Build A World Of Play Challenge
Launched on February 16, 2022, the $143 million (900 million Danish Kroner) Build A World Of Play Challenge will support bold and impactful solutions focused on early childhood. With this Challenge—which celebrates the LEGO® brand’s 90th year—the LEGO Foundation will fund transformative ideas to help solve the biggest global challenges facing children from birth to age six.
About the Challenge
The Build a World of Play Challenge—designed and managed by Lever for Change—seeks evidence-based innovative solutions to critical issues, such as access to quality early childhood education and care, adequate nutrition, eradication of toxic stress in homes and communities, reduction of violence in homes and communities, protection from pollution, and supporting the social and emotional well-being of the whole family.
These solutions should make a substantial contribution to the lives of children from birth to six years old and spark a global movement to prioritize early childhood development.
Grant amounts and structure
Up to ten finalists will be selected in late summer 2022. Each finalist will receive USD 1 million to strengthen their proposed plan, start building their team, and scale up to successfully implement their innovation.
Selecting from amongst the finalists, up to five awards will be announced by the end of 2022. Grants totaling approximately USD 143 million will be distributed among the awardees. There will be three grants of approximately USD 30 million each and two grants of approximately USD 15 million each.
Awardees will be selected based on how impactful, feasible, community-centered, and sustainable their applications are, among other criteria.
Next steps
All interested organizations must register to apply before 4 p.m. U.S. Central Time on April 7, 2022. Complete applications are due before 4 p.m. U.S. Central Time on May 17, 2022, when they will be assessed by expert reviewers.
Learn more about our scoring rubric and process.
Learn more about our expert evaluators.
Read our answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact us
The LEGO Foundation invites other philanthropists to join in funding top-ranked organizations that will emerge through this process. Donors interested in providing additional funding for the Build World of Play Challenge should contact Dana Rice, Vice President of Philanthropy at Lever for Change.
Media inquiries should be directed to Marc Moorghen, Communications Director at Lever for Change.
All general and technical questions about the Challenge should be directed to [email protected].
