Building Blocks Mini-Grants

Building Blocks Mini-Grants is sponsored by First 5 Contra Costa. These one-time mini-grants fund community advocacy projects that build awareness, strengthen community voice, and advance policies and systems that benefit children ages 0–5 and their families in Contra Costa County.

Building Blocks Mini Grants | First 5 Contra Costa Building Blocks Mini-Grants First 5 Contra Costa is pleased to announce the Building Blocks Mini-Grants . These one-time mini-grants fund community advocacy projects that build awareness, strengthen community voice, and advance policies and systems that benefit children ages 0–5 and their families in Contra Costa County .

Building Blocks Mini-Grants Cover Letter Building Block Mini-Grant RFA Building Blocks Mini-Grant Online Application (Applications Closed September 30, 2025) Award size: up to $4,000 each Project period: projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Final reports are due within 30 days of project completion, and no later than June 30, 2026.

Applicants must be one of the following: Nonprofit organizations physically located in Contra Costa County and serving Contra Costa families with children ages 0–5 Community groups based in Contra Costa County that have a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor. If using a fiscal sponsor, administrative/processing costs may not exceed 10% of the grant award. Contracts are executed with the legal entity (nonprofit or fiscal sponsor).

Community groups do not contract directly with First 5 Contra Costa.

Who Is Not Eligible To Apply The following are not eligible for Building Blocks Mini-Grants: Single, for-profit child care providers or child care centers aren’t eligible to apply unless they’re part of a child care consortia or collaborative… and, if the consortia is not a nonprofit, they must apply through a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor (administrative/processing costs capped at 10% of the award).

For-profit businesses or corporations Political candidates, parties, or organizations Organizations or groups engaging in lobbying activities prohibited by First 5 Contra Costa’s funding policies Organizations that discriminate or fail to comply with state and federal requirements September 9, 2025 (1:00 PM PT) Informational Webinar (online) Deadline to Submit Questions Responses to Questions Posted Online September 30, 2025 (12:00 PM PT) Notification to Applicants Projects End & Final Reports Due (reports due within 30 days of completion, no later than June 30, 2026 ) An Applicant Information Workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM PT .

The webinar will review eligibility, requirements, the online application process, and provide a general overview of the RFA. A recording will be posted for replay. Click here to watch the recording of the Informational Webinar Please note: This recording includes live, consecutive Spanish interpretation.

Each section is first presented in English and then repeated in Spanish. Click here to download the presentation slides from the Informational Webinar Applications must be submitted online by September 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM PT.

Review These For Reference (Do Not Submit) : Exhibit A – Application Checklist & How to Complete the Online Application Exhibit B – First 5 Contra Costa Insurance Requirements Exhibit C – First 5 Contra Costa Sample Contract (short form) Exhibit D – First 5 Healthy Food & Beverage Policy Attachment A – Application Form Attachment B – Project Budget & Narrative Attachment C – Fiscal Sponsor Agreement (if applicable) Applications will be scored (up to 100 points) based on: Organizational Capacity (20) Benefit to Children 0–5 and Families (20) Question & Answer responses have been posted: click here to download Grants & Contracts Manager, First 5 Contra Costa grantsandcontracts@first5coco.

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