Parents & Caregivers Organizing Fund

The Parents & Caregivers Organizing Fund is a grant program from Bread & Roses Community Fund, supported by local philanthropic partners including the Philadelphia Health Partnership. The fund is dedicated to supporting grassroots community groups working to address systemic issues within early childhood systems across Philadelphia. The goal is to foster meaningful community organizing that results in policy and systems changes that improve conditions for families with young children. This fund focuses on addressing challenges in early childhood systems that impact children from birth to age five. These years are crucial for a child’s development and lay the foundation for lifelong health, learning, and well-being. However, many families in Philadelphia face systemic barriers such as racism, classism, and economic insecurity, which limit access to vital services like childcare, early learning programs, healthcare, and home visiting resources. The fund aims to help communities organize to change these conditions. The fund has two primary priorities. The first is economic justice, acknowledging that over 20% of Philadelphians live in economic insecurity. Grassroots groups can apply for $15,000 grants to organize around issues affecting families with young children, such as housing, mental health, pay equity, and job development. Activities may include forming coalitions, building partnerships with service providers, expanding access to essential resources, and convening forums where families and local leaders collaborate to propose solutions. The second priority is building a coordinated ecosystem of support for caregivers. This priority focuses on strengthening local service delivery systems through community organizing that addresses key barriers to accessing childcare, healthy food, holistic health services, and other supports. Groups can apply for $15,000 grants to convene parents, caregivers, service providers, and community leaders to work together on improving local care infrastructure. Eligibility is limited to groups that meet Bread & Roses’ general eligibility criteria, have a clear strategy for advancing equitable access to early childhood systems, and focus on the root causes and effects of economic inequities for families with young children. Eligible groups must use community organizing strategies to create a more coordinated and responsive ecosystem of care. Priority consideration will be given to groups based in neighborhoods with high poverty rates. Applications are due by March 21, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by a Community Grantmaking Committee composed primarily of parents and caregivers. Grant awards will be announced in June 2025. Applicants can request optional 15-minute support appointments to receive assistance with the application process. For more information, applicants can contact Bread & Roses Community Fund at grants@breadrosesfund.org.