Washington Daycare and Child Care Grants
One of the most difficult parts in putting up your own daycare center is where to get funding. Since many private companies and government agencies support the welfare of children, availing grants is a great option to think about. However, it is quite hard to obtain a grant for a profit daycare center business because the government usually prioritizes the funding for non-profit organizations. Nonetheless, here are some things that you can do in order to get daycare grants for your daycare center.
The first thing that you need to do is to conduct some research on grants that are available in your own state government. You can search the main website of your state government regarding child care funds or grants. After having a general search, you can intensify your search by exploring special loan programs in your state. Contact the Small Business Administration, your local economic development department and your local licensing office and gather information on funds for profit small business childcare centers.
You can also search for the CFDA or the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for federal daycare grants for daycare owners. You can also check there the requirements, as well as eligibility and procedures involved. You can also check the United States Department of Agriculture and inquire about the grants they give with regards to the nutrition of the children. You can ask them the requirements to get funding for the children’s meals and snacks.
Lastly, you can contact the private organizations and foundations for special grants. You can focus your search on organizations that address children’s educational needs as well as those that cater to the well-being of the disadvantaged and low-income children. After searching from the sources above, you can already choose what grant to apply for and prepare the documents needed for the process.
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:
Early Childhood Development and Health
Head Start’s commitment to wellness embraces a comprehensive vision of health for children, families, and staff. The objective of Child Health and Development Services is to ensure that, through collaboration among families, staff, and health professionals, all child health and developmental concerns are identified, and children and families are linked to an ongoing source of continuous, accessible care to meet their basic health needs.
The objective of Education and Early Childhood Development is to provide all children with a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment, in order to help them gain the awareness, skills, and confidence necessary to succeed in their present environment, and to deal with later responsibilities in school and in life. Each child is treated as an individual in an inclusive community that values, respects, and responds to diversity. The varied experiences provided by the program support the continuum of children’s growth and development, which includes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each child.
Family and Community Partnerships
Head Start offers parents opportunities and support for growth, so that they can identify their own strengths, needs and interests, and find their own solutions. The objective of Family Partnerships is to support parents as they identify and meet their own goals, nurture the development of their children in the context of their family and culture, and advocate for communities that are supportive of children and families of all cultures. The building of trusting, collaborative relationships between parents and staff allows them to share with and to learn from one another.
Head Start serves families within the context of the community, and recognizes that many other agencies and groups work with the same families. The objective of Community Partnerships is to ensure that grantee and delegate agencies collaborate with partners in their communities, in order to provide the highest level of services to children and families, to foster the development of a continuum of family centered services, and to advocate for a community that shares responsibility for the healthy development of children and families of all cultures.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/programs/index.html#ecd
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
The Office of Head start (OHS) launched the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) in 2006 with a clear and innovative mission: to provide timely information and learning opportunities relevant to the Head Start and Early Head Start community, and to serve as a comprehensive resource for anyone involved in early childhood education.
Head Start programs and parents visiting the ECLKC will find the latest information on OHS priorities, policies, and programs. The ECLKC also offers tips and promising practices on many early childcare topics including child development, education, and health.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/eclkc/index.html
Washington Head Start
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 Washington, 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.
Working Connections Child Care
The Working Connections Child Care Program helps families to pay for child care.
Who is eligible:
Households with parents who are working, or are participating in a DSHS approved work activity and whose children meet citizenship requirements.
Kinds of child care DSHS can help pay for:
- Licensed or certified child care centers
- Licensed or certified family child care homes
- Relatives who provide care in their own homes
- Adults who come to your home to provide care
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Private
Private foundations that are based or operating in the State of Washington, 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.aspx
Rockefeller 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.orgThe Avista Foundation, a community investment program of Avista Utilities, provides funding to non-profit organizations addressing the needs of communities and citizens served by Avista Utilities in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, portions of sourthern Oregon, as well as Sanders County, Montana. Focus areas: education – supports K-12 education particularly in the fields of science, math and technology; and higher education including scholarships provide college scholarships for engineering, vulnerable and limited income populations – provides assistance to those on limited incomes and support for initiatives to reduce poverty, economic and cultural vitality – supports projects that help our communities and citizens to grow and prosper.
http://www.avistafoundation.org/who_are_we.asp
Mail at:
Avista Foundation
MSC-68PO Box 3727
Spokane, WA 99220-3727Phone at:
509.495.8156E-mail at:
contributions@avistacorp.comBarbour County Community Foundation
The mission of the Barbour County Community Foundation is to build a better life for the citizens of Barbour County in work, play, and retirement. This young foundation has given grants in education, health services, arts, recreation, and beautification.
Contact Information:
http://www.barbourcountycf.org/
The Barbour County Community Foundation is entirely volunteer operated.
