What does AECF mean in UNCLASSIFIED

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a private philanthropy dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children and families in the United States. Through its research, policy analysis, grantmaking and public engagement efforts, it helps to improve the health, safety and economic well-being of vulnerable children and their families in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation focuses on four key areas: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health & Mental Health, and Family & Community Engagement. Together these create opportunities that help strengthen communities by giving children what they need to succeed.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation works to support community stability through a variety of strategies such as providing resources for economic development initiatives that help create jobs in neighborhoods with high poverty rates; investing in programs that provide quality early education; investing in initiatives that help improve access to high-quality health care services; promoting family engagement practices so parents can better support their children's learning; and supporting efforts to increase access to educational opportunities for themselves and their families.

Yes, the Annie E. Casey Foundation offers grants to organizations working within its four core areas – Economic Well-Being, Education, Health & Mental Health, and Family & Community Engagement – with an emphasis on improving outcomes for children and their families who live in low-income or underserved communities across the United States.

While there is no single type of grantee that AECF looks for when considering proposals for funding, applicants should demonstrate an understanding of current challenges within their particular area(s) of focus as well as an appreciation for how their proposed strategy can help bring about lasting change in this area(s). Additionally, proposals should include clear objectives and measurable outcomes related to how success will be evaluated against those objectives at program completion.

Yes—in order to be eligible to receive funding from the foundation you must be a 501(c)(3) organization that has been registered with either the IRS or a U.S.-based state charity agency for at least three years prior to making your application. Additionally your proposal must articulate how it aligns with one or more of our investment priorities (Economic Well-being; Education; Health & Mental Health; Family & Community Engagement).

To apply for a grant from AECF you should start by familiarizing yourself with our Investment Priorities (Economic Wellbeing; Education; Health & Mental Health; Family & Community Engagement) as well as our Grant Making Strategies - which provide an overview of how we strategically invest in promising solutions — before submitting a Letter Of Inquiry via our online form which outlines your project’s goals/objectives etc.. If approved after initial review you will then have the opportunity to submit a full proposal outlining further details which may result in an invitation to meet with members of our team prior program approval.