Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Alma Children's Education Foundation
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
Canadian charitable foundation founded in 2010 by Alan Harman that creates and implements play-based and project-based education programs for indigenous children in Peru and Bolivia. The organization has completed 57 projects and currently manages 26 programs, working with local communities and educational authorities to develop critical thinking, creativity, and harmonious values. View Alma Children's Education Foundation's website for more information.
Content last updated: March 24, 2026
About Alma Children's Education Foundation
What is the mission of Alma Children's Education Foundation?
To create and implement play-based and project-based education programs utilizing local indigenous knowledge and language to reinforce critical thinking, creativity, analytical reasoning, and harmonious values to shape socially responsible and environmentally conscious individuals within indigenous communities in Peru and Bolivia.
What type of organization is Alma Children's Education Foundation?
Alma Children's Education Foundation is a Foundation.
When was Alma Children's Education Foundation founded?
Alma Children's Education Foundation was founded in 2010.
What is Alma Children's Education Foundation's official website?
Alma Children's Education Foundation's official website is https://www.almafoundation.ca/.
What else should I know about Alma Children's Education Foundation?
Role in the Funding Ecosystem
The Alma Children's Education Foundation operates as a charitable foundation that directly funds and implements educational projects in underserved indigenous communities in Peru and Bolivia. Rather than providing grants to other organizations, Alma acts as both funder and implementer, creating its own education programs and partnering with local educational authorities.
Funding Model and Approach
Alma uses a microfinance and microphilanthropy approach, with all projects operating within a $12,000 annual budget. The organization requires community participation, with local communities contributing at least 10% of project costs (contraparte). Projects are designed to become self-sustaining within 3-4 years when revenue sources are identified, or transferred to Ministry of Education support within 3 years when partnered with educational authorities.
Program Areas
Alma focuses on early childhood and primary education in indigenous communities, emphasizing play-based and project-based learning. Their curriculum is derived 100% from local context, culture, and language. Programs include teacher training, virtual classrooms, emotional well-being training, and community education initiatives.
Partnerships and Institutional Relationships
The organization works extensively with regional education management units (UGEL) in Peru and Departmental Education Directions (DDE) in Bolivia. Current contracts include a two-year agreement with the Beni region in Bolivia (8,500 teachers) and Cusco region in Peru (towards 20,000 teachers).
Transparency and Accountability
Alma publishes annual reports and uses unique performance measurement indicators focused on holistic outcomes including attendance, academics, critical thinking, creativity, values, and parental engagement. The organization conducts quarterly evaluations and monthly video portfolio reviews.