80×3: Resilient from the Start Funding Opportunity

The application period is now open! View the Request for Proposal and Application for more information.

Early Childhood Sector Community of Practice & Leadership Residency Request for Proposals (RFP)

80×3 Program Overview

80×3: Resilient from the Start is a Greater Twin Cities United Way Innovation Initiative that seeks to transform the early childhood landscape to create a region of trauma-sensitive caregivers so all children can thrive.   

Request for Proposal

We welcome proposals that highlight community-driven approaches and a commitment to building a trauma-informed, anti-racist early childhood education system in Minnesota. This initiative seeks to enhance ongoing efforts and provide additional resources to strengthen the sector’s capacity to deliver trauma-sensitive, culturally responsive care.

Submission Process

IMPORTANT: Greater Twin Cities United Way has recently changed its funding portal to the software system Andar. To access this funding opportunity (and subsequent GTCUW funding opportunities), you will first need to register for a GTCUW Grants Portal account, which you can do by following this link to the portal registration form. Once you have submitted this registration form, you will receive an email within three business days directing you to log in to your Grants Portal account, where you will complete the full 80×3 application.

 If you have already submitted this form and completed your account registration, you can login to your account here to access the full application. If you have a Grants Portal account you created for a previous RFP, you can login to your account here, and go to the Sign Up for Open RFPs tab to request access to the 80×3 application in your online portal. Please refer to this one-pager for further details on how to register for your Grants Portal account, and reach out to rfp@gtcuw.org with any questions.

Key Dates for Applicants

Applications are due by March 28, 2025, at 4pm in our grant portal.

Organization Eligibility Requirements

Criteria

To be eligible to receive funding under this RFP, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Your organization is a 501c3 nonprofit organization or has a fiscal sponsor who is a 501c3.
• Your organization is focused on higher education, training, and technical assistance for Minnesota’s early childhood sector and/or your organization designs and provides direct services specifically for early childhood education and care organizations, educators, and leaders.
• Your organization’s budget for the current fiscal year is $250,000 or higher.
• Your program has not previously received 80×3 funding.

To make applications easier for applicants, we have provided a Word template of the application: 2025-26 Leadership Residency RFP Application. Applicants MUST submit their application in their online grants portal to be considered for funding.

Please reach out to RFP@gtcuw.org with any questions related to the application process.

Application Resources

Online Q&A Session

Our RFP Q&A Session was held March 4, 2025 from 12-1pm. If you missed the session you can watch the recording here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.