Grant Details

The Dekko Foundation works to foster economic freedom through education. The Foundation considers projects under the following focus areas:

• Early Childhood Development - Their goal is to prepare young people for lives of economic freedom, and it all starts in the critical years from birth to age five. During this time children benefit when the adults in their lives understand how they are growing and learning and know how to apply that understanding. Investments make a measurable difference in:
  • The number of parents who thrive in their role as their child's first and best teacher.
  • The number of homes, childcare centers and preschools that put child development principles into practice.
  • The number of early childhood programs with the ability to support children's development.
  • The level of community involvement in the development of children ages birth to five.
• Middle Childhood Development - Growth and learning in middle childhood builds on the foundation that was laid in early childhood. While they continue to rely on their parents and their familiar surroundings, children from age six through twelve become voracious explorers of the world around them. Investments make a measurable difference in:
  • The number of parents who are involved in the quality of their child's education.
  • The number of traditional learning environments that shift their focus on adult needs toward a concentration on children's needs.
  • The number of learning environments that align with children's developmental needs.
  • The number of Developmental Assets that children possess.
  • The number of youth-serving organizations with the ability to address the developmental needs of 6-12 year olds.
  • The level of community involvement in the development of 6-12 year olds.
• Adolescent Childhood Development - To be ready for a life of economic freedom, a young person must have the opportunity to learn skills, acquire knowledge and build character. Beginning at about age thirteen, young people begin to think about their purpose in life and crave ways to apply the experiences and information that they've gained during their childhood. Investments make a measurable difference in:
  • The number of parents who are actively involved in the quality of their child's education.
  • The number of traditional learning environments that shift from a focus on adult needs toward a concentration on children's needs.
  • The number of learning environments that align with children's developmental needs.
  • The number of Developmental Assets that adolescents possess.
  • The number of youth-serving organizations with the ability to address the developmental needs of 13-18 year olds.
  • The level of community involvement in the development of 13-18 year olds.
  • The number and of quality leadership opportunities where young people can gain a closer connection to their community.
  • The number and quality of opportunities for young people to gain real responsibility and take meaningful steps toward economic freedom.
• Community Development - Only vibrant communities are able to adequately support the development of their children and young people. The best of those communities act as economic freedom role models for their citizens. Investments make a measurable difference in:
  • The number of communities that have the baseline information they need to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
  • The number of communities that have an overall plan for addressing their needs and building on their strengths.
  • Communities' ability to provide families with leisure-time activities that expose young people to new areas of interest.
  • The number of communities that consider young people as they develop business opportunities, provide leadership skill development and promote charitable activities.
  • The number of communities that ensure that young people and families have the opportunity to build a strong bond with their community