First Things First offers grant opportunities to address the specific development, education and health needs of children birth through age 5 (before kindergarten) and their families.
Grants Overview
First Things First distributes early childhood funds through both statewide and regional grants. Statewide grants are for programs to be implemented across regional boundaries. Regional grants are for programs to be implemented in individual regions.
First Things First solicits competitive Requests for Grant Applications (RFGAs) as a means for delivering early childhood development and health services.
First Things First does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants for grants must demonstrate organizational, fiscal and programmatic capacity to meet the requirements described in the scope of work listed in each RFGA.
Entities eligible to apply for a grant from First Things First include:
- Units of Arizona government (local, county and state entities as well as schools and school districts)
- Federally-recognized tribal governments providing services within Arizona
- Arizona institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities)
- Private organizations providing (or proposing to provide) services in Arizona, including for-profit and non-profit 501©3 organizations (both secular and faith-based)
Tools for Grant Applicants
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at grants@azftf.gov
Applying for a Grant
First Things First may release RFGAs at any time. Join our email list to receive announcements of all new RFGAs and check our Grant Opportunities page regularly.
From the Grant Opportunities page, click on a specific RFGA for more information.
First Things First conducts a pre-application information session to discuss the details of an upcoming RFGA. This is an opportunity to hear specifics about the grant opportunity, instructions for submission and how applications will be reviewed. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.
Prior to submitting your application, be sure to check the Grant Opportunities page for any RFGA amendments that may be posted. Any posted amendment must be signed and submitted with the application.
Applications are accepted only within the specified period of time and must be received by First Things First at the specified location on or before the stated deadline.
No applications will be accepted after the specified close (due) date identified in the RFGA.
Contact us at grants@azftf.gov if you have questions or need more information.
Award Process
Applications are evaluated by a review committee comprised of at least three qualified individuals who have expertise in the early childhood field and are familiar with the regional area.
The review committee is responsible for conducting a fair and impartial evaluation of each application based on the criteria set forth in the RFGA. Reviewers may not have a conflict of interest. Scoring is based on the responsiveness to the information requested in the application, including:
- Organization capacity
- Proposed program
- Implementation plan
- Collaboration
- Budget
- Technical components (related to the completeness of the application)
By consensus, the review committee makes funding recommendations to the regional partnership council or statewide Board. One or multiple grants may be awarded under an RFGA.
All applications submitted and opened are public records. Applications and review committee assessments will be open and available to public inspection within 30 days of an award being made.