Funding Opportunities - Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Council

Available Funding Opportunities

The Council has put together a spreadsheet to capture as many potential grant opportunities as possible in one place. We certainly aren’t aware of every potential grant, so if you find others that we should consider adding, please send them to Stacy at [email protected]. Local organizations who have funding for providers are welcome to add your programs to our list!

Providers should make sure you check into any potential grant funding to make sure your program is eligible and can meet requirements. Reach out to the contact listed for any grant you are interested in.

Name of Grant

Time Frame

Description

Additional Comments

Grant/Funding Contact

Boettcher Foundation Rural Catalyst Grants

There are two funding Cycles. Visit the website for more details.

Grants Overview- These capacity building grant range from $1,000-10,000 and are distributed to support the following types of projects: Strategic Planning, Convening, Short-term staffing or contractors, and One-time operating costs. Please review the website to find out more information and to apply.

https://boettcherfoundation.org/grantmaking/rural-catalyst-grants/

Buell Foundation

Check the website for grant opportunities and deadlines.

Our funding priority at this time is on programs that support the education and development of children zero to five. In the last fiscal year, over 90% of grants paid were in that category. In addition, please note that it is also a priority for the Foundation to fund programs in rural Colorado. In recent years, over 65% of grants were awarded to programs serving communities outside of the Denver metro area.

Grants will be given only to organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or government entities. Applicants must be categorized “not a private foundation” under section 509(a) of the Code. Grants are most often awarded within the $10,000 to $50,000 range.

Guidelines & Application – Buell Foundation

Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)

Annual renewable contracts

Quality child care helps set up young children for lifelong success. But paying for quality child care is a challenge for many Colorado families. The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps families afford quality child care. CCCAP significantly reduces the amount families have to pay for their child’s care. CCCAP supports parents who are working, looking for work, or attending school.

For CCAP County contacts: https://rmecc.org/otherregionalpartners/

Colorado Health Foundation

Applications due: February 15th, June 15th, October 15

The Colorado Health Foundation accepts applications for our their “Rolling Funding” are on a rolling basis. There is no deadline associated with rolling funding. They accept applications for “Funding Opportunites” three times a year: Feb 15, June 15 and Oct 15. All applications for “Funding Opportunites” and Rolling Funding” must meet detailed criteria.

Grantmaking | The Colorado Health Foundation

Colorado Promise Two Free Years of College Expanded

Program runs through the Summer of 2032

Beginning in Fall 2024, students who attend public institutions and have family income of $90,000 or less are eligible for a complete reimbursement of any out-of-pocket tuition and fees paid for their education. The program expands on individual institutional programs and extends financial support to middle-income Colorado residents.

Colorado Shines Minor Improvement (CSMI)

Applications open in July/August but require an approved Colorado Shines MOU (TSQI).

A capital improvement is the addition of a permanent structural change or the restoration of some aspect of a property that will either enhance the propertys overall value, increase its useful likfe or adapt it to new uses.

Due to funding decreases, this grant is currently funding approximately 25 applications across the state. For more information and to see if funding is available, contact Kristin.

Kristin Sparkman Quality Initiatives Coordinator 719-293-2378 To schedule time on my calendar: https://calendly.com/ksparkman-_sk/zoom-meeting

Colorado Shines Quality Improvement (CSQI)

Applications re-open in July 2024; we anticipate this funding to go quickly, so don’t wait!

CSQI helps with coaching, Professional Development Expenses, and Quality Improvement (QI) Materials. Funding is based on the size of the program (# of classrooms) and funding is split between coaching and quality improvement/professional development

Once all funding has been allocated, providers will be added to a waitlist in case additional funding is secured.

Kristin Sparkman Quality Initiatives Coordinator [email protected] 719-293-2378

CMC Foundation

Generally, students who want to attend classes at the beginning of a school year, need to apply for grants and financial assistance in January-March of that year for the best chance of receiving grants. Allow yourself time to be able to maximize the funding you can potentially receive.

Colorado Mountain College has 11 campuses in the mountain region including 3 residential campuses. Classes are offered through a variety of modalities including online, virtual and hybrid.

