The Kenneth Rainin Foundation awarded $999,391 in grants in November to ensure that Oakland’s youngest learners have access to culturally connected literacy and translanguaging practices. These practices support all children to fully engage in learning by using all the languages and dialects they know. The Foundation remains focused on our goal of all Oakland children reading at or above grade level by third grade.
Research shows that the greatest opportunity to foster literacy growth occurs during early childhood through second grade. However, not all children have equal access to early learning experiences that maximize this critical window of development. The following grants reflect a shared commitment to closing gaps in early childhood education, amplifying community voices and ensuring that Oakland’s youngest learners have the tools they need to thrive.
Education Grants Strengthen Practices And Programs In Schools
The Foundation awarded Education grants totaling $226,000 to enhance culturally connected literacy strategies and expand Structured Literacy and translanguaging programs across schools:
- Aspire Public Schools will sustain its early literacy infrastructure.
- Center for the Collaborative Classroom will integrate California’s Designated English Language Development requirements into its curricula, supporting English learners.
- Lighthouse Community Public Schools will pilot Tier 2 interventions in partnership with OpenLiteracy, replicating Oakland Unified School District’s intervention model.
Explore these Education grantees and their funded work.
Early Care Spaces Grants Prioritize Informal Caregivers
The Rainin Foundation awarded $773,391 through Early Care Spaces to support ten organizations to promote early literacy and language development for Oakland children from birth to five years old. Programming prioritizes informal caregivers—family, friend and neighbor providers—in Oakland’s flatlands. These adults play a critical role in early childhood education, but often lack access to resources and training.
This year we engaged a panel of early childhood education leaders and current grantees who are experienced in Oakland’s landscape to review applications and make funding recommendations. Including stakeholders in the decision-making process helps ensure we are supporting relevant and effective programs that:
- Expand children’s early literacy and language skills through creative, community-driven approaches.
- Increase parent and caregiver capacity to support literacy development at home.
- Upskill early care providers, creating pathways for professional growth and stronger educational practices.
Of the organizations that received funding, 70% are first-time applicants to the Rainin Foundation.
Meet The 2025 Early Care Spaces Grantees
These organizations will connect to families and caregivers and offer diverse solutions to promote literacy in early care:
- BANANAS Inc. will launch an Early Literacy Cohort Pilot for informal caregivers, offering coaching and community support.
- Black Californians United for Early Care and Education will implement an Ancestral Coaching Pilot, affirming Black Language and culturally connected literacy practices.
- Brighter Beginnings will host storytelling and bookmaking workshops, culminating in a citywide Early Childhood Book Fair.
- Center for Accessible Technology will pilot Universal Design for Learning strategies in partnership with Lotus Bloom to support children with disabilities.
- Dads Evoking Change will expand family literacy initiatives with interactive storytimes and take-home kits.
- LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will strengthen its Little Learners program for blind and low-vision children.
- Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) will combine artmaking and storytelling to foster language development.
- Oakland Children’s Fairyland will introduce puppetry-based storytime sessions for children and caregivers.
- Roots Community Health will transform community spaces into literacy hubs.
- Trybe Inc. will expand multilingual playgroups through its Trybe Tots program, promoting kindergarten readiness.
Learn more about these Early Care Spaces grantees and their funded work.
Want to learn more about our grantees and their partnerships? Contact our Education Team.
About The Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education and Health. We believe in taking smart risks to achieve breakthroughs. The Foundation supports visionary artists in the Bay Area, creates opportunities for Oakland’s youngest learners and funds researchers at the forefront of scientific discoveries. Since 2009, the Foundation has awarded over $57 million in funding to support evidence-based practices to help children become confident, capable and joyful learners. Learn more about the Rainin Foundation’s grantmaking.
