Jim Joel Fund

Description

1) Objective

They support the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector in South Africa primarily by funding organisations that work at the coalface of the sector to improve access and the quality of early learning programmes for the most marginalised of young children and their families.

These are some of the activities that they fund:

• Provide accredited ECD practitioner training
• Deliver short skills programmes and professional development for ECD workers
• Run parenting support initiatives or home-visiting models
• Operate enrichment programmes, playgroups, toy libraries, and book distribution
• Offer ECD network support (for centres/practitioners)
• Develop innovative learning materials for ECD
• Need core operational support for proven ECD programmes
• They fund work that supports and strengthens the ECD ecosystem—not individual Early Learning centres.

2) Eligibility

They do not fund individual preschools, crèches or centres, even if they are registered. They only fund NGOs that support ECD practitioners or programmes more broadly.

3) Location

Actions must take place in South Africa.

4) Budget

The grant size is not mentioned.

5) Application

The application deadline is 30 April 2026. The online application form is available for the month of April each year. Existing NGOs and new beneficiaries are welcome to contact them to discuss possible funding opportunities.