Florida Daycare and Child Care Grants
Day care is not just a business you can do from home. It is also a service which is very important to the community. Not all people have the character or personality to take handle a daycare. Unfortunately for these chosen few entrepreneurs, it’s not that easy to find the funding to start a daycare.
Sourcing the funding for a business usually starts with the immediate funds or cash on hand. These include savings, pension, long-term funds (like the kids’ college fund or the retirement fund). Additional source of funds can also come from close friends and relatives and from angel investors. But after all those possibilities have been exhausted, realistically, the daycare startup has to go to the bank to file for a possible startup loan.
Another possible source of funding, aside from the above traditional sources, would be government grants. These could be federal or state grants which are specific to funding for existing daycare services and startups. One good thing about these day care grants is that you can apply for and be given multiple grants, given the type of grant and the area you’re located. The procedure for getting these grants are not much different from approaching investors for your business. It’s also a good thing that the process is usually straight-forward. This allows the daycare owner to get the much needed additional funding to run and sustain a daycare.
Among the most important document for submission to avail of these grants is a proposal. This outlines the services of the daycare, the demographics of the community, as well as the requirements for operation and the need for a daycare within the area. Additionally, the daycare owner can ask assistance from the local Child and Family Services Office for some help in availing of the grants.
Different Sources of Grants
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Federal
Federal grants are funded by the different agencies of the federal government. Typically, grants from a federal agency are funneled down to the communities through state agencies.
U.S. Department of Agriculture – It has two agencies with start-up/expansion funding programs:
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) has facility funding available for non-profits or local governments that support child care facilities. (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/index.html)
The Rural Business Cooperative Service has guaranteed loan programs for small business development available for profit child care programs. For eligibility or to apply for any of their programs, contact the state or local Rural Development Office, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd.map.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – The agency has funding programs that support child care services. The Child Care Bureau has several funding programs for child care facilities. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – It supports child care facilities near or within public housing, EZ/EC’s, or low-income areas through facility construction using block grants, programs, and networks. To determine eligibility or to apply for any of their programs, contact the state HUD office at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/states
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – It provides small businesses financing options, technical assistance, and child care resource information. Check with your local SBA offices at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html
U.S. General Services Administration – It has programs that allow the donation of surplus federal personal property to state and local public agencies and qualifying nonprofits, which include child care centers. Please contact http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW&contentId=10092&noc=T
There are other federal programs that support child care such as:
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) provide child care vouchers to subsidize the cost of care for low-income families as well as funds for state child care quality improvement initiatives. Nearly half of all children receiving CCDF subsidies are between the ages of five and 12. States are required to utilize at least 4 percent of their CCDF funds on quality activities and may also use discretionary funds earmarked by Congress for school-age care quality improvements and/or resource and referral activities. States may choose to use these funds to support initiatives to improve the quality and availability of school-age care, such as training programs or capacity-building grants for afterschool providers.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds, which provide financial support for low-income families, may also be used to support afterschool programs in ways consistent with one or more of the four purposes of the TANF program. States may either directly spend TANF funds on afterschool programs and initiatives, or states can transfer up to 30 percent of their federal TANF allocation to the CCDF. TANF funds transferred to CCDF are subject to all of the CCDF rules and requirements, and can be used to expand out-of-school time capacity-building and quality-enhancement efforts. Direct TANF spending can provide states with additional flexibility when it comes to afterschool care. For example, funds can support services for older youth and can support programs as well as individual subsidies for children.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) is the only federal funding source that exclusively supports afterschool programs. The purpose of 21CCLC is to support community learning centers that provide students with a broad array of academic enrichment services, including tutoring, homework help, and community service, as well as music, arts, sports, and cultural activities. When the program first began in 1998, the U.S. Department of Education made competitive awards directly to school districts. However, following the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, 21CCLC was converted into a state formula grant program. As a result, the Department of Education awards grants to State Education Agencies (SEAs), which then manage statewide competitions to grant funds to eligible organizations.
Federal Food and Nutrition Programs may support snacks or meals for afterschool program participants. After school programs may be able to receive reimbursements from one of four different food and nutrition programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: the National School Lunch Program: Afternoon Snacks, the Child and Adults Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program and the School Breakfast Program. Reimbursement from these programs can be used to free up funds already spent on meals and snacks to support other program components.
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State
State agencies fund child care assistance under Family Child Care and Development Grants. Application for the child care grants and health grants can be made through www.governmentgrants.us. In addition to this government agency of the state, funding sources could be obtained from the following sources:
Children & Families
George H. Sheldon, Secretary
The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economically Self-Sufficient Families, and Advance Personal and Family Recovery and Resiliency.
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96ABUSE
Florida Adoption Hotline: 1-800-96ADOPTFlorida’s Children and Youth Cabinet
To ensure that the public policy of Florida relating to children and youth promotes interdepartmental collaboration and program implementation in order for services designed for children and youth to be planned, managed and delivered in a holistic and integrated manner to improve the self-sufficiency, safety, economic stability, health and quality of life of all children and youth in Florida.Contact Information:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 -
Private
Private foundations that are based or operating in the State of Florida, as well as those operating nationwide, can also be tapped as source of funding for the establishment and operation of child care business, support for parents and families to avail of child care services, and the training of professionals in the field of child care. Some of these foundations are the following:
Bank of America Foundation
The Bank of America Foundation operates with one of the largest philanthropic budgets of any financial institution in the United States. In 2001 it contributed more than $85 million in cash to nonprofit organizations across the country. It concentrates funding on pre-K through grade 12 educations and supports programs in early childhood development, economic and financial education, and teacher development. Community revitalization is another focus for funding nonprofit organizations.Contact Information:
http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.cfm?template=overview&statecheck=CACharles Stewart Mott Foundation
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a private philanthropy based in Flint, Michigan. Through four programs, it makes grants in the United States and selected regions internationally.In 1997 the foundation and the U.S. Department of Education entered a multi-year partnership in support of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). The foundation helped support the Urban Institute’s Assessing the New Federalism project.
Contact Information:
http://www.mott.org/about.aspxRockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF)
RBF is dedicated to promoting the well-being of all people in the transition to global interdependence. One of the goals of the fund’s Education Program is to promote universal, quality education and care for pre-K children by using a comprehensive approach to their development, including concerns for health, safety, and readiness to learn. Strategies include supporting development of public policies that promote universal access to early childhood programs, and advancing the professional development of early educators.Contact Information:
http://www.rbf.orgA.D. Henderson Foundation
The Mission of the A.D. Henderson Foundation is to provide an opportunity for all children to succeed, with a special interest in promoting literacy for children and families. We also seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector to serve the interests of our communities. The Foundation limits its grant-making to Broward County in Florida and the State of Vermont.Contact Information
Florida Office
Katherine Danio, Program Director
(954)764-2819
katherine@hendersonfdn.orgVermont Office
Edward A. Gale, Program Director
(802) 888-1188
egale@hendersonfdn.orgHenderson Foundation Office
Karen Pfeiffer, Senior Administrator
The A.D. Henderson Foundation
P.O. Box 14096
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4096
(954) 764-2819
staff@hendersonfdn.org
http://www.hendersonfdn.org/Alvah H. & Wyline P. Chapman Foundation
The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation currently makes grants in support of not-for-profit organizations where the trustees and members live and are involved in the community. The Foundation will consider requests for support from organizations that have developed successful, innovative and creative programs that address the following: Children and Families, especially those at risk; Education, at all levels; Interracial and multiethnic harmony and the fostering of multicultural understanding; Substance abuse prevention; Programs serving the homeless. Under special circumstances, organizations in parts of Georgia where the Chapman family has traditionally had interests may also be eligible to apply.Contact Information:
