Invites organizations to submit proposals focused on the development of Indiana’s youngest learners
Early Learning Indiana (ELI) announced Wednesday a second competitive grant opportunity through the Early Years Initiative, a program designed to help organizations in Indiana meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and surround Hoosier families with the resources to make the most of these crucial years of learning. The $50 million Early Years Initiative is generously funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.
“We only have a few short years to set our youngest Hoosiers on a path to thrive in life, and we are committed to ensuring they have opportunities for the best possible start,” ELI President & CEO Maureen Weber. “This second round of the Early Years Initiative grants will continue to accelerate the scaling of proven programs and bring innovative practices to Indiana – developing stronger and more resilient children who are ready to learn.”
Studies show that a child’s brain is hardest at work during the first three years of life, busy creating the foundation for all future learning capacity, social-emotional development, and mental and physical health. Through the Early Years Initiative, ELI already awarded 86 organizations $31 million in grants of up to $500,000 each to fund programs and projects that influence healthy brain development in young children and other aspects of their physical, social-emotional, and cognitive wellbeing. This second round of grants aims to fund the same kinds of programs and projects.
ELI expects to award grants ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 to support programs and projects that will be implemented during a grant period of up to three years. Organizations eligible in this initiative include social service providers, faith-based organizations, community foundations, United Ways, child care providers, school districts, higher education institutions and other not-for-profit organizations.
Eligible organizations can submit proposals to address a range of needs as varied as those of the infants and toddlers they serve. Examples may include strengthening families through home visits, ensuring access to supportive child care, bolstering development through early detection of developmental needs and disabilities and responsive interventions, and cultivating essential skills through early language programming, among others. The Early Years Initiative has a focus on the needs of children in low-income households, children from communities of color and children who are multi-language learners.
“The environment and experiences of a child’s first three years of life substantially influence cognitive social, emotional and physical development and often affect long term academic success and quality of life,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “They are especially important for children in economically disadvantaged households whose families often lack access to supportive programs and information about child development, both of which can make a big difference for parents and their children.”
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2024. ELI plans to announce funding decisions by Sept. 30, 2024. Learn more about the initiative and the application by visiting EarlyYearsInitiative.org.
The Early Years Initiative launched in March 2023, funded by a $55 million grant from Lilly Endowment, which included $50 million for grants and $5 million to help ELI administer the competitive initiative and provide technical assistance to organizations funded through it. Learn more about previously awarded organizations at earlylearningin.org/early-years-initiative/grantees.
About Early Learning Indiana
Early Learning Indiana is an expert and trusted voice on early childhood education that works statewide to provide leadership, advocacy and early childhood education services that continually improve the early learning landscape in Indiana. Early Learning Indiana operates 13 nationally accredited, high-quality Day Early Learning centers, a network of premier community-based centers used to advance the science of early learning, train the next generation of teachers and leaders, and instill knowledge and skills in the children we serve. Through regional and statewide programs, the organization works to ensure young children are empowered with essential skills to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Learn more at EarlyLearningIN.org.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.