Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood Incubator Program

The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood provides targeted funding for innovative projects aimed at improving the welfare of young children in the United States, from infancy through age seven. Established in 2014 through a bequest from Theresa Caplan, the Foundation reflects the lifelong dedication of Frank and Theresa Caplan to early childhood development, educational research, and imaginative play. Their legacy began with Creative Playthings, a company they co-founded in 1949 that was influential in designing educational toys and early learning environments in collaboration with artists, architects, and child development experts. The Foundation operates as an incubator, offering seed funding to imaginative, research-based initiatives with the potential for national impact. These projects must demonstrate a strong likelihood of benefiting other professionals in the field and contributing to the broader welfare and development of young children. The definition of welfare is intentionally broad and includes support, acculturation, societal integration, and childcare. Grantmaking is focused in three key areas: Parenting Education, Early Childhood Welfare, and Early Childhood Education and Play. Projects may include those that provide cognitive and emotional support to parents, enhance culturally responsive childrearing practices, or develop imaginative play materials and innovative curricula. Emphasis is placed on programs that challenge conventional thinking, introduce fresh concepts, and exhibit a defined implementation strategy. The Foundation does not fund programs outside of the United States, capital equipment purchases or renovations, ongoing operations or expansions of existing programs, single events, artistic creations, or initiatives run by individuals, for-profit businesses, or religious/political entities. It also does not support projects benefiting children living abroad or those that involve general medical research. Indirect expenses may be funded up to a maximum of 15% of direct costs, and only first-year funding is provided for multi-year projects. Applications are accepted through a two-step process starting with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). The LOI must follow a specific format and be submitted by email, including details such as the organization’s mission, IRS tax-exempt status, budget, requested funding amount, other sources of support, a 1,000-word narrative of the proposed work, and how it aligns with the Foundation’s guidelines. The next LOI deadline is September 30, 2025. If the LOI is accepted, applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Written inquiries should be directed to Amanda Liedtka, CPA, at P.O. Box 746, Lock Haven, PA 17745. For electronic submissions, applicants must email info@earlychildhoodfoundation.org using "Letter of Inquiry" in the subject line. The Foundation does not publicly list award dates, but past recipients have included major universities and research institutions receiving funding for technology-integrated parent education, AI in early learning, and play-based learning research, with award amounts ranging from approximately $44,000 to $75,000.

Adherence to the LOI format is mandatory. Failure to comply with the numbered format will result in disqualification. The Foundation prefers novel, bold, and research-based ideas.