The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) was founded in 1966 by a small group of scientists who had a vision—to conduct research that would make a difference in children's lives, support families, and inform public policy. Since its inception FPG has recognized that every child deserves a safe, healthy, and stimulating childhood; and our work has been dedicated to making this experience a reality for all children. For more than five decades, our research, evaluation, implementation, technical assistance, and outreach have shaped how the nation cares for and educates children.
Your Gift Matters
Our success in securing highly competitive grants and contracts has enabled us to build one of the largest early childhood research institutes in the country, but individual contributions like yours make the difference. Your charitable contribution to FPG is more than a gift. It is a demonstration of your commitment to helping children and families thrive. It shows that you understand the complex issues facing young children today and that you want to partner with us for a better tomorrow. Read more about the impact of your gift.
Early in her career as a clinical psychologist, Barbara Wasik, PhD, noticed how engaging with other professionals opened her mind to new and different ideas. These opportunities inspired a lifetime of learning that she continues to pay forward for others. "I personally benefited from meeting professionals who motivated and challenged me to expand my work," said Wasik, a longtime researcher with the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor emerita at the UNC School of Education. "Knowing the positive influence these occasions had for me has led me to make similar opportunities available for others at FPG and on UNC's campus." Read the full story.
Marvin H. McKinney, PhD, has spent his entire career committed to breaking down barriers of racial and economic inequality that put children, and their meaningful development in this world, at risk. Now a program dedicated to supporting and cultivating young scholars who are driven to build careers in areas that advance the lives of children bears his name. The Marvin H. McKinney Scholars Program in Research, Practice, and Policy at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute honors McKinney, a former postdoctoral fellow at FPG, longtime educator and collaborator, and emeritus member of FPG's Executive Leadership Board. Read the full story.
Anna Morgan, a 2020 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill from Raleigh, NC, has always been interested in what makes us human. At Carolina, she chose to major in psychology, where she quickly learned how research could lead to answers for her biggest questions about how human beings—especially those with special needs—navigate the world, and how she could be a part of improving the human experience for all. In recognition of her commitment to investigating the tools children and adolescents need to live their best lives, Morgan received the inaugural Barbara Davis Goldman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, which acknowledges an outstanding undergraduate student who has participated in research activities at FPG. Read the full story.
Funding Opportunities
Your contribution to FPG enables us to advance a variety of initiatives. An unrestricted gift to Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute allows our director the flexibility to use your gift where the need is greatest. A gift to our endowment—The FPG Child Development Institute Fund—helps to grow a stable source of annual income that supports our work. You can also support the funding opportunities described below.
The Barbara Davis Goldman Award Fund
This fund was established to acknowledge the longstanding commitment of Dr. Goldman to empowering, mentoring, and teaching undergraduate students at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in their pursuit of meaningful research experiences. The annual Barbara Davis Goldman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research recognizes an outstanding undergraduate student who has participated in research activities at FPG. You can make a secure gift online to The Barbara Davis Goldman Award Fund through the University Development website.
Equity Research Action Coalition
The Equity Research Action Coalition co-constructs actionable research with practitioners and policymakers to support the optimal development of Black children prenatally through childhood using a cultural wealth framework. The coalition focuses on eradicating the impact of racism and poverty on the lives of Black children, families, and communities, and ensuring children's optimal health, well-being, school readiness and success, and overall excellence. You can make a secure gift online to the Equity Research Action Coalition through the University Development website.
FPG Child Development Institute Distinguished Speaker Series
The distinguished speaker series was launched in 2018 to foster collaborative engagement of scientists across disciplines to address complex challenges facing children and families. Through the series, FPG sponsors conversations with thought leaders and high-impact scholars to better engage the campus community and promote interdisciplinary research focused on children and families. You can make a secure gift online to the FPG Child Development Institute Distinguished Speaker Series through the University Development website.
