RCCF is a pooled funding initiative of the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC), spearheaded in 2018 by five ECFC member foundations. Our contributors include both national and geographically-focused foundations. We also leverage investments from close to 20 state and local funders that already invest in our grantees.
National Pooled Fund Members
In our first phase, we raised $1.9 million for the pool and awarded grants to nine community organizing groups working to increase equitable access to high quality child care for families across the country. This initial Request for Proposals process attracted applications requesting three times the funding we had raised.
As foundations reacted to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child care and families, and sought to address the deep racial inequities that came into focus, the RCCF grew significantly in 2020. The RCCF pooled fund now includes support from twelve national foundations, and close to 20 local foundations provide matching support to our grantees. We have been able to renew our commitment to our first cohort of grantees, and expand our support for organizing in 14 states and the District of Columbia, including ten BIPOC/ALAANA led groups. At the same time, the RCCF is coordinating with a growing national movement to make child care a public good, rather than solely personal responsibility.
Opportunities for Funders to Get Involved
Contribute to the national pooled fund and help shape RCCF strategy.
Participate in our learning community on grant-making to grassroots organizations and building the power of authentic voices in communities.
Identify or support effective grassroots groups that center authentic voices.
The philanthropic community can play a vital role in making access to high-quality child care more equitable by centering those most impacted in the solution. Building the base of people engaged in calling for child care reform and public investment requires skilled organizers who can build strong, trusting relationships rooted in communities. Multi-year funding is required to ensure these relationships last. This is labor intensive work, and significantly underfunded at a once in a lifetime moment for public policy action on child care. RCCF aims to create a network of sustained and robust foundation support for grassroots groups so as to strengthen their organizational capacity and build the base for social change. Join us!
Learn more, watch our 5 minute Show+Tell video introduction from RCCF Co-Chair:
