First 5 Contra Costa is pleased to announce the 2026–27 Building Blocks Mini-Grants. These mini-grants support community advocacy projects that build awareness, strengthen community voice, and advance policies and systems that benefit children prenatal to age 5 and their families in Contra Costa County.
This page is the central resource for the Building Blocks Mini-Grants. Application materials, important dates, Applicant Information Session materials, Questions & Answers, and other updates will be posted here throughout the application process.
Application Materials
Funding Available
- Total funding available: $20,000
- Award size: Up to $4,000 per grant
- Project period: December 15, 2026 through June 30, 2027
- All projects must be completed no later than June 30, 2027
Final reports are due within 30 days of project completion and no later than June 30, 2027.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be one of the following:
- Nonprofit organizations serving Contra Costa County families with children ages 0–5; or
- Community groups based in Contra Costa County that have a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
If using a fiscal sponsor, administrative/processing costs charged by the sponsor cannot exceed 10% of the total grant award.
Contracts will be made directly with the nonprofit organization or fiscal sponsor serving as the legal entity. Community groups will not contract directly with First 5 Contra Costa.
Applicants with prior First 5 Contra Costa contracts must have demonstrated satisfactory contract performance.
Who Is Not Eligible to Apply
The following are not eligible for Building Blocks Mini-Grants:
- Individuals
- Single, for-profit child care providers or child care centers, unless they are part of a child care consortium or collaborative. If the consortium or collaborative is not a nonprofit, it must apply through a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
- For-profit businesses or corporations
- Political candidates, parties, or organizations
- Organizations or groups engaging in lobbying activities prohibited by First 5 Contra Costa funding policies
- Organizations that discriminate or fail to comply with state and federal requirements
What We Fund
Building Blocks Mini-Grants support policy advocacy projects that strengthen community voice and contribute to systems change for Contra Costa families with children prenatal to age 5.
Eligible activities may include:
- Providing advocacy, storytelling, or leadership training
- Developing tools or resources that help community members participate in advocacy or engage with decision-makers
- Participating in trainings or conferences that strengthen advocacy, policy, or leadership skills
- Hosting community forums, town halls, speaker series, or panels that include decision-makers or produce information or recommendations that will be shared with them
- Creating and sharing educational materials, policy briefs, or awareness campaigns targeting decision-makers
- Sharing community experiences and recommendations with decision-makers
Whatever approach you choose, your project should have a clear connection to advocacy and explain how your activities will inform decision-makers or contribute to policy or systems change over time.
What We Will Not Fund
Examples of funding requests that are not eligible include, but are not limited to:
- Direct service activities that primarily address the immediate needs of individuals or families
- Lobbying activities prohibited under First 5 Contra Costa funding requirements
- Promoting or opposing a political candidate or party
- Campaign materials or political advertising
- Fundraising activities
- Ongoing staff salaries or general operating expenses
- Capital projects or property improvements, such as construction, additions, alterations, or renovations
All projects must be non-discriminatory, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and provide reasonable access and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Any food and beverage purchases made with mini-grant funds must comply with the First 5 Contra Costa Healthy Food and Beverage Policy.
Timeline
- September 29, 2026: Application Released
- October 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT: Applicant Information Session (Online)
- October 9, 2026: Deadline to Submit Questions
- October 14, 2026: Responses to Questions Posted Online
- October 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT: Applications Due
- November 16, 2026: Notification to Applicants
- December 15, 2026: Projects Begin
- By June 30, 2027: Projects End
Final reports are due within 30 days of project completion and no later than June 30, 2027.
Applicant Information Session
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to attend the Applicant Information Session on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM PT.
The online session will review eligibility, requirements, the online application process, and provide an overview of the RFA. The session will be recorded and posted on this page for replay.
After the session, the recording and presentation slides will be posted here:
- Applicant Information Session Recording: Link TBD
- Applicant Information Session Slides: Link TBD
How to Apply
First 5 Contra Costa will accept applications through October 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM PT.
All applications must be submitted through the online application portal. Applicants must set up an online account to access the application form.
Application Materials
Submit These with Your Application
Review These for Reference (Do Not Submit):
Click here to view Exhibit A-F
- 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
- Exhibit E – Acknowledgment of First 5 Funds
- Exhibit F – First 5 Contra Costa Gift Card Guideline Policy
How Applications Will Be Evaluated
All applications will first be screened for eligibility. Eligible applications will then be reviewed and scored by a panel that may include First 5 Contra Costa Commissioners, staff, and community stakeholders.
Applications may earn up to 100 points based on the following criteria:
- Organization/community group experience and connection to Contra Costa families with children prenatal to age 5 — 10 points
- Policy or systems change goal — 15 points
- Activities and timeline — 20 points
- Alignment with First 5 Contra Costa focus areas — 25 points
- Expected results and measures of success — 20 points
- Proposed budget — 10 points
The introductory project overview will be considered throughout the review but is not independently scored.
Questions & Answers
All questions must be submitted in writing to grantsandcontracts@first5coco.org by October 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT.
Responses will be compiled and posted publicly on this page on or before October 14, 2026.
Contact
Lisa R. Johnson
Grants & Contracts Manager
First 5 Contra Costa
grantsandcontracts@first5coco.org
