Overview:  The Early Childhood Success Fund focuses on preparing children to succeed, particularly during the critical period from birth to third grade.  We created the fund to pool resources with co-investors to have greater local impact. 

We direct funds to support programs that encourage children to become lifelong readers, support parents and caregivers as children’s most important teachers, improve the quality of childcare for children, help children make a successful transition to kindergarten, and enable children to build a foundation of competence in math and science.

Our Community Investment team manages the Fund, and directs the resources to organizations whose work is truly improving outcomes for children.  We focus on our communities most in need, which include Oakland, Richmond, eastern Contra Costa County and southern Alameda County. 

How the Fund Works:  The Fund lifts up powerful and effective nonprofit organizations in the East Bay and leverages our collective investment.  By bringing together the resources of many, we go further in making a positive difference in the community. 

By co-investing with us, you tap into our philanthropic expertise and knowledge of the local landscape.  We thoroughly evaluate each grantee to ensure the organization is viable, its leadership is effective, and its impact is tangible. 

We invite you to maximize your philanthropic impact alongside the Foundation by co-investing in the Early Childhood Success Fund.

How to Support the Fund:  There are two ways you can support the Early Childhood Success Fund:

1. Via Check:  Make a check out to the East Bay Community Foundation, indicating Early Childhood Success Fund in the memo line.  Envelopes are available for your convenience. 


2. Online:  For EBCF Fund Holders, login to Donor Express from the EBCF homepage. To recommend a grant to the Fund, please follow these steps:
   1. Click on Recommend a Grant tab. This will take you to the search screen.
   2. For Organization, enter East Bay Community Foundation.
   3. Complete the remainder of the online grant recommendation form.  For purpose, enter Early Childhood Success Fund.  

Please direct any questions to Director of Donor Engagement Abbey Banks at 510-208-0844 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .