West Virginia Daycare and Child Care Grants
You may have decided upon a location for your daycare business, are abreast of your business’ licensing requirements and regulations, have set up your business structure, and have created a business plan. Besides your own resources, where will you come up with initial funding for your daycare business?
There are many funding options available for your daycare businesses. Once you have gathered funds from your own resources, friends, family, the next step is to look into government programs and private institutions which offer daycare grants. First contact the United States Small Business Administration. Many government programs offer grants and subsidies to childcare businesses.
A subsidy is an ongoing payment, usually provided by the government, which covers essentials such as food. Subsidies are typically based on need. Subsidies are given to the individual in need to give to the center, or given directly to the daycare center on behalf of the individual in need.
A daycare grant is a one-time payment given to a childcare center for a specific need or project. There are several types of grants available: Local grants, federal grants and private grants.
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
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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:
Child Care
West Virginia’s Child Care Program is dedicated to improving the affordability, accessibility and quality of child care services. To improve affordability, the Division of Early Care & Education manages a statewide system of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, which provide resource information and financial assistance to eligible families. Financial assistance covers the majority of the cost of direct care and protection of children while parents work, attend training, or are otherwise unable to provide care. The agencies also educate consumers on selecting appropriate child care and refer parents to providers in their area.
The Child Care Program also promotes safe environments that promote healthy physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children by regulating persons or programs that care for children age birth to 13 or up to age 18, if the child has special needs.
Families are eligible for financial assistance if their monthly gross income (before taxes and deductions) falls below 150% of FY 2009 Federal Poverty Level. Once eligible, the family may continue to receive certificates until income exceeds 185% of FY 2009 Federal Poverty Level. Income is adjusted for family size, as the chart indicates. Most families pay a portion of the cost of care.
Partners Implementing an Early Care and Education System (PIECES)
The PIECES Advisory Council shall:
- Establish a vision for the early care and education system in West Virginia for children birth through 5 years of age.
- Develop a comprehensive plan of early care and education which coordinates early care and education programs including child care, head start, birth-to-three, public early childhood education programs, and other programs serving families with young children throughout the state.
- Support ad hoc committees, as needed, using expertise from various disciplines including early care and education, higher education, and health to assist with specific issues such as professional development and curriculum.
- Create guidelines for local collaborative groups to use in building community capacity and redesigning services in local communities to reduce duplication and maximize resources.
- Establish rules for programs that participate in the provision of universal pre-kindergarten services for four year olds.
- Develop a process and guidelines for DHHR and DOE to approve county plans for universal pre-kindergarten programs.
- Design functional “one-stop shops” capable of providing referrals to all necessary services for young children and their families.
- Improve the involvement and support of business in early care and education.
- Recommend legislation for comprehensive programs for children birth through five, as well as recommendations for any additional funding.
- Provide information about meetings and Council decisions to their constituencies, as applicable.
- Meet on a monthly basis, or more frequently as needed, until July 2004. Meetings will be open to the public.
- DHHR and DE will provide staff support, including meeting minutes, for the PIECES Advisory Council.
West Virginia 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 West Virginia, 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
For more information on West Virginia Head Start, please visit:
http://www.wvheadstart.org/If you would like to speak with a State representative regarding the program, you can also call the West Virginia Office of Head Start State Collaboration at: 304-558-4638
Or send an e-mail to: questions@wvheadstart.org -
Private
Private foundations that are based or operating in the State of West Virginia, 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.orgThe Appalachian Community Fund (ACF) is a publicly supported, non-profit grantmaking organization that provides resources and support to grassroots organizations working to overcome the underlying causes of poverty and injustice in Central Appalachia (East Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and West Virginia).
Its vision is to work for the day when Appalachia’s land, air and water are saved from destruction and contamination; where the economy is stable, strong, and provides diverse employment opportunities for all people; where government and industry are accountable to human needs without exploitation of people and their health; where justice, equity, appreciation of diversity and celebration of our common humanity replace racism, sexism, heterosexism and other “isms”; where wealth and resources are shared equally; where all children grow up free from hatred and violence; and where justice overcomes oppression in any form.
http://www.appalachiancommunityfund.org/
Appalachian Community Fund
530 South Gay Street, Suite 700
Knoxville, TN 37902865.523.5783 – phone
865.523.1896 – faxGaye Evans, Executive Director
gaye@appalachiancommunityfund.orgKathy Jennings-Johnson, Administrative Coordinator
kathy@appalachiancommunityfund.orgMargo Miller, Development Director
margo@appalachiancommunityfund.orgFor questions regarding grant opportunities, please contact Gaye Evans.
Barbour 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/
Roger Bolton, President
(304) 823-1831
Sales@townandcountrycpd.comLeonard LoBello
Lobello@ab.eduThe Beckley Area Foundation, Inc. makes annual discretionary grants to charitable organizations in the areas of education, health and human services, the arts, public recreation, scholarships and civic beautification. Programs funded through this annual community grant application process must be located in Raleigh County, WV. Applications must be postmarked by December 15 or the first business day following if the deadline falls on a weekend.
Contact Information:
http://www.beckleyareafoundation.com/
Email: funds@beckleyareafoundation.com
Beckley Area Foundation
129 Main Street, Suite 203
Beckley, WV 25801Phone: (304) 253-3806
Boone County Community Foundation
The mission of the Boone County Community Foundation is to enrich the community by inspiring people to care for each other and future generations through service and charitable giving. Areas of funding interest include art and culture, education, health and human services, recreation and community development.