Roger Bolton, President
(304) 823-1831
Sales@townandcountrycpd.comLeonard LoBello
Lobello@ab.eduThe 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.
https://www.bankofthewest.com/about-us/community-support/charitable-investments.html
1-800-488-BANK (2265)Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Their Pacific Northwest program assists vulnerable children and families in Washington state and the greater Portland, Oregon area by supporting housing, early learning, and other community service programs
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Pages/home.aspx
Main Office
PO Box 23350
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 709-3100
info@gatesfoundation.orgThe 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.
http://company.conagrafoods.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=202310&p=foundation
http://www.conagrafoodscompany.com/utilities/corporate/contact.jspThe Cooper-Levy Trust was created to provide financial support for the United Way and to other nonprofit agencies providing food, shelter, basic services, and medical care to low-income families and children in Washington state. Grant funds are awarded to human services agencies of King, Pierce, Spokane, Snohomish, and Yakima Counties. Grantee organizations are 501(c)(3) agencies providing direct services to indigent and needy families with children in Washington state. The Trust supports general operations as well as special projects.
http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/cooperlevy/
Contact person:
Therese Ogle, Grants Consultant
Phone: (206) 781-3472
E-mail: OgleFounds@aol.comD.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Trust
The D.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Trust was established in 1969 to help give a better start in life to all children, both educationally and physically. Most grants are made to social service agencies addressing basic human needs for children and youth. The Trust is also interested in providing creative and positive opportunities to enhance the lives of our region’s children through a variety of artistic and cultural programs. Geographical area – greater Puget Sound region.
http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/mceachern/
Union Bank
PO Box 3123
Seattle, WA 98114
Phone: (206) 781-3472
E-mail: OgleFounds@aol.comSince its inception, the foundation has granted approximately $5 million to qualified charities, primarily in the Tacoma-Pierce County area. Charitable contributions have been made to organizations focusing on children, families and the elderly; civic improvements; culture and the arts; education, and healthcare.
http://www.dimmerfoundation.org/
Dimmer Family Foundation
1019 Pacific Ave., Suite 916Tacoma, WA 98402
fax: (253) 572-4647The Harrington-Schiff Foundation will support general operations, special projects, small capital expenses, start-up efforts or long-time established programs. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations addressing the following issues: Environmental protection and education, Services for low-income families, with particular emphasis on children and seniors, Arts and cultural programs for children providing sustained, hands-on opportunities. Geographical limit: Grant proposals will be accepted from Greater Puget Sound area organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/schiff/
Therese Ogle
Foundation Consultant
Phone: 206-781-3472
Email: OgleFounds@aol.comMail completed proposals to:
Cynthia Crawford, Vice President
Harrington-Schiff FoundationUnion Bank
P.O. Box 3123
Seattle, WA 98114-3123Jim Mora Count On Me Family Foundation
The Jim Mora Count On Me Family Foundation was created to support children in need, primarily in three target areas: children from low socio-economic backgrounds, mentally and physically challenged children, and children at-risk. The Foundation affords children the opportunity to realize their potential and dreams by working with organizations helping to create more stability in their lives, supporting advocacy for children, and supporting channels that allow children to have a voice.
http://www.countonmefoundation.org/index.html
The June & Julian Foss Foundation supports programs and projects directed to children and youth, that promote values and that encourage an entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of curiosity and wonder. Our major goal is to change the life situations of young people in order to help them grow into healthy, responsible adults. We prefer to fund programs that provide preventive options, rather than enrichment experiences (as important as those are). The Foundation’s priority interests are: Children and Youth, Children and Young Adults with Major Mental Illness. Grant applications are accepted from organizations located in Tacoma, Washington; Portland, Oregon; the San Francisco Bay Area; and in Miami and Minneapolis.
http://www.fossfoundation.org/
The Kirlin Charitable Foundation holds as its particular passion the relationships that constellate around children, and within their educational environments. These relationships determine, beginning as early as pregnancy, the nature and vitality of the child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual development. The Foundation mission is to serve as a catalyst and innovative partner in positive social change, helping children and their families become lifelong learners and thoughtfully active, compassionate members of our global community.
http://www.kirlinfoundation.org/
Kirlin Charitable Foundation
2607 2nd Avenue
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98121206.686.8226
The Moyer Foundation funds organizations that help children in severe distress–children with life threatening illnesses or physical limitations, children who are coping with the loss of loved one, children who are victims of abuse or neglect. Support from The Moyer Foundation provides organizations with much needed resources to expand programs, purchase supplies, and enable children and their families to receive services and support. To be considered for funding, an organization must be located in the Pacific Northwest, designated as a not-for-profit and tax exempt as defined under IRS 501 (c) 3 codes.
http://www.moyerfoundation.org/
Address:
2426 32nd Ave WSeattle WA, 98199
Phone:
206-298-1217FAX:
206-298-1207
