First 5 El Dorado Children and Families Commission places a priority on addressing the needs and interests of children prenatal to age five and their families. To this end, it intends to channel as much of its available resources into the community as is prudent.

1. Fist 5 El Dorado reviews investments and cash flow projections annually. Priorities for First 5 El Dorado funds are designated to the following specific areas.
   
   15% Sustainability
   25% Support Services
   60% Direct Services
   
   
2. First 5 El Dorado opens funding opportunities based on current needs, community and research based information.
   
   
3. First 5 El Dorado supports multi-organization community collaborative efforts inclusive of the public and private sector, community-based organizations, non-profits, and the faith-based community.
   
   
4. A variety of allocation methodologies may be utilized including (but not limited to) mini-grants, short term projects, and contracts for services. Duration of funding is designated by the commission.
   
   
5. In compliance with Proposition 10, First 5 El Dorado funding will not supplant or replace existing funding, nor pay for existing services.
   
   
6. The commission limits administrative/indirect costs to all contracts according to commission administration costs policies.
   
   
7. All funding is performance-based and requires agreed upon procedures for monitoring and evaluation.
   
   
8. Commissioners will declare a conflict of interest related to a proposal being considered for funding in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Code adopted by the commission
   
   

First 5 El Dorado has been awarding grants since FY 03-04. During that time a total of $2,829,835 has been awarded to 57 separate grants. Request For Proposal (RFP) was used until the 2006-2011 Strategic Plan was adopted, and the Commission made the decision to go in the direction of initiatives. Mini-Grants continue to use the RFP format.