CMC Student Services

Information about tuition, financial aid and scholarships

Eagle County Early Childhood Initiatives

Go to the website for additional details regarding deadlines, funding amounts, etc.

Supporting Early Childhood Systems in Eagle County To support early childhood providers and help create an environment in which we can collectively expand our capacity to meet the growing need, Eagle County Department of Human Services will continue investing in the early childhood system.

CMC Student Services

Samantha Markovitz, Early Childhood Systems Coordinator Phone: 970-401-0722 [email protected]

Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship

Available year-round

In partnership with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is offering a scholarship opportunity for early childhood professionals seeking an Early Childhood Coaching Credential. Applicants may choose between several CDEC-approved coaching programs.

CMC Student Services

Stephanie Martin, Program Director [email protected] 720-741-2896

Lake County Early Care & Education Fund (LCECE)

Applications closed February 29th, 2024. The next application will open in early 2025

Funding available for Lake County providers through generous donations from Freeport McMoRan, Lake County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Leadville. Funding categories are general operating, recruitment and retention and quality improvement. More information will be available soon!

CMC Student Services

Stacy Petty, RMECC Director [email protected] 719-486-7273 To schedule time on my calendar: https://meetings.hubspot.com/rmecc

Lena Grow

Available year-round through the RMECC

LENA Grow delivers a single, straightforward, evidence-based solution to boosting children’s language, literacy, and social-emotional development while improving both teacher satisfaction and classroom quality.

The Council has funding to support program implementation and coaching costs.

If you are interested in implementing Lena Grow at your program, talk with your QI coach or Kristin Sparkman

Kristin Sparkman, Quality Initiatives Coordinator [email protected] 719-293-2378 or your coach!

Office of Economic Development and International Trade

Rolling basis through May 2032

The Colorado Startup Loan Fund provides loan capital to mission-based lenders to provide loans to Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners needing capital to start, restart, or restructure a business, and those who are not able to obtain a loan from traditional lenders. This is a revolving loan fund, meaning the dollars will be used to continue supporting new entrepreneurs as loans are repaid.

https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-startup-loan-fund

Pitkin County Staff Support Stipend Program

Quarterly 2024 and 2025

Pitkin County provides quarterly stipends to any teacher working full or part time for a licensed provider located in Pitkin County. Full time staff receive $1500 per quarter and part time are eligible for $1,000 per quarter. These funds are time limited and this is not an ongoing program.

Pitkin County teachers only.

Ashley Perl Community Resiliency Manager [email protected]

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation

Each fund has a separate, annual cycle; for details, see the current Timeline and Calendar here!

RMHF awards grants to Western Slope organizations offering programs and services that improve conditions for underserved, vulnerable or marginalized people, and are aligned with the purpose of one of our funds described below.

This grant is aimed more to the partnership level organizations who serve communities vs. early childhood providers specifically

Tax Credits – *NEW*

Tax time each year

For information about available federal, state and student tax credits, this is your one-stop resource! Also check out the Tax Credit Calculator to see what you could be eligible for!

This grant is aimed more to the partnership level organizations who serve communities vs. early childhood providers specifically

https://www.getaheadcolorado.org/gethelp

T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood Colorado Scholarship

See website for additional details about timeline

T.E.A.C.H offers early childhood education program directors and teachers a pathway to pursue higher education. Eligible participants are employed in a licensed childcare setting, meet the income guidelines, and are interested in obtaining an undergraduate degree or credential in early childhood education. Apply HERE

There is currently a waitlist. Applications are being prioritized for students who work in licensed centers and homes. You are encouraged to apply since the waitlist is updated often and applications are being funded each semester.

Shannon Hall, Director, Workforce Supports, (720)899-3047, [email protected]

Universal Preschool (UPK)

Applications open for 24-25 school year in January of 2024

Universal Preschool (UPK) provides 10-15 hours of preschool tuition credit for ALL children the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. Children must be 4-years-old on or before the kindergarten cutoff date of your local school district.
(All children are eligible for this tuition credit regardless of qualifying factors).

LCO Region: Pitkin, Garfield, W. Eagle, Lake counties Cindy Rivas, UPK Coordinator [email protected], 970-404-9896. Habla español