The Daniels Fund (CO, NM, UT, WY)

Daniels Fund Grants for Early Childhood Education

Helping children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn takes strong educators, effective programs, and engaged families. The Daniels Fund supports organizations working toward those outcomes in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Who may qualify?

The Daniels Fund considers organizations that serve communities in its four-state region, align with its funding priorities, and have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or government-equivalent status. It does not make grants to individuals or for-profit child care businesses. A child care program’s location alone does not establish eligibility; the applicant organization and proposed work must meet the Fund’s guidelines.

What could funding support?

Under its Early Childhood Education funding area, the Daniels Fund describes three priorities:

• Teacher and leadership quality: Training and support that help educators prepare children for kindergarten
• Program quality across multiple sites: Improvements to curriculum, materials, and resources
• Parent engagement: Helping families understand developmental milestones and support children’s learning

Organizations may request support for a specific program, general operations, or a capital campaign. The Fund looks for clear results, strong leadership, and a plan for sustaining the work. Any proposed expense must be reviewed as part of the organization’s grant request.

How do we apply?

Start with the official Daniels Fund grants page and complete its Grants Eligibility Quiz. If your organization appears to fit, follow the instructions for a grant inquiry. Full grant applications are by invitation only.

Organizations that received a Daniels Fund grant within the past two years should contact their program officer about reapplying. Invited applicants should confirm their submission timeline with that officer.

Support professional learning across your team

If educator development is part of your organization’s plan, explore ChildCareEd’s training subscriptions for access to online professional development. Describe any proposed training costs in your project budget and confirm their suitability with the Daniels Fund. A ChildCareEd subscription is not automatically covered by this grant.

Ready to explore a fit? Review the early childhood priorities, define the results your organization aims to achieve, and begin with the eligibility quiz on the official grants page.