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Virginia Early Childhood Foundation

Annual Giving
$106.0M
Grant Range
Up to $8.0M00
00

Virginia Early Childhood Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $106 million (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly - from scholarships for individuals to multi-million dollar regional grants ($1.7M - $8M for Ready Regions)
  • Geographic Focus: Statewide (Virginia)

Contact Details

Address: 1703 North Parham Road, Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23229

Phone: (804) 358-8323

Website: https://vecf.org

Mixed Delivery Program Contact: Abigail@vecf.org

Overview

Founded in 2005 as a public-private partnership, the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) serves as the non-partisan steward of Virginia's promise for early childhood success. With annual revenue of $106 million (FY 2024), VECF focuses on children ages birth to 5 who do not currently have access to the same opportunities as others in their age group. The organization has experienced dramatic growth, expanding from $12.2 million in revenue in FY 2020 to over $106 million in FY 2024. VECF has earned a 3/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator. Under the leadership of President Kathy Glazer (since 2012), VECF has developed innovative programs including the Ready Regions network and the Mixed Delivery Program, which has grown from serving 1,300 children in FY22 to over 2,687 children in recent years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Mixed Delivery Program: The flagship program providing publicly funded early childhood care and education services in licensed, non-faith-based private settings. Grants are awarded to Ready Region lead agencies who then distribute funding to local providers.

  • Recent awards: $37.6 million in FY25 for 2,687 children
  • Seven regional grants ranging from $1.7M - $8M
  • Funds full-day, year-round services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
  • Shifted to "Cost-of-Quality" reimbursement model in 2023 to cover actual operating expenses including staff compensation
  • Application method: Contact regional Ready Region coordinators or email Abigail@vecf.org

Ready Regions Lead Agency Grants: Triennial competitive grants to organizations leading regional early childhood systems building in Virginia's nine Ready Regions.

  • Recent recipients (January 2025): United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Fairfax County Early Childhood Programs, Thrive Birth to Five, FirstSpark, Foundation First, Minus 9 to 5/Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, Center for Early Success
  • Application: Through competitive process with Letter of Intent followed by full application
  • Review: External panel of experts
  • Next opportunity: FY26 funding opportunity details available at vecf.org/fy26-ready-regions-grant-opportunity/ (password protected)

Smart Beginnings Systems Building Grants: Awards to Smart Beginnings initiatives developing data-driven approaches focused on equitable access to supports for families with young children.

  • Types include: Systems Building Grants, Data Capacity Booster Grants, and Innovative Partnership Grants
  • First launched in 2015
  • No fixed application timeline found

Project Pathfinders Scholarship Program: Individual scholarships for early childhood educators seeking credentials through Virginia Community College System.

  • Application periods: October 15 - December 1 (Spring), December 8 - January 16
  • For individuals currently employed in Virginia child care/preschool settings
  • Covers community college coursework (limit of two courses per semester)
  • Also available for 4-year college completion (transferable/2+2 Early Childhood AAS degree required)

Priority Areas

  • School readiness for children ages birth to 5
  • Equitable access to quality early childhood care and education
  • Mixed delivery models that increase family choice between public and private providers
  • Workforce development in the early childhood sector
  • Systems building at regional and local levels
  • Data-driven approaches and accountability
  • Nutrition and health services through CACFP
  • Serving at-risk children based on socioeconomic factors

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions were not publicly documented in available sources. Based on program descriptions, VECF focuses exclusively on early childhood (birth to age 5) in Virginia, so projects outside this scope would not be eligible.

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • Gary Thomson – Board Chair, Managing Partner of Thomson Consulting
  • Edmond E. Hughes – Vice Chair, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Huntington Ingalls Industries
  • Alexis Ehrhardt, Ed.D. – Treasurer, Executive Director of State Government Relations and Special Assistant to the President of the University of Virginia
  • Jamelle S. Wilson, Ed.D. – Secretary, Dean of the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies

Executive Leadership

  • Kathy Glazer – President (joined 2012). Glazer stated the organization is "proud to partner with the Virginia Department of Education, continuing to strengthen Virginia's nation-leading, public-private early childhood care and education system" and has called for "bold action that will allow every child and family in Virginia to benefit from greater and more equitable access to quality early childhood education services."
  • Karin Bowles – Vice President of Strategy
  • Amy Hatheway – Vice President of Community Networks
  • Bridget King – Vice President of Operations

