Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood Grant Program

The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering innovation and improvement in the lives of children from birth through age seven within the United States. Established in 2014 through the estate of Theresa Caplan, the Foundation carries forward the legacy of Frank and Theresa Caplan—pioneers in early childhood development and creators of Creative Playthings, a company renowned for its educational toys and curriculum tools. The Foundation continues their vision by acting as an incubator for research and development projects that demonstrate national relevance and significant potential to enhance the welfare of young children. Grants are offered to support early-stage ideas with the potential to generate widespread interest and practical application among professionals in child welfare, parenting, and early education. The Foundation considers projects only when there is a strong likelihood that a successful outcome would directly benefit children and inspire broader implementation or research. Seed funding is provided for projects that push conceptual and methodological boundaries in early childhood care and education, and which reflect thoughtful innovation rather than replication of existing ideas. Funding is awarded in three distinct focus areas: Parenting Education, Early Childhood Welfare, and Early Childhood Education and Play. In Parenting Education, grants support programs that inform caregivers on child development, health, prenatal care, cultural parenting approaches, and pedagogical strategies. The Early Childhood Welfare category promotes safe, nurturing, and socially integrative environments, seeking best practices and models for childcare. Meanwhile, the Education and Play category aims to elevate teaching quality and learning experiences through imaginative materials, curricula, and pedagogical research. The Foundation strictly limits what it funds. It will not support projects located outside the U.S., those focused on capital expenditures, religious or political activities, medical research applicable to adults, single events, or any work tied to for-profit organizations or individuals. Furthermore, it does not allow funding of indirect costs beyond 15% of direct project expenses and does not provide multi-year funding. It will only support the first year of a multi-year project, encouraging grantees to secure diversified support for extended initiatives. The grant application process begins with a mandatory Letter of Inquiry (LOI), due May 31, 2026. This letter must follow a specific format and include the applicant’s organizational information, tax-exempt documentation, funding request, project narrative, and details on how the proposal aligns with the Foundation’s guidelines and innovation standards. Only those invited based on their LOI will be permitted to submit a Full Proposal. LOIs must be emailed directly to [email protected] with “Letter of Inquiry” in the subject line. Applications are reviewed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, who assess the project’s alignment with programmatic priorities, national applicability, and originality. Written correspondence should be directed to Amanda Liedtka, CPA, at P.O. Box 746, Lock Haven, PA, 17745. This highly selective process is intended to maximize the impact of the Foundation’s limited funding capacity by identifying novel, high-potential ideas that may shape the future of early childhood welfare and education in the United States.

Ensure your LOI strictly follows format; proposals must align with defined categories; avoid submitting ineligible or repetitive projects.