Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant
Contact Us
For questions about the application, eligibility, or your award contract:
Shannon Hall
Senior Program Director
Ph: (720) 899-3047
Em: shannon@ecclacolorado.org
For questions about payments:
Enola Garland
Associate Program Director
Ph: (720) 699-8283
Em: enola@ecclacolorado.org
Grant applications must be submitted through ECCLA’s online scholarship portal. Mailed, emailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
¿Necesita traducción? Comuníquese con Shannon Hall para programar una reunión.
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About the Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant
The Family Child Care Home (FCCH) Facilities Improvement Grant from the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) was created with generous funding from the Buell Foundation and the Daniels Fund to address the significant decline in family child care homes in Colorado. Funding from this grant can be used toward specific projects to start up a new program, address health, safety, and licensing issues in an existing program, or expand licensed capacity in an existing program.
Funding from this grant can be used toward specific projects to start up a new program, address health, safety, and licensing issues in an existing program, or expand licensed capacity in an existing program.
ECCLA awarded $300,000 to 81 family child care home programs throughout Colorado in 2024.
The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity grant provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations.
$5,000 is the maximum that this grant can award per program.
If the project exceeds $5,000, the applicant must explain how they will make up the difference. Applications that ask for more than $5,000 but do not have a written explanation for how the extra funds will be secured will not be awarded.
Eligibility Requirements
Who can apply?
- Program must be based in Colorado.
- Must not have previously received a FCCH Facilities Improvement Grant award from ECCLA. If you have applied before but were not awarded, we welcome you to apply. We also encourage you to reach out to Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org for feedback on your previous application before applying again.
- Must be a licensed home-based child care program or have applied for a home child care license.
- Must serve children from birth to 5 years old.
- Must attend one of the Mandatory Informational Webinars. Attendance is verified. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions but would still like to apply, please reach out to Enola Garland enola@ecclacolorado.org after September 30th for options. Delaying your participation in this mandatory process may impact the quality of your application.
What documentation is required?
- Applicants who rent their home/facility and request $2,500 must provide a letter of support from landlord authorizing changes to the property.
- Licensed programs must include a legible and current copy of their child care license. License should not expire before the close of the application cycle.
- If opening a new family child care program, applicant must submit documentation that shows that they have applied for a child care license and have been assigned a license number.
- At least 3 before photos of the specific area.
- At least two bids for projects requiring labor/installation. (Ex: If you are having a fence installed, you must submit at least two bids from different companies/contractors with quotes for installing the fence.)
- Photos and prices of each item (this includes equipment, major appliances, materials, supplies) that you wish to purchase. (Ex: If you can build a fence yourself but just need help purchasing the materials, you will need to include photos and prices of each material you wish to purchase – nails, fence posts, etc – on your budget table. Screenshots from the vendors website are ideal.)
How can the funds be used?
- Funding from this grant can be used toward specific projects to start up a new program, address health, safety, and licensing issues in an existing program, or expand licensed capacity in an existing program.
- Funds cannot be used for the retirement of debt, salaries, or consultants and cannot be used as a reimbursement. If you complete the project before being awarded the grant, grant funds cannot be used as a reimbursement for the project.
- Funds can only be spent on projects and purchases made after the applicant has been awarded. Award offers may be rescinded if ECCLA believes that the projects were completed or purchases were made before the applicant was notified.
- Funds can only be spent on projects or purchases made for the address on the submitted license and application.
- Funds must be spent in direct alignment with the project narrative and budget on the application.
What are the funding priorities?
The funding priorities for the Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant include:
- Statewide geographic distribution
- Addressing unmet service gaps, and
- Increasing capacity and access to family child care home programs.
Priority will be given to applicants that serve vulnerable families and children.
Am I guaranteed to receive funding if I apply?
