Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation announce grants for 38 organizations supporting early literacy in San Diego County

More children and families across San Diego County will gain access to early literacy and learning opportunities through $2 million in grants announced by the Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation.

The grants are made in collaboration through Dr. Seuss Foundation’s Bright Futures initiative and the Ready to Learn endowment at San Diego Foundation, funded by the Dr. Seuss Foundation.

The funding is distributed through two programs:  

Ready to Learn: supporting children from birth to age 5, with a focus on early literacy, language development and learning   

Bright Futures: supporting children up to age 8, with an emphasis on school readiness, experiential learning and social-emotional development  

Grants will support organizations expanding programs that build early literacy, promote healthy development, and prepare children for success in school and beyond. Some organizations will receive up to $90,000 in combined support from both initiatives.  

These grants were launched in collaboration with San Diego Foundation, and applicants were able to apply using a Common Application. The first of its kind in our region, this streamlined process provided access to two aligned funding opportunities through a single application.  

This work builds on a longstanding partnership between Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation, which has invested nearly $5 million in local organizations. In 2025, the Dr. Seuss Foundation established a $15 million endowment at San Diego Foundation to support early literacy efforts for years to come.  

The 2026 grantees play an important role in helping children, from infants to age 8, learn, grow and build a strong foundation for the future. To learn more about the grantees, visit our full list.