History

The West Side Children's Fund (WSCF) was founded in 1884 as the West Side Day Nursery (WSDN) with a mission “to care for young children during the absence of their parents.” One of the earliest proponents of child care in the nation, WSDN began as a private charity and established and ran a day nursery located at 468/470 West 43rd Street until 1953.

As New York’s need for childcare grew and moved from privately funded nurseries to publicly funded day care centers, the WSDN shifted its efforts to assist and expand childcare programs. The West 40th Street building was sold and the proceeds invested, creating an endowment fund. The WSDN became the sponsoring board for a city-funded day care center in the Bronx for the next 35 years, until 1995. During that time, WSDN also gave grants to more than 75 organizations throughout the city.

Today

The West Side Children's Fund today is a philanthropic foundation that focuses on the childcare needs of working families. WSCF offers grants to qualified organizations in New York City, carrying on the generous spirit of WSDN. These grants offer financial assistance to providers of safe, quality out-of-school time and afterschool services for children on the Upper West Side which, despite common perception, is still home to many underserved communities.

The Grant Program

Approximately $55,000 is available annually. Individual grants range up to $10,000. In 2008 WSCF was able to provide seven grants averaging $9,000.

Grant Guidelines
Organizations must meet the following criteria to qualify for funding:

• Accredited 501(c)(3)
• Provide out of school services five days a week to children aged 4-11
• Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in zip codes 10023-10027

To submit a grant proposal for your organization, please include the following:

• One-page statement about the purpose and goals of your organization and program including how your program meets our funding criteria
• Board approved annual budget for your agency
• Total project budget and current sources of funding for your organization
• Most recent audited financial statement
• Organization’s tax exemption letter
• A list of the Board of Directors

Grant applications or other inquiries can be submitted to info@westsidechildrensfund.org.

Proposals deadline is May 1 and grants are announced by June 30. A site visit will be part of the proposal evaluation process.

Thank you for your interest.

For additional questions or inquiries please email: info@westsidechildrensfund.org.