[SouthCoast Community Foundation](https://southcoastcf.org)

March 31, 2026 (Full application deadline for Spring 2026 Grant Cycle)

Program support grants up to $4,500; one-year grant period typical.

Supports initiatives that enhance early care and education quality, access, and sustainability in Greater New Bedford.

Only program support requests are eligible; general operating/capital requests not accepted for this fund.

--- ## Description The Temple Fawcett Early Care and Education Fund, administered by the SouthCoast Community Foundation, provides targeted grants to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen early care and education in the Greater New Bedford area. The fund aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of early childhood programs by supporting initiatives such as parent education, staff development, advocacy for quality care, improved staff compensation, affordability for families, and facility upgrades directly related to early childhood education. Only program support requests are eligible under this fund. --- ## Due Dates - March 31, 2026: Full application deadline for the Spring 2026 Grant Cycle (applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm) --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum grant size: $4,500 per program support request. - Funds are distributed upfront upon award. - Grant period is typically one year from award date (expected June 2026 – June 2027). - Organizations may apply for up to three distinct initiatives within a single application, but each request is capped at $4,500 for this fund. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status. - Programs must serve the Greater New Bedford area (including New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, Marion, Westport, and Rochester). - Eligible applicants may be headquartered outside the region if their programs directly benefit SouthCoast communities. - Only program support requests are eligible for this fund (general operating, capacity-building, or strictly capital requests are not). - Grants may support: - Parent education initiatives - Staff professional development - Advocacy for quality early care and education - Projects to improve compensation for staff and affordability for families - Facility improvements that directly enhance early childhood education quality --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted through the [SouthCoast Community Foundation Online Grants Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog/Index?urlkey=cfsema). - Use the Universal Grant Application for the Spring 2026 Cycle; select “Program/Project Support” and indicate the Temple Fawcett Early Care and Education Fund. - Required information includes: - Organization mission and focus area - Geographic and population details - Description of the program/project and funding request (including amount, impact, outcomes, and timeline) - Budget rationale and contingency plan if full funding is not secured - Up to three program/project support requests may be included in a single application. - Information sessions are available before the deadline (see below for details). --- ## Additional Information - Information sessions for the Spring 2026 Grant Cycle will be held throughout March 2026, including both virtual and hybrid options. [Register for information sessions](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southcoast-community-foundations-spring-grant-round-information-sessions-tickets-1983686521786?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true). - The Nonprofit Resilience Network (NRN) offers additional non-financial support such as learning opportunities and organizational development resources. [Learn more about NRN](https://southcoastcf.org/learn/nrn/). - Grants are not available to individuals or for-profit businesses. - Final funding decisions are announced by May 31, 2026. --- ## External Links - [Program Guidelines & Application Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog/Index?urlkey=cfsema) - [SouthCoast Community Foundation Grants Page](https://southcoastcf.org/receive/apply-for-grants/) - [Information Session Registration](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southcoast-community-foundations-spring-grant-round-information-sessions-tickets-1983686521786?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) - [Nonprofit Resilience Network](https://southcoastcf.org/learn/nrn/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Online Contact Form | |------------------------|----------------------------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------| | SouthCoast Community Foundation | inquiry@southcoastcf.org | 508-996-8253 | [Contact Us](https://southcoastcf.org/learn/contact-us/) |

Temple Fawcett Early Care and Education Fund

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