Promoting high quality early childhood education for low-income children.

EQUIP
GuidelinesHow to Apply
The Early Childhood Education Quality Improvement Program (EQUIP) provides multi-year, capacity-building support to early childhood education agencies, helping them to work with the staff and families to create long-lasting, sustainable quality improvements that directly benefit low-income children between the ages of birth to five.

Early childhood centers must respond to a shifting array of needs and offer services that encompass entire families. With the number of demands put on child care centers, the ability to have funds marked for quality rather than "putting out fires" is important. EQUIP grants help to address this need for quality early childhood education.

EQUIP provides resources that allow centers to address specific issues of importance to them and to work intensively on adding quality components to their programs. Example program areas include pre-literacy, behavior management, parent engagement, and arts education.

All projects, regardless of the specific focus, promote the overall well-being of children by encouraging a love of learning and healthy physical and mental development.

To learn more about the impact and outcomes of EQUIP, CLICK HERE to read the results of the 2014-2017 EQUIP Evaluation.

Apply for EQUIP

Guidelines for 2023 EQUIP grants will be available soon.

Bright Promises Foundation will accept letter of intent forms from licensed, nonprofit early childhood centers in Cook County serving primarily low-income children ages 0-5. Letter of Intent forms must be completed by June 15, 2023 at 5p CST.

Selected organizations will receive an invitation to submit a full application by June 30. If invited, full applications are due by August 15.

For additional information, please email Bright Promises Program Officer Tiffany McQueen Lewis at tiffany.mcqueenlewis@brightpromises.org

Please read our guidelines and, if eligible, complete the pre-proposal screening form.
2023 Guidelines2023 Pre-Proposal Form2023 Full Application (By Invite Only)