WCF supports learning from early childhood through adulthood so residents can build skills, pursue opportunity, become more independent, and take part in community life.
Why This Focus Matters
Learning begins before kindergarten and continues throughout life. Strong early development, caring adults, academic help, enrichment, and preparation for college, work, and community life help children and young people thrive.
Adults also need opportunities to build literacy, English-language, digital, and other practical skills. WCF seeks learning opportunities that are high quality, affordable, inclusive, and connected to residents’ goals.
Outcomes We Seek
WCF gives priority to requests that clearly support one of these outcomes. No single grant or organization is expected to create community-wide change alone.
- Strong early foundations: Young children build strong foundations and enter school ready to learn, supported by their families, caregivers, and quality early-learning opportunities.
- Youth development and preparation: School-age children and young people receive academic, social, and enrichment support that helps them progress, graduate, and prepare for college, work, and community life.
- Adult learning and independence: Adults build literacy, digital skills, and other knowledge that expands their independence, job options, and ability to take part in community life.
What WCF May Support
These are examples, not a complete list. All requests must follow WCF’s general grant guidelines and the limits of the funds available.
- Early-childhood development, school-readiness activities, and quality early learning.
- Education for families and caregivers that strengthens children’s development, literacy, learning, or readiness for school.
- After-school, summer, tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programs that support academic, social, and personal growth.
- Youth leadership, service, volunteering, career exposure, and preparation for college or work. This focus area does not provide individual scholarships.
- Inclusive learning and development for children and young people with disabilities or other learning barriers.
- Adult literacy, English-language learning, high-school equivalency, digital skills, and other basic skills.
- Learning that helps adults handle work, services, technology, family duties, or community life more independently.
- Capacity building that improves an organization’s skills, tools, or systems. General operating support is available only to organizations that have received a competitive WCF grant before.
What Strong Requests Show
- A clear learning need: The request identifies the age, stage, skill, or transition it will address.
- Meaningful access: The applicant addresses barriers such as cost, transportation, disability, language, schedules, technology, or limited past opportunity.
- A sound learning approach: Activities fit the ages and needs of participants and draw on useful evidence or experience.
- A role for participants and families: Children, young people, adults, families, or caregivers help shape goals and take part in the work.
- Helpful connections: The applicant works with schools, families, employers, libraries, or community partners when those relationships will improve learning or help people move to the next stage.
- Learning beyond attendance: The applicant will look at changes in skills, readiness, engagement, confidence, progress, or independence, not just the number of people who attend.
How We Will Learn
Reporting should match the size and type of grant. WCF and its grantees may use numbers, participant feedback, partner observations, or other useful information. Depending on the request, we may look at:
- Whether young children built early learning or development skills and whether caregivers gained useful knowledge or support.
- Whether children and young people increased their skills, confidence, school progress, or readiness for the next step.
- Whether young people gained useful experience with college, careers, leadership, service, or community life.
- Whether adults built literacy, English-language, digital, or other practical skills and used them more independently.
- Who took part, who did not, and whether the work reduced barriers tied to cost, access, schedules, or technology.
Choosing the Best Fit
Requests may cross focus areas. Job training or credentials aimed mainly at employment or income usually fit Housing & Economic Mobility. Basic literacy, English-language, or digital learning may fit here when learning and independence are the main goals. Arts programs focused on creative participation may fit Community & Cultural Vibrancy. School-based mental health work fits Health & Wellness when health is the main goal.
Before Applying
- Review WCF’s general grant guidelines and confirm that your organization is eligible.
- Choose the focus area and outcome that best match the main change your work seeks.
- Complete the required in-person or video meeting with WCF staff.