Start Early
AI Summary
START EARLY is a 501(c)(3) grantmaker that filed $36.8M in total grants to 43 grantees in 2025. It does not accept unsolicited proposals and makes grants by invitation only; nonprofits can explore warm-introduction pathways via Impala's Funder Prospecting.
Mission Statement
Start Early advances quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to help close the opportunity gap.
Cause Areas
1
Education
Explore this org's ecosystem
See top causes for this funder's grantees, who else funds them, and their grants.
Explore this org's ecosystem
See top causes for this funder's grantees, who else funds them, and their grants.
Grantee
Total Funding
Funding Share
CASA CENTRAL SOCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Chicago, IL
$20.3M
9%
One Hope United
Chicago, IL
$19.3M
8%
CHILDREN'S HOME & AID SOCIETY OF ILL
CHICAGO, IL
$14.6M
6%
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Total No. of Grants
58
Median 1st year grant
$122.6K
Median 2nd year grant
$179.1K
Top 3 Grants
Matched grants only
Grantee
Grant Size
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- 70 grantees
- 170 board & team members
- 11 historic 990s & financials
- 6-year operating budget trend
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit an unsolicited grant proposal to Start Early?
No. Start Early does not accept unsolicited proposals. Funding is by invitation only.
Where does Start Early give?
Start Early primarily gives to organizations located in Illinois, District Of Columbia, and Maryland. These states represent the largest share of the foundation’s grantmaking by dollars awarded. Additional geographic details are available to registered users.
What size are Start Early’s grants?
The largest share of grants from Start Early fall in the $1 million to $5 million range. The median first-year grant is about $123 thousand. More detailed grant size data is available to registered users.
How many grants does Start Early make each year?
In 2024, Start Early awarded about 60 grants, totaling nearly $36 million. More detailed grant metrics are available to registered users.
Who did Start Early fund recently?
In 2024, Start Early awarded grants to about 70 grantees. Recent grantees include CASA CENTRAL SOCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, One Hope United, and CHILDREN'S HOME & AID SOCIETY OF ILL. More detailed information on all recent recipients is available to registered users.
How do we apply to Start Early?
Start Early does not accept unsolicited proposals. Funding is by invitation only.