Nebraska Daycare & Child Care Grants
Quality child care is known to increase the productivity, as well as develop, the workforce, and lowers government spending on public services. However, inadequate public policy and market inconsistencies result in a dysfunctional child care market, making the child care business financially unsustainable. To keep the child care business above water, operators will need additional funding to break the barrier to financial viability. Additional funding, however, is difficult to find in the present economic landscape as bank loans are very difficult to obtain.
A better alternative to a bank loan is to look for grants that are given by many organizations, both government and private. While a single grant may not be enough to start a child care business, it is possible for a child care center to obtain multiple grants to finance its operation. The best source of grants for a child care center is the local Child and Family Service Office which can help a child care center access several grant programs. In addition, local businesses can also be tapped to contribute money toward the establishment and maintenance of a child care center.
Applying for a grant is not as difficult or daunting as it may seem. Most organizations that provide grants have ready application forms which are generally self-explanatory. Some grants are provided for child care centers that work with specific groups of children but it is not the general requirements for most of the child care grants. The basic requirements for availing of a grant include a business license to operate a child care center and a federal tax identification number.
Most grant applications require a grant proposal, which is simply a request for a grant that outlines the reasons why the child care center should be entitled to it. The grant proposal, therefore, must “sell” the business to the grant approval board by enumerating the purpose of the center and the population it will serve. The proposal must explain how the child care center can provide a positive impact on the community that it aims to serve. The proposal must also explain how the grant will be specifically used for.
Different Sources of Grants
- 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.
- 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:
Child Care Grant Fund
The Child Care Grant Fund has $200,000 to award yearly to Nebraska child care providers.Providers must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Making minor building modifications absolutely necessary to meet licensing requirements for new (not yet licensed) programs.
- Making minor building modifications or purchasing equipment to increase the number of infants, children with disabilities, children who may be ill, and/or school-age children served.
- Making minor building modifications for licensed providers changing from a Family Child Care Home I to a Family Child Care Home II or a Family Child Care Home II to a Center.
Applications are available on a monthly basis. Home-based facilities can apply for up to $5,000 and centers can apply for up to $10,000. Once an award is received, applicants may not apply again for three years.
Emergency Mini-Grants
Emergency Mini-Grants award a total of $50,000 throughout the year. Providers must be licensed and requesting items that are required to meet licensing standards with appropriate documentation. The maximum amount of the Emergency Mini-Grant is $2,000 for providers with an operating license. Providers with a provisional license can apply for up to $1,000. A facility can receive an Emergency Mini-Grant once every three years. Applicants not funded may reapply.Legally Exempt Grant
Providers who provide care for families who receive child care subsidy and are not required to be licensed because they care for fewer than four children, may apply for the Legally Exempt Grant. The maximum amount of this grant is $100. These grants can be used for mats, first aid kits, electrical outlet covers, cribs, telephones and deposits, cots, smoke alarms, lock boxes, playpens and toys. once funded, providers may reapply for this grant after three years.
Quality Improvement Grant
The Quality Improvement Grant awards a maximum of $500 to child care homes or child care centers for items that will improve the quality of the services offered to children. Applications are accepted monthly, and eligible applicants must be licensed, and must currently be serving low-income children. Once a grant has been awarded, applicants may not reapply for funding until three years have passed.For more information, contact:
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Grants Manager, Child Care Program
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
Phone: (402) 471-9152
E-mail: Diane LewisNebraska Head Start
Program Description
The Head Start program (for children ages 3-5) and Early Head Start program (for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers) promote school readiness for children in low-income families by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services. Parents play a large role in the programs, both as primary educators of their children and as participants in administering the programs locally. Both programs provide pre-literacy and literacy experiences in a multi-cultural environment. Parents are also provided social services, including assistance with childcare. Services are also available to migrant and seasonal farm worker families.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Nebraska, you must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for a child who is too young for public school and your household’s annual income before taxes must not exceed $10,830 if one person lives in the household; $14,570 if two people live in the household; $18,310 if three people live in the household; $22,050 if four people live in the household; $25,790 if five people live in the household; $29,530 if six people live in the household; $33,270 if seven people live in the household; $37,010 if eight people live in the household; and $40,750 if more than eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $3,740 for each additional person in the home.
If you do not meet these criteria, you may still qualify if you are a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident whose financial status is low income or very low income, who is under-employed, unemployed or about to become unemployed, facing pregnancy, less than 19 years of age yourself, or the parent or primary caregiver for children under the age of 19 years. Other qualifications may apply.