FPG Child Development Institute Inclusion Fund
This fund provides financial support for activities that advance the inclusion of young children with disabilities in early childhood programs as well as for individuals—including family members and practitioners—to participate in professional development and training activities sponsored by FPG that address the care and education of young children with disabilities. You can make a secure gift online to the FPG Child Development Institute Inclusion Fund through the University Development website.
The James J. Gallagher Dissertation Award Fund
Named to honor former FPG Director and Senior Scientist Dr. Jim Gallagher, this annual award provides support for dissertation research at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill focusing on issues related to child development and family support. Priority is given to research on young children, children with disabilities, or children with gifts and talents. The Director's Office oversees an annual competition for the award. You can make a secure gift online to The James J. Gallagher Dissertation Award fund through the University Development website. Read More
The Joanne Erwich Roberts Memorial Fund
Established to honor the memory of FPG Senior Scientist Dr. Joanne Roberts, this endowment supports the early career development of researchers through an annual Early Career Award. Dr. Roberts’ primary appointment was at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. She also was Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Research Professor of Pediatrics, and actively involved in the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. The Director's Office oversees an annual competition for the award. You can make a secure gift online to The Joanne Erwich Roberts Memorial Fund through the University Development website.
The Marvin H. McKinney Scholars Program
The Marvin H. McKinney Scholars Program in Research, Practice, and Policy provides undergraduate students from North Carolina's HBCUs with 10 weeks of paid employment, as well as the opportunity to participate in meaningful, project-based work in preparation for their careers and in pursuit of their professional interests. Interns gain familiarity with how FPG contributes to positive outcomes for young children and their families through research and evaluation, implementation, technical assistance, and policy engagement. You can make a secure gift online to The Marvin H. McKinney Scholars Program through the University Development website.
National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice
The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) is conducting a systematic review of the current intervention literature targeting individuals on the autism spectrum from birth through age 21. NCAEP works to identify evidence-based practices as well as provide free, online intervention resources and modules that help practitioners learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring evidence-based practices with learners with autism. You can make a secure gift online to the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice through the University Development website.
The Richard M. Clifford Fund for International Collaboration on Early Learning Environments
The Richard M. Clifford Fund for International Collaboration on Early Learning Environments provides support to promote work on assessing learning environments for young children with a focus on fostering international collaborations among researchers and other professionals at UNC-Chapel Hill, other universities, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies. You can make a secure gift online to The Richard M. Clifford Fund through the University Development website.
The Thelma Harms Early Childhood Education Fund
Named to honor FPG Scientist Emerita, Thelma Harms, this annual award provides financial support for the study of early childhood programs in the United States and abroad such as comprehensive quality assessment and related curriculum development. You can make a secure gift online to The Thelma Harms Early Childhood Education Fund through the University Development website.
How to Give
You can make a charitable gift to FPG by contacting Erica Nouri or by mailing your check payable to UNC-Chapel Hill to:
UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Attn: Director's Office
Campus Box 8180
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8180
Or, you can make a charitable gift securely online through the University Development website.
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company has a matching gift program, please list the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the charitable organization, tax identification number 56-6001393. The University will apply your match to the same purpose to which you designated your personal gift. You can mail your matching gift form to:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
PO Box 309
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0309
If you would like to recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF) to FPG, please contact FPG_Leadership@unc.edu for assistance.
In addition, there are numerous financial vehicles available to assist individuals with making thoughtful planned gifts to FPG. You can read our legacy case statement to learn more about how your planned gift would be transformational for the Institute. Please contact UNC's Office of Gift Planning at 800.994.8803 or createalegacy@unc.edu if you would like to discuss gifts of retirement assets, securities, business assets, bequests, or property.
Our Donors
Each year we receive gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations that make our life-changing work on behalf of children and families possible. Some of our donors make recurring gifts to FPG each month—helping to sustain our work in a critical way. Some of our donors make gifts to FPG every year—faithfully championing our work and transforming lives. To each and every one of our donors, we offer a heartfelt, "Thank you!"
