Closed
RFP: Play Learn Thrive
Funding for innovative early childhood development projects in emergencies
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 300,000 - $ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Closing date : September 23, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
Grand Challenges Canada, supported by The LEGO Foundation, offers targeted financial assistance to innovative projects aimed at improving early childhood development and education in emergency settings across Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, and Uganda. The program is designed to support groundbreaking ideas as well as scale-up successful interventions, with funding amounts tailored to the project's maturity and scope.
These grants aim to address critical gaps in support for vulnerable children affected by crises, fostering scalable and sustainable solutions that can be adapted for broader use across the target regions. Both proof-of-concept and scaling projects are encouraged to develop evidence-based approaches, with an emphasis on innovation, impact, and long-term sustainability.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 300,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : September 23, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and testing of innovative educational tools for children affected by emergencies.
- Implementation of community-based support systems for children’s developmental needs.
- Scaling successful interventions across wider regions or populations.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Legally registered not-for-profit organizations operating in Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, or Uganda.
- Organizations with active local presence implementing relevant programs.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations without legal registration in the eligible countries.
- For-profit companies or commercial enterprises.
- Applicants lacking active local operations or presence in the target regions.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities unrelated to children’s development or education in emergency contexts.
- Expenses for projects outside of the eligible countries or without active local presence.
- Non-initiatives not aligned with the program’s focus on scalable solutions.
- Activities not directly contributing to project objectives or deliverables.
Eligible geographic areas
Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, UgandaFrequently Asked Questions about the RFP: Play Learn Thrive Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the RFP: Play Learn Thrive. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the RFP: Play Learn Thrive?
Grand Challenges Canada, supported by The LEGO Foundation, offers targeted financial assistance to innovative projects aimed at improving early childhood development and education in emergency settings across Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, and Uganda. The program is designed to support groundbreaking ideas as well as scale-up successful interventions, with funding amounts tailored to the project's maturity and scope. These grants aim to address critical gaps in support for vulnerable children affected by crises, fostering scalable and sustainable solutions that can be adapted for broader use across the target regions. Both proof-of-concept and scaling projects are encouraged to develop evidence-based approaches, with an emphasis on innovation, impact, and long-term sustainability.
How much funding can be received?
RFP: Play Learn Thrive Funds up to $1,500,000 of admissible expenses.
What expenses are eligible under RFP: Play Learn Thrive?
Development and testing of innovative educational tools for children affected by emergencies.
Implementation of community-based support systems for children’s developmental needs.
Scaling successful interventions across wider regions or populations.
Who can I contact for more information about the RFP: Play Learn Thrive?
You can contact Grand Challenges Canada (GCC).
Where is the RFP: Play Learn Thrive available?
The RFP: Play Learn Thrive program is available across Canada.
Is the RFP: Play Learn Thrive a grant, loan, or tax credit?
RFP: Play Learn Thrive is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the RFP: Play Learn Thrive?
RFP: Play Learn Thrive is funded by Grand Challenges Canada (GCC)