The FRD Foundation, established by Frances R. Dewing, focuses on providing seed money for the intellectual stimulation of young children. With a history deeply rooted in innovative ideas and philosophy, the foundation aims to nurture open-mindedness and creativity among children up to grade 6. As a small, non-profit, charitable organization, it supports teaching methods that encourage new ways of thinking, awarding approximately 20 to 30 grants annually.
The grant program of the FRD Foundation has a clear objective to support innovation in early childhood education. It emphasizes funding new, untried, or unusual projects and programs that have the potential for significant educational or community impact. With a preference for being a major contributor to the projects it supports, the foundation offers small grants, typically ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. These grants aim to provide seed money necessary for developing and experimenting with new educational methods and tools, specifically targeting early childhood education projects for children up to the sixth grade.