Contact Information:
http://www.boonecountyfoundation.org/
The Boone County Community Foundation is located at 330 State Street in Madison, WV. Our office is on the second floor of the Shaffer Building. You may visit our office or contact us at the following:
P.O. Box 695
Madison, WV
25130Phone: (304) 369-0511
Fax: (304) 369-5431
E-mail: bccf@shafferlaw.netThe Carl M. Freeman Foundation has historically emphasized our support in the communities where we live and work – including Montgomery County, Maryland; Sussex County, Delaware; and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. During our history we have been proud to provide significant grants to a wide variety of community organizations seeking funding – and have supported everything from arts organizations and hunger centers to educational and health related organizations.
Contact Us
http://www.freemanfoundation.org/carl/
36097 Sand Cove Road
Selbyville, DE 19975Vice President of Outreach & Programming
patti@freemanfoundation.org302-436-3003
Relationship Manager
trish@freemanfoundation.org302-436-3555
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
In keeping with the wishes of Michael and Sarah Benedum, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is a regional philanthropy focusing on West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Foundation generally invests two-thirds of its grant dollars in West Virginia and one-third in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Foundation makes grants in three program areas that span both states: Education, Economic Development, and Civic Engagement. In addition, the Foundation supports programs that are unique to each state; in West Virginia, they are Health & Human Services and Community Development.
Contact Information:
http://www.benedum.org/pages.cfm?id=8
Foundation Address:
223 Fourth Avenue
1400 Benedum-Trees Building
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222412-288-0360
800-223-5948 (toll-free from West Virginia)
412-288-0366 (fax)Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
The Foundation assists organizations working in the areas of arts, basic human needs, community development, education and health. We serve Brooke, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler and Wetzel counties in West Virginia and Belmont, Guernsey and Monroe counties in Ohio.
Community Foundation For The Ohio Valley, Inc.
P.O. Box 670
Wheeling, WV 26003Phone: 304-242-3144
Fax: 304-234-4753
info@cfov.orgSusie Nelson
Executive Director
director@cfov.orgVictoria J. Smith
Administrative Assistant
vicki@cfov.orgCommunity Foundation of North Central West Virginia
The Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, through charitable giving and community support, will help to shape our region’s future and preserve its legacy. Our community foundation will improve the quality of life, drive the economic future and increase the philanthropic interest in the region. Areas of funding interest include the arts, civic engagement, education, conservation and preservation, health and human services.
http://www.ncwvfoundation.org/
The Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc.
High Technology Park
1000 Technology Park Drive, Suite 2230
Fairmont, WV 26554
304-694-2666Community Foundation of the Virginias
The Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. was formed by a merger of the Bluefield Area Foundation and the Greater Mercer County Charitable Foundation in June 2002. This joining together of talent, ideas, energy, and resources allowed the Foundation to more fully serve the residents of Mercer County, W. Va. and Tazewell County, Va. The Foundation of the Virginias awards discretionary and field-of-interest grants to charitable organizations for Education, The Arts, Culture and the Humanities, Health, Human Services, primarily in the Mercer County, WV and Tazewell County, VA areas.
You may contact the Community Foundation by mail:
Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc.
128 North Street
P.O. Box 4127
Bluefield, WV 24701Or, by phone or fax:
Phone: 304-324-0222
Fax: 304-324-7716Or by Email:
Lynn Forlines, Administrative Assistant: admin@cfvinc.org
James H. Shott, Executive Director: execdir@cfvinc.orgEastern West Virginia Community Foundation
The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation mission is to improve the quality of life in the Eastern Panhandle by building permanent endowment to benefit Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties. Areas of funding interest include: Safeguarding Habitat, Children and Nature, Waste and Recycling, Energy Conservation.
http://www.ewvcf.org/Home.html
Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation
229 East Martin Street, Suite 4 Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401
phone: (304) 264-0353 facsimile: (888) 507-8375
info@EWVCF.orgGreater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation
The mission of The Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation (TGGVCF) is to create a tradition of charitable giving and enhance the quality of life of the people of the Greenbrier Valley by accepting contributions, managing funds and making charitable distributions. Areas of funding interest include The areas of: art and culture, education, health, human services, land use, recreation or other charitable areas of interest. Geographical focus: Serving Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties in The Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia.
109 S. Jefferson Street (City National Bank Building)
P.O. Box 387
Lewisburg, West Virginia 24901
Phone and Fax: (304) 645-5620Managing Director: Courtney Smith
info@gvfoundation.orgRobert and Frances Chaney Family Foundation
The mission of the Robert and Frances Chaney Family Foundation is to reach out to organizations in specified communities to build a better future by granting funds for educational purposes, human services, charitable and faith-based groups, and other purposes focusing on benefiting children, families and public safety personnel who reside in Jackson & Josephine Counties, Oregon; Barry County, Missouri and Cabell County, West Virginia.
http://www.familyfoundationchaney.org/
Carrie Hanson, Executive Director
P.O. Box 840 | Jacksonville, OR 97530
Phone: 541-899-9199 | Fax: 541-899-9679
chanson.familyfoundation@gmail.comSisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund
The mission of the SSJCF is to promote healthy and sustainable communities by providing financial assistance, strengthening collaborative relationships, and supporting local initiatives. Funding interest: Community Grants Program – to provide funding for highly collaborative projects that promote health and wellness for the vulnerable and under-served in the SSJCF area, particularly children, families and the elderly; Health Ministry Initiative – designed to promote holistic health by encouraging and supporting the development of health ministries in faith-based congregations.
http://www.ssjcharitablefund.org/
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 4440
Parkersburg, WV 26104-4440Physical address:
4420 Rosemar Road — Rosemar Center; Suite 204
Parkersburg, WV 26104