http://www.chapmanfoundation.org/
The Alvah H. & Wyline P. Chapman Foundation
Attn: Alan Sayler
P.O. Box 55398
St. Petersburg, Florida 33732-5398Chartrand Foundation – Jacksonville
The Foundation supports valuable non-profits throughout the community that bring services to children and their families through Education and Community Support.Contact Information:
2038 Gilmore Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
904.632.8385
info@chartrand.com
http://www.thechartrandfoundation.org/Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Foundation accepts grant applications in the following areas: Arts and Humanities—increasing audiences for local artistic pursuits; Community Development—encouraging access to and use of community-based development methods; Education—supporting early childhood development, primary education through completion of high school, and preparation for employment; Environment—promoting ways to conserve resources, encourage responsible animal welfare and protect wildlife; Health—supporting basic medical, dental and mental health needs; Human Services—aiding families, youth, seniors, the disabled and the disadvantaged.Contact Information:
https://www.cfsarasota.org/
2635 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34237
941.955.3000Coral Gables Community Foundation
Established in September 1991 by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, through its discretionary, donor-advised, and scholarship funds have helped the youth, elderly, and disabled, and have provided dental care for needy children, sponsored cultural activities, awarded academic, dance, and music scholarships, and offered seminars to educate the public on important health, finance, and estate-planning issues.Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
1825 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134-4418Physical Address:
3001 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 1st Floor, South, Coral Gables, FL 33134-6817
T 305.446.9670 | F 305.446.3773
http://www.gablesfoundation.org/Dade Community Foundation
The Foundation supports local nonprofit organizations with grants and technical assistance. It makes grants in the broad program areas of education, health, human services, arts and culture, environment, community and economic development. In addition to our unrestricted funds, our grantmaking through field of interest funds addresses the needs of the economically disadvantaged, abused and neglected children, immigrant and refugee populations, people with HIV/AIDS, homelessness, social justice, black affairs, care of animals, and heart disease.Contact Information:
http://www.dadecommunityfoundation.org/Disney Community Relations Program
Walt Disney World Co. extends a caring hand to the children of our community. Our programs and partnerships help to build better futures for our children and, ultimately, a stronger community for us all. It is the goal of Disney—Helping Kids Shine to engage children in society by creating healthy, guiding relationships with adults, providing constructive free time activities, offering character-building opportunities, and encouraging a sense of compassion for others, while helping those children who face adversity.
Contact Information:
http://conservation.wdwpublicaffairs.com/ContactPage.aspx?cid=ef1ff875-3e92-4d17-83b3-1c92e5d06371
http://conservation.wdwpublicaffairs.com/TopicContentCal.Aspx?PageId=6a66f05e-1d44-4549-8d61-a9af3f807a74Dr. P. Phillips Foundation
The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on educational programs, children and youth services, social services, cultural programs, and health or rehabilitative programs. Geographic focus: Orange and Osceola counties, Florida.Contact Information:
http://www.drphillips.org/
Mail: P.O. Box 3753 Orlando, FL 32802-3753
Office: 60 West Robinson Street Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 422-6105
Facsimile: (407) 422-4952
E-Mail: info@DrPhillips.orgEducation Foundation of Collier County
The Education Foundation of Collier County, founded in 1990, is an independent not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to enhance learning for Collier County children and their teachers by engaging community support. Having begun with just a single program, The Education Foundation’s initiatives have evolved to support recruitment, retention, and recognition of excellent teachers and principals, and programs designed for individual student success all within a larger community-wide framework to support education.Contact Information:
http://www.educationforcollier.org/
The Education Foundation of Collier County
3606 Enterprise Avenue, Suite 150
Naples, FL 34104
Phone: (239) 643-4755
Fax: (239) 643-4799Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation – Miami-Dade County