No, it is not guaranteed that your application will be chosen to receive funding through the FCCHI Grant. Each year, there is a limited amount of funding available and we receive hundreds of applications from family child care businesses across the state. This is a competitive grant program, which is why it’s important to clearly demonstrate the need for your project—whether it addresses a health, safety, or licensing issue, expands your licensing capacity, or supports the start-up of a licensed family child care home. However, please note that projects are not selected or scored based on writing ability, but rather on the strength and clarity of the project’s purpose and alignment with program priorities.
What happens if I am awarded?
- Awardees will be notified via email 8-10 weeks after the close of the application. Once documentation has been submitted and processed, and awardees have set up their account on the BILL.com platform, funding will be delivered via electronic direct deposit.
- Awardees must spend the funding in direct alignment with the project narrative and budget on their application.
- Awardees must agree to submit a six-month progress report and a 12-month completion report that includes ‘after’ photos of the funded project
- If you are not awarded, we invite you to reach out to Shannon Hall for feedback on your application.
How To Apply for a Grant
Applying for the FCCH grant is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:
Before you apply
- Ensure that you are eligible. This means that you are a licensed family child care home business owner, or that you are in the pre-licensing stage and have already applied for a license. If you are licensed you must have either a current license that does not expire before the close of the grant application window. If you are in pre-licensing you must have documentation such as your license application confirmation email or an email from your licensing specialist with your assigned license number on it.
- Take 3 before photos of the child care space that you want to repair, improve, or expand.
- If you are asking for equipment or materials to complete your project, collect photos and prices of every item that you wish to purchase. If you are requesting funding for service or work to be done (e.g. a contractor to build a fence that meets licensing requirements), you must collect at least 2 bids. If you plan to do the work yourself, please note that in your budget description.
Fill out your application
- Go to awards.ecclacolorado.org and click “Register.”
- Under “MY PROGRAMS,” click on the dropdown menu and select “Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant.” Click “Create.”
- Fill out the application completely. You will see a green checkmark next to each complete section.
- Tip: Ensure your budget table is COMPLETE and accounts for every item that you want to purchase. Additionally, ensure that your budget table matches your project narrative/request.
- When you are done, click on “Submit as FINAL.” Your application is not submitted and will not be processed until you complete that step!
Seek support
If you need assistance navigating the awards portal or completing your application, we’re here to help! Please reach out to the ECCLA team if you have questions about the application.
Explore the Frequently Asked Questions and the videos we have provided.
APPLY NOW
Application Support and Resources
Do you still have questions about the Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant? Please take a moment to review the resources provided below. The pre-recorded informational webinars have step-by-step video instructions on how to apply while the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below answers some of the commonly asked we get from applicants.
Info webinar recording from 2025 will be uploaded soon. If you missed the live mandatory session but still want to apply, please reach out directly to Enola Garland enola@ecclacolorado.org for instructions.
Am I guaranteed to receive funding if I apply?
No, it is not guaranteed that your application will be chosen to receive funding through the FCCHI Grant. Each year, there is a limited amount of funding available and we receive hundreds of applications from family child care businesses across the state. This is a competitive grant program, which is why it’s important to clearly demonstrate the need for your project—whether it addresses a health, safety, or licensing issue, expands your licensing capacity, or supports the start-up of a licensed family child care home. However, please note that projects are not selected or scored based on writing ability, but rather on the strength and clarity of the project’s purpose and alignment with program priorities.
Can funds be used towards reimbursement of a completed project?
Applications for funding requests must be for projects that have not been completed yet. Work cannot begin on the project until the awardee has received their award letter.
If you have started a project, but do not have the funds to complete it you may be eligible.
Can I apply for funding if my business is center-based and not a family child care home?
The Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Initiative Grant is intended by our funder to support only family child care homes.
Can I apply for funding to support revenue loss?
This grant does not support revenue loss.
Can I apply if I don't have a specific project in mind?
No, the applicant must have a specific project that they are requesting funding for. Applicants must provide bids for services or photos and descriptions of equipment and materials they wish to purchase.
