Building Blocks Mini-Grants: Small Grants, Big Possibilities

In 2025, First 5 Contra Costa launched the Building Blocks Mini-Grants to support local organizations working to advance policy advocacy for young children and families.

Through the first round, First 5 Contra Costa invested $20,000 in five organizations whose projects centered the experiences and expertise of parents, caregivers, early childhood providers, and community organizations. Their work ranged from building advocacy and leadership skills to creating opportunities for community members to share their lived experiences directly with decision-makers.

These small, six-month grants created opportunities to build relationships, strengthen advocacy skills, elevate community voices, and lay groundwork for longer-term policy and systems change.

Explore the accomplishments of our Building Blocks Mini-Grant recipients:

A woman in a cowboy hat and earrings holds a laughing baby, both smiling widely at each other, in front of a pink background.

Abundant Birth Project​

Elevating the voices of Mamas

The Abundant Birth Project used storytelling and photography to amplify the experiences of Contra Costa mothers participating in its guaranteed income program.

Two women sit at a table with flyers and signs promoting perinatal mental health and birth justice, smiling at the camera, supporting Black Girls Mental Health Collective.

Black Girls Mental Health Foundation​

Building power through partnership

Black Girls Mental Health Foundation brought together Black-led and Black-serving organizations working in maternal health, mental wellness, early childhood development, birthwork, and family support.

A child sits at a table sorting colorful plastic animals into bowls by color, with a sorting activity mat and hoops visible in the background.

Care Parent Network​

Making sure families are heard

Care Parent Network created opportunities for families raising young children with autism to connect, learn about advocacy, and share their experiences.

A group of people poses outdoors, some holding certificates and smiling. There are trees and a picnic table in the background. One person holds a small child on the left side of the group.

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

Turning lived experience into advocacy

The Food Bank delivered their six-week Speaker Series program, now called Voices for Change, designed to help caregivers and community members affected by hunger build skills in storytelling, public speaking, and advocacy.

Ten women stand together indoors, smiling and raising their fists. They wear matching t-shirts with a colorful logo and the words Empowering Voices. A presentation slide in the background reads, ADVOCACY in Contra Costa..

NorCal Family Child Care Alliance​

Elevating the voices of bilingual educators

NorCal Family Child Care Alliance helped Latino, immigrant, and bilingual family child care providers strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills.