Funding
Funding is available to our community through a variety of grant and partnership opportunities.Funding Opportunities
First 5 Shasta aims to invest in efforts that will have the most effective and positive impact on children and our community. The three goals of our Strategic Plan are used to guide our investment in early childhood. From a healthy pregnancy to a child’s eager entry into kindergarten, we’re making strategic and innovative use of all First 5 Shasta resources to make a lasting difference in the lives of children.
Grant Information
Through Good Neighbor Grant (GNG) funding, First 5 Shasta (F5S) is offering a total of $10,000 per year to support efforts that benefit pregnant women, children ages 0-5 their families, and providers working on behalf of young children. Good Neighbor Grants supply small amounts of funding that can make a big difference, which may include, but are not limited to:
Education projects or activities
Projects that provide goods or services directly to families with young children
Professional development opportunity for an individual
Through Community Activity Sponsorship Grants, we will fund and support community events in Shasta County that specifically serve families with children ages 0–5. Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $3,000, with $30,000 available in total during the 2026-27 fiscal year. Examples of activities may include, but are not limited to:
Professional Development - for providers/professionals
Educational Workshops - for parents/caregivers
Community Events - broad, family-friendly gatherings
Public Awareness - marketing and outreach targeting parents/caregivers
Amount: $1,000-$3,000
Cycle 1: July 1st to August 5th
The intent of this funding is for larger scale projects and programs that address First 5 Shasta's strategic plan focus areas. Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to:
Ongoing parent education classes
Equipment (breastfeeding resources; lactation room, pods, ect.)
Equipment for public spaces (playground structures, shade structures for play areas, ect.)
Child safety project
Early learning sports or education program (ongoing)
Amount: $3,000-$20,000
Cycle 1: July 1st to August 12th
PVCA Professional Development Grants:
Professional Development Grants provide up to $2,000 (including travel stipends) for ECE professionals to attend advocacy related workshops, conferences, or trainings that advance their professional growth and leadership in the field. Examples of eligible trainings may include:
Statewide Advocacy Trainings
National Leadership & Policy Institutes
Local/Regional Workshops.
Equity & Policy-Focused Seminars
Conference Attendance with Advocacy Tracks
Amount: $500-$1,000
Cycle: July to December, or until dedicated funds are exhausted.
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PVCA Community Advocacy Action Fund:
The Community Advocacy Action Fund supports grassroots, provider-led advocacy projects that elevate the voices of early childhood educators and families. The goal is to strengthen awareness, improve working conditions, and advance equity in early childhood education. Projects should demonstrate direct involvement of providers and be designed to create sustainable impact in the community.
Projects should advance at least one of the following priorities:
Elevating Provider Voices: amplifying lived experiences and perspectives of ECE providers in public spaces.
Policy and Systems Advocacy: influencing decision-makers on issues such as compensation, working conditions, and access to care.
Community Awareness & Engagement: raising public understanding of the importance of ECE and the challenges providers face.
Family-Provider Partnerships: empowering families and providers to advocate together for children’s well-being.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Cycle: July to December, or until dedicated funds are exhausted.
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New grant opportunities coming July 1st, 2026!
Grants are available during specific times during the fiscal year. Sign up for our mailing list to be informed when these and other opportunities become available. Sign Up Here
If your project does not fit into an existing funding category, we’d love to hear from you. Please send an email to grants@first5shasta.org to connect with our grant coordinator.
Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan 2026-2031 was developed after examination of local needs and determination of most effective methods for allocating First 5 Shasta resources to achieve desired results.Proposition 10 contains a requirement for county commissions to adopt a strategic plan “for the support and improvement of early childhood development in the county. First 5 Shasta’s Strategic Plan 2026–2031 serves as a roadmap for supporting young children and families in Shasta County. Created in partnership with community stakeholders, Commission members, staff, and local organizations, the plan guides our priorities and investments to help ensure children have the strongest possible start in life.
Funding Policies
Learn about our policies applicable to all First 5 Shasta categories of grant funding.First 5 Shasta follows a set of policies to ensure the effective distribution of funds into our community. Read each of our policies to ensure your application meets our criteria for funding.