Application Process
The Head Start Locator provides a searchable database of Head Start programs. To apply for this program please visit the following website, which will direct you to the Head Start office nearest to you:
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOfficesProgram Contact Information
You can visit the Nebraska Head Start Association at:
http://www.nde.state.ne.us/ECH/nehsa.htmlYou may also contact the Nebraska Department of Education by calling at:
402-471-2296 - Private
Private foundations that are based or operating in the State of Kentucky, 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.orgArmstrong McDonald Foundation
The mission of the Armstrong McDonald Foundation is to continue the philanthropic ideals and goals of James M. McDonald, Sr. through prudent and impartial review of all qualifying grant requests received annually to insure that awards are made to soundly conceived and operated non-profit organizations. Areas of funding interest include Animal Welfare, Children and Youth, Education, Health, Relief and Social (community outreach, homeless shelters, shelters for abuse women and children), Special Needs. Effective December 2008, the Armstrong McDonald Foundation will only accept unsolicited grant requests from those IRS approved non-profits listed on the “Pre-Approved for Grant Submission List.” All other IRS approved non-profits desiring to submit a grant request to this foundation must meet three qualifications.LEGAL ADDRESS: 3420 EAST SUNRISE DRIVE, SUITE 200 TUCSON, AZ 85718
APPLICATION ADDRESS: PO BOX 70110, TUCSON, AZ 85737-0110
TELEPHONE: 520-878-9627
FAX: 520-797-3866
E-MAIL: info@ArmstrongMcDonaldFoundation.orgBank of the West
The mission of the Bank’s Charitable Contributions Program is to help meet the needs of the communities we serve by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. The Bank will consider requests for contributions from nonprofit organizations that qualify under the following charitable giving categories: Community and Economic Development, Education and Job Training, Health and Human Care, Civic and Cultural.The Bank actively grants charitable contributions in the communities we serve, which includes several counties in the following 19 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Contact Information:
https://www.bankofthewest.com/about-us.htmlConAgra Foods Foundation
The ConAgra Foods Foundation seeks to partner with impactful organizations that address childhood hunger and nutrition needs in the communities where our employees live and work. While any organization that is working to address community needs is eligible for funding, preference will be given to those that seek to provide children and their families with access to food and nutrition education. Religious organizations such as churches, mosques and synagogues may qualify only if their outreach programs are offered to the general population regardless of religious affiliation AND they have established a separate 501(c)(3) organization to operate the funded program(s). ConAgra Foods has offices in Omaha, Nebraska, Kennewick, Washington, Naperville, Illinois, Edina, Minnesota.Contact Information:
http://company.conagrafoods.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=202310&p=foundationCooper Foundation
Our highest priorities are Education, including projects recognizing global inter-relationships; Human Services; the Arts; the Humanities and the Environment. A low priority is assigned to capital campaigns. Highest priority is given to proposals for program or operating funding and all grants are made in Nebraska, with the majority in Lincoln and Lancaster County.Contact Information:
Cooper Foundation
870 Wells Fargo Center
1248 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68508402-476-7571 (phone)
402-476-2356 (fax)
info@cooperfoundation.orgLincoln Community Foundation
The Lincoln Community Foundation purpose is to promote community philanthropy by working with individuals, families and organizations in the Lincoln, Nebraska area. The Foundation supports specific interest areas such as the arts, environment, the homeless or hungry, animal welfare, etc.Lincoln Community Foundation
215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 474-2345
Fax: (402) 476-8532
Email: lcf@lcf.org
www.lcf.orgNebraska Children and Families Foundation
Our work centers on supporting programs and initiatives that are designed to benefit communities, families and children. We provide support through an integrated system of grantmaking, programs, technical assistance, education, and advocacy. Our blend of resources are designed to support children and their families in the following areas: Early Childhood Care and Education, Prevention of Child Abuse, Prevention of Entry into the Child Welfare System, Promoting School Success/Prevention of Truancy and Transitioning to Adulthood.Contact Information:
http://www.nebraskachildren.org/Peter Kiewit Foundation
Areas of interest of the Peter Kiewit Foundation for grant making purposes are broad and include the arts, education, children and families, community development, health, and human services. The Peter Kiewit Foundation funds programs, facilities, and capital projects. The Foundation is interested in receiving applications for specific, defined projects or programs, but generally excludes funding requests for support of debt retirement, operational deficits, hospitals or health care facilities. Geographic Focus: the State of Nebraska, Western Iowa within 100 miles of Omaha, community of Sheridan, Wyoming, the community of Rancho Mirage, California.Contact Informatin:
The Foundation staff is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time) to answer questions about the Peter Kiewit Foundation grantmaking process. Staff will discuss the eligibility of your organization to apply. Once eligibility has been established we will send our application materials.
Phone: 402-344-7890
Fax: 402-344-8099
http://www.peterkiewitfoundation.org/page.aspx?id=29&pid=7Sherwood Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation is committed to improving child and family welfare through community investments in the following areas: public education, human services; and social justice. Formerly the Susan A. Buffett Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation limits grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Omaha, Nebraska.Contact Information:
http://www.sherwoodfoundation.org/
