Infant & Toddler Care Applications Now Being Accepted
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation has announced that it is now accepting applications from eligible child care programs and centers for Infant & Toddler Care Grants. This funding is a part of the Community Foundation’s child care initiative to strengthen the learning and development of very young children, ages 0-3, and is supported by a $2.8-million-dollar grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Interested applicants can apply for two types of grants: Facilities Upgrades and Operating Support. The Facilities Upgrades application allows eligible child care programs to request up to $50,000 to convert or renovate existing spaces with the intention of adding additional child care capacity for ages 0-3, or to improve the quality of care by constructing playgrounds, adding bathrooms or sinks, or purchasing necessary equipment or furnishings, among other things. Eligible programs can also apply for Operating Support of up to $60,000 to be utilized over a three-year time frame. Operating Support funds must be used to add capacity to serve children ages 0-3.
“Access to child care continues to be an ongoing issue the Community Foundation and its partners seek to address,” said Alex Hall, vice president of programs at the Community Foundation. “With the support of Lilly Endowment Inc., we are excited to invest in our local child care programs to increase the capacity and quality of care for the families in our region.”
The application process will remain open on a rolling basis. Any nonprofit or school-based child care center or program in Kosciusko or Whitley Counties may apply. All requests must indicate how the proposed project or operating support will directly impact the care of children ages 0-3.
The full guidelines and requirements for the Infant & Toddler Care Grants can be viewed HERE.
Applicants should contact Hall at 574-267-1901 or e-mail alex@kcfoundation.org.