For Early Childhood Professionals
Grants and Financial Opportunities
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 your child care program is located for details and access to the application. 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 2019 to 2020. Call 651-366-6797 for this great opportunity or download the application and email it to GrantsRequest@thinksmall.org.
Applications will be available September 1, 2019. Check back to apply!
Child Care Services Grant Information Sessions 2019-2020
Find a date and location that works best for you!
Thursday, August 1, 2019
6:30 pm - 7:30pm
Think Small West (2021 E. Hennepin Ave, Suite LL20, Minneapolis)
Conference Room D (Somali, Hmong, Spanish interpreters available)
Saturday, August 3, 2019
10:30am - 11:30am
Prior Lake Library (16210 Eagle Creek Ave SE, Prior Lake, 55372)
Large Meeting Room
Monday, August 5, 2019
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Think Small East (10 Yorkton Ct, Little Canada, 55117)
Conference Room 203-204
NEW
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Lakeshore Learning Store Maplewood (1721 Beam Ave A, Maplewood, 55109)
Sales floor in the back
(Call 651-366-6797 to reserve a spot)
Saturday, August 10, 2019
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Plymouth Library (15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, 55443)
Large Meeting Room
Monday, August 12, 2019
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Anoka County Library Crooked Lake (11440 Crooked Lake Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, 55433)
Large Meeting Room
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Washington County Library (8595 Central Park Pl, #100, Woodbury, 55125)
Large Meeting Room
Monday, August 19, 2019
6:30 pm - 7:30pm
Think Small West (2021 E. Hennepin Ave, Suite LL20, Minneapolis)
Conference Room D
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Think Small East (10 Yorkton Ct, Little Canada, 55117)
Conference Room 203-204
NEW
Thursday, August 22, 2019
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Lakeshore Learning Store St. Louis Park (5699 W 16th St, St Louis Park, 55416)
Sales floor in the back
(Call 651-366-6797 to reserve a spot)
Saturday, August 24, 2019
10:30 - 11:30am
Robert Trail Library (14395 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, 55068)
Large Meeting Room
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.