- Women’s Business Development Council taking applications for grant program to support Connecticut child care providers
- Grants of up to $25,000 available
- Funding to support startups and expansions, address financial emergencies, help providers pursue long-term goals and better business practices
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
The Women’s Business Development Council is taking applications for a grant program designed to help Connecticut child care providers get started or expand.
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund is offering grants of up to $25,000. The fund includes four separate programs designed to help child care providers to get started, expand, address financial emergencies, and pursue long-term goals or improve healthy business practices.
The program is open to applications and will accept them through Nov. 21. This is a competitive program and WBDC may not be able to fund all requests, but a second funding round is anticipated for February 2022.
- Startup grants of up to $5,000 are available to assist aspiring or newly licensed child care providers with covering startup expenses
- Expansion grants of up to $25,000 are available to licensed providers who have been in operation for at least two years and have enrolled children; the grant can be used to help the provider increase available slots or enhance enrollment in a new age group
- Emergency grants of up to $25,000 are available to licensed providers who have been in operation for at least six months and have enrolled children; these funds can help address severe revenue shortages or provide assistance to help cover emergency projects and operating expenses
- Starting on Friday, WBDC will begin offering incremental grants and incentives of up to $10,000 to licensed providers who engage in long-term business development and adopt healthy business practices
