View a downloadable press release here.
14 organizations to receive School Readiness Initiative grants, including 11 nonprofits receiving multi-year funding
BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 9, 2026 – Community Foundation Boulder County announced today the 2026 grant recipients of the foundation’s School Readiness Initiative Fund. 14 grantees will receive a total of $231,000, with 11 organizations receiving the first multi-year grant awards distributed through the School Readiness Initiative.
The School Readiness Initiative was created to work towards closing the achievement gap in children ages 0–5 by funding school readiness work benefitting low-income families in Boulder County. Consistent with its longstanding commitment to education, the foundation has also supported nine ballot initiatives related to protecting or increasing funding for public education, most recently endorsing Boulder County Issue 1A, Brighter Start Boulder, in 2026.
“The community foundation has a long history of investing in early childhood education in Boulder County,” says Sarah Harrison, CFBC’s vice president of programs. “This year, we’re tripling down on that investment by funding the first multi-year grant awards through the School Readiness initiative.”
Multi-year support provides funding stability, creating opportunities for organizations to plan beyond the current fiscal year, invest in longer-term strategies, and strengthen organizational sustainability. According to a recent report released by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) on multi-year funding, New Attitudes, Old Practices, “Nonprofit leaders report that receiving multiyear general operating support would result in many benefits to the health of their organizations—including the ability to plan for the future, the opportunity to focus on their work, and the capacity to invest in staff—and, ultimately, increase the impact they can have on society.”
Two grantees receiving multi-year funding through the School Readiness Initiative in 2026 echoed the CEP report after receiving the news they had been awarded. “We’re incredibly grateful for this three-year grant award, “said a representative at New Horizon’s Cooperative Preschool. “Having that consistent support over multiple years is such a gift to our school and makes such a difference in our ability to plan and budget for the future.” Katharine Reece, director of development at Impact on Education, shared additional gratitude. “We are so thankful for the Community Foundation’s trust and investment,” said Reece. “This three-year commitment will help ensure that financial circumstances don’t stand in the way of opportunity for Boulder Valley’s youngest learners.” 11 of 14 organizations are receiving 3-year grant awards to support their long-term work in early childhood education across Boulder County.
Learn more about the School Readiness Initiative at https://www.commfound.org/program/schoolreadiness-initiative/.
2026 School Readiness Initiative Grantees
• Boulder Day Nursery – $2,000
• Boulder Library Foundation – $2,000
• Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition* – $31,500
• Early Childhood Council of Boulder County* – $31,500
• Family Learning Center* – $18,000
• Imagination Library of Colorado – $2,000
• Impact on Education* – $18,000
• New Horizons Cooperative Preschool* – $18,000
• TLC Learning Center* – $18,000
• Wild Plum Center* – $18,000
• YMCA of Northern Colorado* – $18,000
• YWCA Boulder County* – $18,000
*Multi-year grant awards (2026, 2027, 2028)
About Community Foundation Boulder County
Vision:
Community Foundation Boulder County envisions a thriving, equitable, and inclusive community that collaborates to ensure everyone in Boulder County experiences a life of opportunity and fulfillment.
Mission:
Community Foundation Boulder County activates the ideas, generosity and leadership of the community to galvanize resources and support equitable solutions for all who live or work in Boulder County.
History:
Since 1991, Community Foundation Boulder County has worked with donors, nonprofits, civic leaders, and community members to meet the evolving needs of the Boulder County community. The foundation has given out over $200 million since 2001.
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