Can I start my project now and get reimbursed by the grant later if I'm awarded?
No, the grant cannot fund work that’s already completed. If you begin work before receiving an official award notification:
- Your award may be rescinded if selected since your project would no longer be eligible
- You risk completing work without guaranteed funding
We strongly recommend waiting for award notifications before starting any projects. Since funding isn’t guaranteed, this protects you from unexpected costs.
Does my family child care home need to be licensed to apply for funding?
ECCLA will grant funds to existing licensed family child care programs or new family child care programs that are in the process of getting licensed. If opening a new family child care home, the program must be in the pre-licensing stage or have completed pre-licensing.
This includes working with a licensing representative and having a license number.
How long do I have to complete my project?
You will have 12-months after the date of award to complete your project.
How long does it take to get a decision about my application?
It can take 6-8 weeks from the closing of the application for applicants to be notified of the decision.
How many grant rounds will there be?
This always depends on funding. At this time, there will be two rounds annually – one in spring and one in fall.
How will I be notified if I was or was not awarded?
You will be notified via email about the status of your application.
I am struggling with the application website. Who do I contact?
The following are a few tips that may help:
- Make sure you use a computer. You cannot apply from a phone or tablet.
- Use Google Chrome as you website browser
- If it tells you wrong password, enter info and try again.
- Refresh Browser
- Clear Cache
If you are still experiencing trouble, please email Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org.
I am not sure if I have received this grant before. How can I check?
We recommend viewing the Previous Recipients list and looking for the name of your program.
I'm planning to move soon—can I still apply for the grant?
Unfortunately, no. Grants are awarded to programs based on their current licensed facility address. If you move:
- Your program would need to be re-licensed at the new location
- The grant cannot be transferred between addresses
We invite you to apply once you’re settled in your new home and have obtained your new license.
I need more than $5,000 to complete my project. Can I just ask for more?
The maximum award for the FCCHI Grant is $5,000 and applicants can only ask for $5,000. If your project will cost more than $5,000, you are welcome to apply for the $5,000 award, but you must explain how you will make up the difference. This can look like taking out a loan, using other grant funding that has been secured or using this grant as leverage to apply for another grant, or using savings. It is critical that you clearly indicate this in your grant application.
Applications that ask for more than $5,000 and do not have an explanation for where funding for the remaining balance will come from will not be awarded.
I previously applied but was not selected to receive funding. Can I apply again?
If an application was not selected, a family child care home may resubmit during another funding round. It is advised to speak with Shannon Hall, Senior Program Director prior to resubmission. You can contact Shannon at shannon@ecclacolorado.org.
I previously applied and was selected to receive funding. Can I apply again?
We are not accepting applications from previous awardees at this time. Only first-time awardees will be considered.
I started a project but I did not have enough funding to finish. Can I apply for funding to finish my project?
Yes, you may apply. It is important that you clearly explain:
- That your project is NOT complete (If your application is not clear, the reviewer may interpret your application to say that you are asking for reimbursement for completed work)
- What was already completed and what still needs to be finished
- How your project aligns with the grant guidelines and priorities
- How much funding is needed to complete your project and a timeline for completion if awarded
Be sure to include at least two bids for services, or three photos of equipment or materials that you want to buy.
I am requesting funding for a project that requires labor (fence, flooring, concrete, etc), but I can do the work myself or someone has volunteered to do it for free. Do I still need to submit bids?
No, you do not need to submit 2 bids if you plan to do the work yourself. You must:
- Clearly indicate on your application that you will do the work yourself.
- Still include photos or bids of the items you need to buy (i.e. If you are building a fence, be sure the budget accounts for all of the materials you will need to build that fence)
To ensure that the grant funding truly meets your needs, we recommend that you work with individuals, professional contractors, or companies that are qualified to perform that work. ECCLA is not responsible for the quality of any materials, services, or workmanship involved in completing the project.
What can the funds be used for?
Funding can be used for:
- Home improvements related to licensing, health and safety issues, and to expand the program for increased capacity
- Opening a new program
- Startup costs
- Equipment
- Shade and playground improvements
- Flooring
- HVAC/Heating
- Appliances
- Other issues related to health, safety, licensing, etc.
This grant’s intent is to help family child care home providers maintain, increase, and/or open new programs to help with the declining number of providers across our state.
What documents are required to be submitted with my application?
The following documents are required to be submitted with your application:
- A copy of the current and legible license issued by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood unless you are in the pre-licensing process in which case you will need to submit documentation that shows you have applied for a license.
- At least three ‘before’ photos documenting the project before the work has started.
- If you rent your space, please include a letter of support from your landlord if you are requesting $2,500 or more.
- At least two project bids (this can be two bids for the same project to show all considerations made due to cost or other factors). If your project does not require a bid, please include pictures/information on what you are wishing to purchase.
What is considered as "pre-licensing paperwork"?
Pre-licensing paperwork is any documentation you have regarding becoming a licensed home provider. This can include, but is not limited, to the following:
• The email received from the state when you submit your application
• An email from your licensing specialist
• An email or letter confirming you have applied and have been given a license number
When submitting any document, please be sure it includes your assigned license number OR be sure to include your license number in the requested field.
If you are unsure if you have the needed documentation, please contact Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org.
What is not covered by this grant?
Funding will not cover the following:
- COVID-related expenses
- Salaries
- Consultants or planners
- Reimbursements of projects/equipment purchased previously
- Technology
- Equipment and items that are not age appropriate for children birth to 5 years of age
- Any part of the home that is not used for children or your program
- Vehicles
- Insurance
What is the application process?
Please submit your application through our online form by the grant deadline. Applicants received will be confirmed upon receipt from RQ Awards. Applications received by mail, email, or fax will not be accepted. ECCLA cannot be held responsible for any technical issues.
Tip: We encourage you to submit your application when it opens and to avoid waiting until the deadline.
ECCLA will assemble a committee to review all applications and make funding decisions. Awarded family child care homes will be notified and funding will be provided to assist with their program. The family child care home must submit a final report and documentation after the projects have been completed with their program. To get to the online applications, please visit awards.ecclacolorado.org and crate an account.
If an application was not selected, a family child care home may resubmit during another funding round. It is advised to speak with Shannon Hall, shannon@ecclacolorado.org, Senior Program Director, prior to resubmission.
Who can I speak with if I have questions about the application process or my grant?
Please contact Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org.
Funding Partners
The Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant is generously funded by the Buell Foundation and the Daniels Fund.
Community Impact
Since the inception of the Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant Initiative, ECCLA has awarded $927,000 across 37 counties in Colorado. These funds have been used for facilities improvements focused on expanding licensed capacity, health, safety, and quality improvement.
Previous Recipients
- In 2024, ECCLA awarded $300,00 to 81 licensed family child care homes across Colorado.
- In 2023, ECCLA awarded $432,822 to 101 licensed family child care homes across Colorado.
- In 2022, ECCLA awarded $300,000 to 66 family child care homes across Colorado.
- In 2021, ECCLA awarded $240,000 to 60 family child care homes across Colorado.
- In 2020, ECCLA awarded $160,000 in grants to 45 family child care homes across Colorado.
“Thank you for helping me breathe life into this home that plans to nurture children for many more years. The biggest barrier for me in the operation of my business for the last 30 years has always been trying to bridge the gap between ‘what parents can afford to pay’ and ‘what I need to charge to remain in business.’ Unfortunately, what is left for wages after providing quality care for the children (food, activities, and supplies/equipment, utilities), simply does not allow enough cash flow for major building upkeep. Your grant helped me with some much-needed repairs and replacements to this dedicated play area.”
Gloria Bergner
Family Child Care Home Business Owner
Phillips County, CO
