Gateway Early Childhood Alliance
Partnering to expand possibilities for St. Louis's youngest children and their families
>44
New prospective funders identified
>495K-$2.2M
Estimated grant capacity per funder
The Mission
In St. Louis, Gateway Early Childhood Alliance is working to transform how the region supports its youngest learners. By bringing together parents, providers, employers, policymakers, philanthropy, and advocates, they are advancing a more equitable early childhood system—so that all children, regardless of race, income, or zip code, have access to high-quality care and education.
The Challenge
As The Alliance looked toward the future, they knew expanding their impact would require expanding their funding too. Their team already had relationships with some local funders, but they wanted to go further: to build a broader funding pipeline and strategically target new opportunities. With a lean staff and big goals, they knew they’d benefit from outside partnership—without losing momentum or pulling resources away from their mission.
The Journey
Grants Plus partnered with The Alliance to create a customized Grants Game Plan. We listened closely to understand their priorities and the change they’re driving in the region, then got to work identifying aligned funders whose giving supports equity, early childhood, and community transformation. We prioritized funders based not just on potential, but on feasibility—so The Alliance could act with focus and clarity.
The Results
The Alliance is now equipped with a clear, prioritized roadmap of new funding opportunities, grounded in strategy and tailored to their mission. With that plan in hand, they’re poised to focus their efforts, engage new funders with purpose, and keep moving forward—without missing a beat.
KEY OUTCOMES
- 44 new prospective funders identified
- $495K – $2.2M estimated grant capacity per funder
- Tailored engagement strategies provided for top prospects
- Strategic roadmap delivered to guide focused grant-seeking efforts
“ Dividing the research results into priority groups based on the potential and feasibility of approaching each funder is incredibly valuable to our organization. It allows us to efficiently focus our efforts on the most promising funders, optimizing our limited resources and maximizing impact despite having a small staff. ”
Kate Loar
Vice President, External Relations
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