In continuing a “tradition of giving,” Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation award grants for a variety of purposes and projects dealing principally with children’s issues, including: Education; Physical Therapy/Health; Counseling/Rehabilitation; and, Welfare. Further, the Foundation funds organizations (with general community interests) that provide or support, directly or indirectly: Medical/Health Care Assistance; Clothing/ Food and Shelter; and, the Arts (as both a medium for expression and as a way of developing greater communication and understanding within and between communities).Contact Information:
http://www.kennedyfamilyfdn.org/
The Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation
1550 Madruga Avenue, Suite 225
Coral Gables, FL. 33146
ph. (305) 666-6226
fax. (305) 666-2441Hayes Family Foundation
The Hayes Family Foundation exists to promote intergenerational family unity by using venture philanthropy to enhance the effectiveness of worthy organizations within our communities. Areas of funding interest include: Women and families — including programs that promote independence and empowerment. Programs that promote independence and empowerment. Education — such as child mentoring and after school programs. Job Training — for those in need. Capacity Building. The Foundation concentrates its giving in the areas in which the Hayes family lives and works, including St. Johns & Duval Counties in Florida, Atlanta, GA, and Macon and Jackson Counties in North Carolina.Contact Information:
http://www.hayesfamilyfoundation.org/
917 South 1st Street, #601
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904)246-4447 Fax (904)246-4480
hayesfamilyfoundation@gmail.comHector Family Foundation – South Florida
The broad purpose of the Hector Family Foundation is to strengthen vulnerable families with an emphasis on promoting the health, well-being, productivity, and security of underprivileged and disadvantaged children and youth of South Florida.Contact Information:
http://www.hectorfoundation.com/
Hector Family Foundation
P.O. Box 432130
Coral Gables, FL 33143
e-mail: info@hectorfoundation.comHelios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit organizations focused exclusively on education within Arizona and Florida. The Foundation works to improve student success across the education continuum in the areas of: Early Childhood Education; the Transition Years (Grades 5 – 12); and Postsecondary Scholarships.Contact Information:
http://www.helios.org/
Phoenix Office
2415 E. Camelback Road
Suite 500
Phoenix, Arizona 85016-4288Phone: 602 381 2260
Fax: 602 381 2299
Email: info@helios.orgHolland & Knight Charitable Foundation
The Foundation’s two most notable community programs, Opening Doors for Children and the Holocaust Remembrance Project, rely strongly on Holland & Knight individuals who give generously of their time and talent to improve the lives of youth through mentoring, tutoring and scholarships. Most of the financial support of the Foundation comes from Holland & Knight LLP and members of the Holland & Knight law firm family. Key areas of support include: Arts and Sciences, Child Services, Education, Health and Disability Issues, Homelessness Assistance, Indigent Legal Services, International Relief and Civic Causes.Contact Information:
http://foundation.hklaw.com/
Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Post Office Box 2877
Tampa, Florida 33601-2877Telephone: 813-227-8500
Fax: 813-229-0134
Toll-Free: 1-866-HK-CARES (1-866-452-2737)Malone Family Foundation
The mission of The Malone Family Foundation is to promote positive changes in the lives of people, who in turn can build and enhance the communities in which they live. We support initiatives that improve the quality of education, the motivation and the self-esteem of students from pre-kindergarten through higher education. The Foundation has an especially strong interest in supporting innovative endeavors that lead to a better-educated population and a higher standard of living. Geographical areas: Alabama, Georgia and Florida.Contact Information:
http://www.themalonefamilyfoundation.org/
P.O. Box 531085
Birmingham, AL 35253
(205) 423-0901
info@themalonefamilyfoundation.orgManatee Community Foundation
The Foundation accepts proposals in the following areas: Arts and Humanities – increasing audiences for local artistic pursuits; Community Development – encouraging access to and use of community-based development methods; Education – supporting early childhood development, primary education through completion of high school, and preparation for employment; Environment – promoting ways to conserve resources, encourage responsible animal welfare and protect wildlife; Health – supporting basic medical, dental and mental health needs; Human Services – aiding families, youth, seniors, the disabled and the disadvantaged. Geographical focus area County of Manatee, Florida.Contact Information:
http://www.manateecommunityfoundation.org/
Marilyn Howard
Executive Director
(941) 556-5444
marilyn@manateecf.orgNaples Children & Education Foundation
The Naples Children & Education Foundation is committed to supporting charitable programs that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at risk children in Collier County. With over 90% of the children in the community living in poverty, NCEF has committed a substantial amount of funds over the next three years to the following initiatives:Out of School Services (after school/summer programming, etc); Early Childhood Development; Pediatric Pre- and Post-Natal Medical Care.
