Safe Spaces | Sunlight Giving

Safe Spaces

Families and children deserve safe and nurturing environments, and quality, affordable child care is a basic need. High-quality services during the first five years of a child's life contribute to their cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. There are not enough slots for income-eligible subsidized child care, and children of color are disproportionately not enrolled, with the majority being cared for by family, friends, and neighbors. Care providers are likely to be immigrants, limited English proficient (LEP), and women of color experiencing poverty. Improving quality (including pay and resources for providers) and access to formal and informal care spaces promotes more equitable outcomes for children, families, and their care providers.

What We Fund

Sunlight Giving helps support children’s healthy development through spaces for:

Community

Community centers, playgroups and support groups, park activation and revitalization, and libraries that serve as hubs for families and young children, providing activities, resources, and connections.

Early Care and Education

Care providers that offer federal/state-subsidized child care programs for children 5 and under, along with wraparound services to connect families with other resources.

Systems Change

Select policy, advocacy, and systems work to improve access, affordability, and the overall quality of care for children 0-5 years.

What We Look For

Organizations that ensure these spaces are available in neighborhoods and communities that currently lack them.

What We Don't Fund

Programs that exclusively promote kindergarten readiness or literacy. Youth development and after-school programs for school-aged children.