First 5 Contra Costa is pleased to announce the Building Blocks Mini-Grants. These one-time mini-grants fund community advocacy projects that build awareness, strengthen community voice, and advance policies and systems that benefit children ages 0–5 and their families in Contra Costa County.
Building Blocks Mini-Grants Cover Letter
Building Block Mini-Grant RFA
Building Blocks Mini-Grant Online Application
Funding Available
- Total funding: $20,000
- Award size: up to $4,000 each
- Project period: projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Final reports are due within 30 days of project completion, and no later than June 30, 2026.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be one of the following:
- Nonprofit organizations physically located in Contra Costa County and serving Contra Costa families with children ages 0–5
- Community groups based in Contra Costa County that have a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor. If using a fiscal sponsor, administrative/processing costs may not exceed 10% of the grant award.
Contracts are executed with the legal entity (nonprofit or fiscal sponsor). Community groups do not contract directly with First 5 Contra Costa.
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 aren’t eligible to apply unless they’re part of a child care consortia or collaborative… and, if the consortia is not a nonprofit, they must apply through a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor (administrative/processing costs capped at 10% of the award).
- For-profit businesses or corporations
- Political candidates, parties, or organizations
- Organizations or groups engaging in lobbying activities prohibited by First 5 Contra Costa’s funding policies
- Organizations that discriminate or fail to comply with state and federal requirements
Timeline
| Date |
Action |
| September 2, 2025 |
Application Released |
| September 9, 2025 (1:00 PM PT) |
Informational Webinar (online) |
| September 15, 2025 |
Deadline to Submit Questions |
| September 22, 2025 |
Responses to Questions Posted Online |
| September 30, 2025 (12:00 PM PT) |
Applications Due |
| October 15, 2025 |
Notification to Applicants |
| November 1, 2025 |
Projects Begin |
| By June 30, 2026 |
Projects End & Final Reports Due (reports due within 30 days of completion, no later than June 30, 2026) |
Informational Webinar
An Applicant Information Workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM PT. The webinar will review eligibility, requirements, the online application process, and provide a general overview of the RFA. A recording will be posted for replay.
Click here to watch the recording of the Informational Webinar
- Please note: This recording includes live, consecutive Spanish interpretation. Each section is first presented in English and then repeated in Spanish.
Click here to download the presentation slides from the Informational Webinar
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online by September 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM PT.
Review These For Reference (Do Not Submit) :
Required Attachments:
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be scored (up to 100 points) based on:
- Organizational Capacity (20)
- Proposed Work Plan (25)
- Benefit to Children 0–5 and Families (20)
- Outcomes/Impact (25)
- Proposed Budget (10)
Questions
Send questions to grantsandcontracts@first5coco.org by September 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT. Compiled responses will be posted by September 22, 2025.
Contact
Lisa R. Johnson
Grants & Contracts Manager, First 5 Contra Costa
grantsandcontracts@first5coco.org