Contact Information:
http://www.napleswinefestival.com/NCEF_grants.cfm
Naples Winter Wine Festival
6200 Shirley Street, Suite 206
Naples, FL 34109
Phone: (239) 514-2239
Toll-Free: (888) 837-4919
Fax: (239) 514-2376Peacock Foundation
Established by Henry B. Peacock, Jr. in 1947, the mission of Peacock Foundation, Inc. is to enhance and promote the good health and well being of children, families, and underprivileged persons in Southeast Florida, through contributions, gifts, and grants to eligible nonprofit organizations.Contact Information:
http://www.peacockfoundationinc.org/
Mrs. Joëlle Allen
Executive Director
100 S. E. Second Street, Suite 2370
Miami, Florida 33131
305-373-1386Rice Family Foundation
The Rice Family Foundation is working to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, particularly children, by investing in educational initiatives in Florida. In carrying out its mission, the Rice Family Foundation considers a wide range of proposals concerning educational and developmental programs. However, the Foundation currently has a particular interest in enrichment programs strategically directed at early childhood literacy. The Foundation accepts unsolicited funding inquiries on an on-going basis. Initial contact should be in the form of a Letter of Inquiry, no more than four pages in length. The accepted format for a Letter of Inquiry to the Rice Family Foundation can be downloaded from our website page entitled Grant Application and Evaluation Reports.Contact Information:
info@ricefamilyfoundation.org
http://www.ricefamilyfoundation.org/Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation was created in 2004 by Best Buy founder, Dick Schulze. He wanted to give back to the community in which he and his family grew up and gave him so much in return. It is Dick’s strong belief that a good education, supportive family and strong work ethic will prepare children for a successful future. To ensure families have the ability to be all they can be, the foundation focuses on the following areas: education programs, food, shelter, afterschool programs and camps. The foundation focuses its work and grants in the following geographic areas: Hennepin, Dakota & Ramsey Counties of Minnesota; Collier, Lee and Hendry Counties of Florida and Napa County in California. Currently, we do not make grants outside of these areas.Contact Information:
http://www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org/
P.O. Box 390316
Edina, MN 55439-0316
952.324.8924 phone
952.324.8925 faxScaife Family Foundation
The Foundation grant awards will support and develop programs that strengthen families, address issues surrounding the health and welfare of women and children, promote animal welfare, and that demonstrate the beneficial interaction between humans and animals. The Foundation will consider grants directed toward early intervention and prevention efforts in the area of drug and alcohol addiction. Consideration may be given to organizations that encourage private conservation.Contact Information:
http://www.scaifefamily.org/
Ms. Barbara M. Sloan, President
Scaife Family Foundation
777 South Flagler Drive
West Tower, Suite 903
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund
The Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund, grants are awarded three times a year to nonprofit organizations supporting the needs of South Florida children and families. Since 1991, more than $35 million has been granted to organizations in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Children’s Fund supports the following types of programs: Food, shelter and emergency assistance, Education, Mental and physical health, Abuse and neglect prevention, Arts and culture.Contact Information:
Sun Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-356-4000 T
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/custom/childrensfund/sfl-cfund-homepage,0,3425660.htmlstory
