Together, we’re shaping more effective investment in early childhood across the UK
We connect UK funders to work more effectively together — strengthening early childhood systems and improving outcomes for children and families.
The Early Childhood Funders Partnership brings together over 40 UK-based organisations investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD).
By strengthening coordination and fostering collaboration, we drive long-term improvements in outcomes for children (from pre-birth to age five), their families, and the communities, services and policies that support them.
Our mission: to increase our collective impact by improving how early childhood funders work together — with greater intentionality, transparency, coordination and effectiveness — so the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
What we do
We bring funders together to connect, learn and collaborate — supporting more joined-up and effective investment in early childhood.
More about the partnership
Our members
Our Members are a diverse group of funders focused on improving early childhood outcomes, ranging from charitable trusts and foundations to organisations supporting research, practice and systems change.
They contribute in different ways — from grant-making and capacity building to research, policy and campaigning — united by a shared commitment to strengthening early childhood systems.
Meet a selection of our member organisations…
Get involved
For funders
The Partnership brings together funders supporting early childhood development (0–5 / pre-birth to reception) in the UK, including organisations with broader funding portfolios beyond early childhood.
Membership is intended for organisations investing financial support, capacity-strengthening, research or other resources across more than one initiative or area of work, and with the ability to develop their approach over time. Members should be interested in connecting, learning and collaborating with other funders.
For delivery organisations and others
The Partnership is currently focused on supporting learning, coordination and collaboration between funders, and we are not able to act as a funding gateway or promote individual requests directly to members.
As part of our developing Funder Platform, we hope over time to create more equitable ways for organisations to share information and connect with funders.
If you would like to register your interest in this work, or have another relevant enquiry about the Partnership, please get in touch: