Grant Application

CMCA GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES & INSTRUCTIONS

FOR 1ST TIME AWARDS OR NEW / EXPANDING PROGRAMS

ELIGIBILITY:

Grant funding and technical assistance are available to new and existing childcare providers located in Fergus, Judith Basin, or Petroleum Counties. Programs must be licensed or in the process of getting licensed with the State of MT by June 30, 2024.

PURPOSE OF FUNDS:

Funding may be used to improve the quality of programming and increase the licensed capacity of childcare availability in Central Montana. The primary goal of this funding is to increase access for underserved populations and to open new, or expand existing services for infants, toddlers, and children ages 0-5 from vulnerable populations.

PRIORITY:

Priority will be given to projects that include

*offering of non-traditional care (hours of operation between 6 pm to 6 am or weekend hours)

*newly licensed programs

*participation and rating increase in the MT Stars to Quality program

*those offering childcare in “childcare deserts” - areas where services are not currently available or very limited. Fergus and Petroleum counties are considered a childcare desert for children under 6, as capacity meets less than 1/3 of the demand. Petroleum County is also a childcare desert for infants/children under 2.

HOW TO APPLY:

The grant application form is on our website at www.mtchildcarealliance.org. Funding requests are reviewed monthly. Applications received by the end of the month will be considered at the following month’s board meeting. An in-person interview may be scheduled with the CMCA Director to review your proposal, tour your location, and discuss your project. The CMCA Director will provide a recommendation to the CMCA Board of Directors for a final decision of funding approval and award amount.

AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE:

CMCA will consider requests for any amount; however, most awards will be under $10,000. Funding must be spent within 6 months, training requirements must be fulfilled, and all projects completed in their entirety by June 30, 2024.

As part of the application, new providers will need to provide a 6-month financial projection as an attachment to the application. Please email it to mtchildcarealliance@gmail.com.

RESTRICTIONS:

Please note that only minor building improvements can be made. If requesting funds in this category, please contact CMCA to discuss funding limitations and how that may affect your proposed project.

Funding may not be used to pay for food and/or personnel expenses.

INFORMATION:

After reviewing the application, if you have any questions or need assistance filling out the form, please contact Jennifer Pfau, CMCA Director, at mtchildcarealliance@gmail.com or 406-366-4777.

PO Box 947 ▪ Lewistown, MT 59457

406-366-4777 ▪ www.mtchildcarealliance.org

Supplemental Grant Documents