward self-determined goals related to team development, impact measurement, and organizational growth. This support is designed to strengthen internal systems and prepare organizations to secure additional funding in the future.
After completing the program, organizations continue to benefit from alumni support, including ongoing access to a peer community and resources that encourage continued learning, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
For more information, visit The Promise Fund.
