New Grant Opportunity! – First Round Application Opens on March 29, 2022
Child Care Facility Revitalization Grants
The new Child Care Facility Revitalization Grants program opens March 29, 2022, with federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This is a new grant program to address child care facility needs and is a key element of the State of Minnesota’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the child care sector. This grant program will be administered by First Children’s Finance, through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It will be available for the next two years, with applications accepted every three months starting March 29, 2022, and ending spring 2024.
Grant Purpose
Applicants may apply for facility improvements, minor renovations, and related equipment and services, including assistance to meet licensing requirements needed to establish, maintain or expand licensed and legal unlicensed child care and early childhood education sites. Grant funds may not be used for construction or major renovation of facilities.
Eligibility for Facility Revitalization Grants
The following types of child care programs located in Minnesota are eligible to apply:
- Licensed child care centers
- Certified child care centers
- Licensed family child care
- Legal, non-licensed child care registered with CCAP, and
- New child care providers seeking licensure.
New child care programs that are not yet licensed must provide a copy of their license application and background study clearance. Items requested in a facility revitalization grant application must be the final items needed for licensure based on the pre-licensure visit checklist.
Minimum and Maximum Grant Amounts by Provider Type
The following minimum and maximum grant amounts are available. Maximum grant amounts vary by program type. Applicants may apply for less than the maximum grant amount. Grants will be awarded based on a project budget with estimated costs as part of the application.
- $100 – $20,000 – Licensed Child Care Centers
- $100 – $10,000 – Certified Child Care Centers
- $100 – $15,000 – Licensed Family Child Care
- $100 – $500 – Legal, Non-Licensed Provider Registered with CCAP
How to Apply
The grant application will be available for the first round of funding on March 29, 2022, with applications due on April 12. The grants portal will be available beginning at 9:00 am on March 29 and can be accessed at the First Children’s Finance website: www.firstchildrensfinance.org/for-businesses/grants
How to Learn More
Visit the First Children’s Finance website: www.firstchildrensfinance.org/for-businesses/grants
An introductory webinar on March 24, 2022, at 6:30 pm will provide child care providers with information about this grant program including who is eligible, what the funds can be used for, maximum grant size by provider type, and how to apply. Registration is limited, but this webinar will be recorded and posted on the First Children’s Finance website for access and review by potential applicants. The webinar will be available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
Register in advance for this meeting through Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcO-tpzsoEtWHutVbMQLDfUe_wOg1bKf9
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
One on One Technical Assistance for Grant Applicants
Assistance completing the application is available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings during each two-week period that the grant program is open for applications. Technical assistance can be requested by calling First Children’s Finance at 612-473-6020 or emailing grants@firstchildrensfinance.org.
Interpreter Services will be made available by appointment and can be arranged by sending an email to grants@firstchildrensfinance.org.
To receive further emails regarding Facility Revitalization Grants including quarterly reminders on application deadlines, updates, or other funding opportunities through First Children’s Finance, please email grants@firstchildrensfinance.org and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.