Kansas Daycare and Child Care Grants
For people who have a heart and fondness at children, putting up a child care center can effortlessly be their craft. Of course, patience with the children as well as the nitty-gritty details of how it can be set up comes along with the idea. Initial and major questions arise on where to source out money to use as capital, especially now, when applying bank loans had been difficult. It may be discouraging with starting as the hardest part. Now, the good thing is, there are organizations who give grants.
Instead of dealing with interests or pressures made by bank loans, grants have given hope to child care center operators with such, as a better alternative. Application can be made to either private or government organizations who offer grants. There are even some who offers multiple grants when a single one could not suffice for the financial need.
The best source of grants for a child care center is the local Child and Family Service Office. It can help a child care center acquire several grant programs if necessary.
Since most grants are made to fund a specific project, organizations offering these might require some level of compliance and reporting. Fundamental requirements would include a business license to operate a child care center and a federal tax identification number. Getting this in the first place would make it a step easier knowing that most organizations offering grants have available application forms that are generally self-explanatory.
Business starters would generally look up to acquiring funds for capital by the use of grants. This would make a head-to-head competition for every operator applying for such. It all would boil down as to how the grant proposal will be made. It should outline reasons on why the child care center should be awarded a grant and how it will be specifically used for. The approval for the grant by the board will be based on the purpose of the child care center, the population it caters, and the benefits made available for the community it aspires to serve. Grant proposals seem synonymous to betting for grants. The grant proposal written should be able to win the approval of the organization for entitlement to a grant.
Financial instabilities may come as with any business started, maintenance requires a whole lot of continual effort. Every bit of child care center may come on shaky ground, but it is for operators who desire to be of service to working parents in the community, their determination, and care for children which can definitely keep them going since setting up the business has already given them a jumpstart.
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’s Alliance of Kansas
The mission of the Children’s Alliance is to promote the success and influence of its member agencies to assure comprehensive, relevant and effective services in a fully integrated public private network that protects and strengthens the welfare of children and families in Kansas. It provides effective advocacy, conduct comprehensive training, deliver operational support, produce relevant research and provide consultation services to its members.212 Southwest 7th Street
Topeka, KS 66603-3790, United States
(785) 235-5437 -
Private
Private foundations that are based or operating in the State of Kansas, 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.orgCentral Kansas Community Foundation
Currently, Central Kansas Community Foundation awards grants through the Central Kansas Kids FUNd and Women’s Community Fund. More information is available by clicking the buttons on the left or by contacting our office.http://www.ckcf.net/for-non-profits.shtml
sandi@ckcf.netCommunity Foundation of Southwest Kansas
The Community Foundation will be accepts grant requests from non-profit organizations, schools and government entities that are concerned with children’s well-being and development.
Contact Information:
http://www.communityfoundationswks.com/
pat.cfsk@sbcglobal.net
(620) 225-0959
PO Box 1313 • Dodge City, KS 67801Hallmark
At Hallmark, community involvement begins in the hometowns. These include Kansas City, Mo., our corporate headquarters city, as well as locations where we operate production and distribution facilities: Liberty, Mo.; Lawrence, Leavenworth and Topeka, Kan.; Enfield, Conn.; Metamora, Ill.; Columbus, Ga.; and Center, Texas.Funding decisions are guided by a philanthropic vision based in the belief that people’s lives are enriched through caring connections, that gifts should demonstrate empathy and caring. Most of Hallmark’s civic initiatives occur in and around Kansas City, and many of our activities are behind the scenes. Grants are made to dozens of organizations serving children and families, arts and culture, education and urban neighborhoods.
Contact Information:
http://corporate.hallmark.com/Community/Charitable-Giving
Mailing Address: Hallmark Cards, Inc.
P.O. Box 419034
Mail Drop 216
Kansas City, MO 64141-6580Physical Address: Hallmark Cards, Inc.
2501 McGee Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64108Call 1-800-HALLMARK
(800-425-5627)Thomas County Community Foundation
The Thomas County Community Foundation is based in Colby, Kansas serving all citizens of Thomas County including the towns of Rexford, Gem, Colby, Mingo, Menlo, Levant and Brewster. We are committed to being a community catalyst and a central place for both incoming tax-deductible donations and outgoing grant assistance for local non-profits, charities and government agencies in our County. Areas of funding interest include Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Arts & Education, Children & Youth, Scholarships, Senior Citizens.Contact Information:
http://www.thomascountycommunityfoundation.com/
Thomas County Community Foundation
350 South Range, Suite 14
Colby, Kansas 67701
Phone: (785)460-9152
Fax: (785)460-9153Email: tccf@st-tel.net
Westar Energy Foundation
The Foundation, along with employee and retiree volunteers, supports programs that prepare youths, kindergarten through college, to successfully participate in our society and improve the communities in which they live. As a general rule, we target youth and education and support programs that are designed to achieve the following goals: Improve academic performance of youths, Prepare youths for the world of work and community leadership. Preference will be given to requests meeting the following criteria: The organization serves children and youths, particularly through educational programs related to enhancing employment opportunities and other programs related to the general well being of the community.Contact Us
(785) 575-6300
http://www.westarenergy.com/corp_com/contentmgt.nsf/publishedpages/community%20services%20foundationWomen’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City
From its beginning, the foundation’s target has been programs specifically for girls and women, consistent with its goal of changing the feminine face of poverty. Since 1992, The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City has helped thousands of women and children across the area access the services they need by awarding over $1.8 million in grants to local agencies. The grants have given local health centers the resources they need to provide better and more accessible services.The Foundation has helped improve the self-esteem of women and girls by funding organizations that run support groups and personal healing and growth programs. It has also helped provide safe housing to women and their children by supporting programs that offer emergency shelter and affordable housing to victims of domestic violence.
Contact Information:
The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City
6950 Squibb Road, Suite 220 Mission, KS 66202
Ph: 913.831.0711
Fax: 913.831.0881
women@wfgkc.orgEwing Marion Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private foundation that looks beyond need to identify and develop pivotal opportunities for improving the education of children and creating successful businesses in Kansas City and nationwide. Through a series of grants, the foundation will invest $10 million over 5 years in demonstration projects to improve the quality of early education for children in Kansas and Missouri. The projects are designed to promote positive outcomes for young children and their families by linking professional development, quality of early education, and increased teachers’ compensation. The foundation has supported publication of major resources in early childhood education, including From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development, and a public policy report, Financing Child Care.
http://www.emkf.org