Key Staff

  • Grace Eckel – Senior Advisor - Innovations
  • Becky Tippett – Senior Advisor, Data and Accountability
  • Emily Keenum – Senior Director, Ready Regions
  • Abigail Vo – Director, Mixed Delivery
  • Sharon Brager – Fund Development Manager (30+ years fundraising experience)
  • Robin Grossman – Operations Director

Board Members

The board includes 20+ members representing business, healthcare, government, and education sectors, including several ex-officio members from state government positions (Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Secretary of Education).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Mixed Delivery Program:

  • Organizations do not apply directly to VECF
  • Contact your local Ready Region Mixed Delivery Coordinator
  • Visit vecf.org/mdg-opportunities/ for more information
  • Email Abigail@vecf.org to learn more
  • Services primarily available through partnerships with Ready Region lead agencies

Ready Regions Lead Agency Competition:

  • Triennial competitive process (every three years)
  • Required Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by full application
  • Review by external panel of experts
  • Most recent competition concluded January 2025
  • Next opportunity: FY26 (details password-protected on website)

Smart Beginnings Systems Building Grants:

  • No current open application timeline found
  • Contact VECF directly for information

Project Pathfinders Scholarships:

  • Spring semester: October 15 - December 1
  • Additional period: December 8 - January 16
  • Must apply for VCCPSP (Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program) first
  • Requires employer letter of support
  • Baccalaureate degree students must complete FAFSA

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Based on the competitive nature of Ready Regions grants and the review by external panels, applicants should expect multi-month processes.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 34 grants in 2023, 23 in 2022, and 26 in 2021 (based on 990 filings). Success rates are not publicly published. The competitive nature of Ready Regions grants (9 lead agencies selected statewide) indicates selective awards for major grants.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policies were found in public sources. The triennial Ready Regions competition suggests opportunities to reapply every three years.

Application Success Factors

Based on VECF's documented priorities and funded projects:

Alignment with Core Values:

  • President Kathy Glazer emphasizes that successful applicants demonstrate "readiness and a deep commitment to leading their region's early childhood progress"
  • Strong alignment with equity is critical - VECF prioritizes children "who do not currently have access to the same opportunities as others in their age group"
  • Data-driven approaches are valued across all programs

Recent Successful Models:

  • United Way of Greater Charlottesville received $7.4M for Ready Region Blue Ridge
  • Thrive Birth to Five received $8M for Ready Region Central
  • FirstSpark received $3.3M for Ready Region Chesapeake Bay
  • These organizations demonstrated capacity for "providing strategic leadership, assuring full implementation of core responsibilities, and convening public and private partners"

Key Success Factors:

  • Partnership approach: Mixed Delivery program "continues to bring great value to Virginia by increasing choice for families, fostering partnerships between public and private early education providers" (Glazer)
  • Systems building capacity: Ability to coordinate across multiple providers and stakeholders
  • Focus on quality: Commitment to high-quality services, not just access
  • Workforce development: Supporting early childhood professionals
  • Community connections: Deep roots in local communities and ability to convene partners

Program-Specific Requirements:

For Pathfinders Scholarships:

  • Priority given to individuals working with at-risk children (those benefiting from child care subsidies, qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch, or in programs like Head Start)
  • Must demonstrate motivation to complete credentials
  • Current employment in Virginia child care/preschool required

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Think regional, not individual: VECF primarily funds regional systems and networks rather than individual organizations - position yourself as a coordinator/convener or partner with Ready Region lead agencies
  • Emphasize equity and access: Frame proposals around serving children who lack opportunities, particularly those from low-to-moderate income families
  • Demonstrate systems-building capacity: VECF values organizations that can coordinate across multiple stakeholders and providers
  • Use data-driven language: VECF places strong emphasis on data, accountability, and evidence-based approaches
  • Focus on sustainability: The shift to "Cost-of-Quality" reimbursement shows VECF's commitment to sustainable, adequately-resourced programs
  • Build relationships with Ready Regions: Most funding flows through the nine Ready Region lead agencies - connecting with your regional coordinator is essential
  • Partner public-private: VECF values collaboration between public and private providers to increase family choice

References

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