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5 & Under Initiative: Access to Opportunity for Children in Poverty
The Community Foundation’s decision to create its special initiative, 5 & Under: Access to Opportunity for Children in Poverty, was the result of a three-year process that analyzed critical issues facing our region highlighted in the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s 2003 State of the People Report. After much discussion and debate it was determined that this special initiative would target children in poverty age five years old and younger. The 10,000 children living in poverty age five years old and younger are one of the most vulnerable groups residing in the Pioneer Valley. The 2000 U.S. Census reported that 22.2% of the children age 5 and under in the Pioneer Valley were living in poverty which is almost twice the percentage statewide. The impacts of child poverty are numerous and affect the children, their families, and society:
This special initiative is accomplished through grantmaking that supports high impact educational programs that enable impoverished families with children five years of age and younger to improve their lives by addressing the root causes of their poverty. The programs funded focus directly on the children, on their teachers or on their parents, provided that programs that focus on the parents or the teachers have a direct impact on the economic circumstances or prospects of the children. Educational programs are targeted because education is a proven strategy for impacting the cycle of poverty. The Community Foundation has devoted approximately one third of its competitive grantmaking funds to the 5 & Under Initiative each year for the last four years (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009). In 2009, a total of $570,000 was awarded to eleven organizations for twelve distinct projects bringing the four year award total to $2,230,400. Nine of the projects are in their fourth year; two are in their second year; and there is one new project from Westfield as a result of an open request for proposals (RFP) utilizing funds received from the Beveridge Family Foundation. The 5 & Under Initiative is slated to operate for one more year. Five and Under Initiative Criteria, Process, Application The 5 & Under Initiative: Access to Opportunity for Children in Poverty supports high impact educational programs designed to improve the lives of impoverished children five years and younger by addressing the root causes of poverty. Grant awards are made to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving families with children five years of age and younger living in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. The programs funded focus directly on the children, their parents, or early childhood educators, provided when the focus is on the adults, there is a direct impact on the economic circumstances or prospects of the children. Educational programs are identified for the focus because education is an effective strategy for interrupting the cycle of poverty. The Distribution Committee, a group of community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise, determine grant award recommendations. Volunteer Project Reviewers and Trustees assist Distribution Committee members in the review process. Eligible organizations that submitted complete application packages for projects that met Community Foundation guidelines participated in a review meeting with a team of volunteers and a staff member. The Distribution Committee then met as a group in June 2009 to make this year’s award recommendations. In 2008, the Springfield College School of Social Work facilitated several meetings with current and former grantees to identify best practices and lessons learned. Additional technical assistance is provided to participating projects upon request. The Initiative is slated to continue for one more year (FY2011). We do not expect to issue a new request for proposals (RFP). Contact the Grants Staff If you have questions about the 5 & Under Initiative, please contact Nancy Reiche, Vice President for Programs at 413-732-2858 or grants@communityfoundation.org.
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