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Grants and Financial Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Due to limited funding, we are no longer accepting applications. – The Regional Emergency Grant is to assist child care programs to ensure that they can safely stay in business and to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Request up to $1000 for family child care and $2500 for child care centers and school-age programs. This grant is first come, first serve and paid on a reimbursement basis. Costs incurred since March 13, 2020, will be accepted. Receipts must be submitted with the application. Question, please contact your Grant Administrator, Charlene Nhotsavang at grantsrequest@thinksmall.org or call 651-366-6797.

(Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka, Scott, Carver, Washington only. Other counties not listed, click www.childcareawaremn.org/contact-us/ to find your local agency to apply)

These grants are used to cover:
  • rent/mortgage
  • utility bills
  • food for program
  • insurance
  • licenses
  • taxes
  • PPE (masks, gloves, etc.)
  • cleaning supplies /sanitizers, and anything that would help prevent the spread of the virus.
Regional Emergency Grant-COVID 19: Important Dates:
Applications open – June 9th
Applications close – June 15th at 5:00pm
Awards announced via email – June 19th
Reimbursement Deadline – June 30th

The 2019-2020 Regional Child Services Grant provides FREE money to help cover the cost of supplies, equipment, technology, and training. Grant funds are offered annually and are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified child care programs in the seven county metro area. The application guide serves as an FAQ and has details on how to apply. Click on the county where your child care program is located for details and to access the application.

Applications will be available September 1, 2020

Regional Grant Advisory Committee

We NEED your help! A few hours of your time equals better care and education for children in your neighborhood. We are currently accepting applications for 2020 to 2022. Call 651-366-6797 for this great opportunity. Click here to complete the Committee Interest Form and email it to GrantsRequest@thinksmall.org.

Emergency Grants are available to assist licensed child care providers/programs and legally exempt school-based school-age care programs experiencing an emergency. An emergency includes occurrences that disrupt a provider/program’s immediate ability to provide care for the children enrolled in their program, or occurrences that jeopardize the health and safety of the children in the program.

Click here to download the Emergency Grant Application Guide.

Click here to download the Emergency Grant Application.

Please call the Grant Line at 651-366-6797 or send a request to GrantsRequest@thinksmall.org for availability of Emergency Grant Funds.
The Start Up Grant is a non-competitive grant available for child care programs that intend to become licensed or have been licensed for six months or less, which are contingent on your program becoming licensed. These funds are available to assist with the costs associated with start-up for newly licensed child care programs and are limited to items and services required by licensing or the Fire Marshall.

The evaluation of the Start-up Grant Application and the Start-up award determination is the amount of funding requested and the appropriateness of the items requested in reference to Minnesota Licensing Rule regarding the need for the items along with any Licensor’s/Fire Marshall’s orders and verification of the items requested.

Click here to download the Start-up Grant Application Guide.

Click here to download the Start-up Grant Application.

A letter will be mailed out with the status of your application.

Families may apply for Early Learning Scholarships. Scholarships can help pay for high-quality childcare and early education to help children get ready for kindergarten. Early Learning Programs must participate in Parent Aware to serve scholarship children.

Think Small accepts applications for families living in Ramsey and Hennepin County.

Click here for the application and more details.

Please contact Think Small at 651-641-6604 or scholarships@thinksmall.org if you have questions about helping families fill out the application.