JUF Early Childhood Centers Expanding Capacity Grants
The Jewish United Fund (JUF) is pleased to announce the FY26 Expanding Capacity grant cycle, designed to help early childhood centers (ECCs) increase enrollment capacity where demand exceeds supply. Please note: This grant process is by invitation only.
For guidance on proposal ideas, you are encouraged to connect with Kate Warach, JUF’s Assistant Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives, at katewarach@juf.org. This conversation can help ensure your proposal aligns with the grant’s objectives. For technical assistance with SM Apply, please reach out to Alex Goodman, JUF's Planning and Grants Manager, at alexgoodman@juf.org.
Funding will be available through two types of grants:
- Program Grants – Up to $100,000 for ECC centers with a clear, actionable plan for expansion and readiness to implement changes.
- Planning Grants – Up to $25,000 for ECC centers exploring expansion options and developing actionable strategies.
Program Grants
- Relocation to a Different Location: Supporting ECCs that seek to move to a larger or more suitable space to accommodate additional classrooms, expand age group offerings (ex: infant care), or meet licensing requirements (ex: moving expenses, furnishing and equipment for the new space.)
- Physical Enhancement of Existing Space: Renovating or repurposing current facilities to build capacity such as adding classrooms or to meet regulatory standards.
- Furnishing & Equipment: Purchasing classroom furniture and other equipment/materials necessary to open new classrooms or expand existing ones.
Program grants cannot be used to acquire new space or support new staffing expenses.
Planning Grants
- Feasibility Studies & Needs Assessment: Analyzing demographic data to understand community demand, conducting surveys or focus groups with current and prospective families, hiring consultants or architects to evaluate physical space options, and assessing licensing or zoning requirements for potential expansion.
- Strategic Planning Support: Engaging a facilitator to lead strategic planning sessions with ECC leadership, developing multi-year growth plans, building budget projections for expanded operations, and consulting legal experts on compliance, licensing, and lease agreements.
- Partnership Exploration: Supporting outreach efforts to gauge interest in expanded offerings, exploring collaborations with synagogues, schools, or other community organizations, and assessing opportunities for shared space or co-location.
Additional Information
- Organizations may apply for either a program grant or a planning grant.
- All applications must be submitted via SurveyMonkey Apply.
- Awarded grantees are required to complete grant reporting and contribute to the Early Childhood Collaborative’s data collection for FY27 (ECE Census, Financial Benchmarking, Staff Satisfaction, and Parent Satisfaction surveys)
JUF Early Childhood Centers Expanding Capacity Grants
JUF Early Childhood Centers Expanding Capacity Grants
The Jewish United Fund (JUF) is pleased to announce the FY26 Expanding Capacity grant cycle, designed to help early childhood centers (ECCs) increase enrollment capacity where demand exceeds supply. Please note: This grant process is by invitation only.
For guidance on proposal ideas, you are encouraged to connect with Kate Warach, JUF’s Assistant Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives, at katewarach@juf.org. This conversation can help ensure your proposal aligns with the grant’s objectives. For technical assistance with SM Apply, please reach out to Alex Goodman, JUF's Planning and Grants Manager, at alexgoodman@juf.org.
Funding will be available through two types of grants:
- Program Grants – Up to $100,000 for ECC centers with a clear, actionable plan for expansion and readiness to implement changes.
- Planning Grants – Up to $25,000 for ECC centers exploring expansion options and developing actionable strategies.
Program Grants
- Relocation to a Different Location: Supporting ECCs that seek to move to a larger or more suitable space to accommodate additional classrooms, expand age group offerings (ex: infant care), or meet licensing requirements (ex: moving expenses, furnishing and equipment for the new space.)
- Physical Enhancement of Existing Space: Renovating or repurposing current facilities to build capacity such as adding classrooms or to meet regulatory standards.
- Furnishing & Equipment: Purchasing classroom furniture and other equipment/materials necessary to open new classrooms or expand existing ones.
Program grants cannot be used to acquire new space or support new staffing expenses.
Planning Grants
- Feasibility Studies & Needs Assessment: Analyzing demographic data to understand community demand, conducting surveys or focus groups with current and prospective families, hiring consultants or architects to evaluate physical space options, and assessing licensing or zoning requirements for potential expansion.
- Strategic Planning Support: Engaging a facilitator to lead strategic planning sessions with ECC leadership, developing multi-year growth plans, building budget projections for expanded operations, and consulting legal experts on compliance, licensing, and lease agreements.
- Partnership Exploration: Supporting outreach efforts to gauge interest in expanded offerings, exploring collaborations with synagogues, schools, or other community organizations, and assessing opportunities for shared space or co-location.
Additional Information
- Organizations may apply for either a program grant or a planning grant.
- All applications must be submitted via SurveyMonkey Apply.
- Awarded grantees are required to complete grant reporting and contribute to the Early Childhood Collaborative’s data collection for FY27 (ECE Census, Financial Benchmarking, Staff Satisfaction, and Parent Satisfaction surveys)