NFF's Child Care Initiative is dedicated to providing capital, capacity-building services, and technical assistance to center-based, nonprofit child care providers and afterschool programs seeking to improve the quality of their programs and facilities. This initiative is an important tool in building a healthier, better-managed child care system and meeting the need for quality child care and afterschool programs. For more information, please contact Francine Stewart at (215) 546-9426 x1107 or francine.stewart@nffusa.org.

• What We Provide
• Who's Eligible
• Grant Guidelines
• What We Can't Fund
• How To Apply: Deadlines and Procedures

What We Provide

• Capital Grants: Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) awards capital grants to nonprofit organizations that are undertaking a facility project to improve the quality of their child care program. Grants range from $10,000 to $75,000 per facility and require a match from other sources.
• Planning Grants: NFF awards planning grants to nonprofit organizations to help them gain the critical information they need to move ahead with a facility project or new business idea. Grants range in size from $1,000 to $20,000 and require a match from other sources. Applicants should speak to NFF staff if they would like to apply for a planning grant.
• Loans: Child care providers can apply for facility and equipment related loans and working capital lines. Loan amounts range from $100,000 to $2,000,000. Loan and grant packages are a creative way of financing a project so that it can go forward in a timely manner. Applicants should speak to NFF staff if they would like to apply for a loan in addition to a grant.
• Technical Assistance: NFF staff and consultants are available to assist providers on a one-on-one basis with facilities project planning and project implementation.
• Training: NFF offers workshops in facilities project planning, accessing funding, and other topics relevant to the child care field. A training schedule is posted here. 

Eligibility
NFF will consider applications from child care and afterschool providers that meet the following requirements:

• Located in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties
• Have tax exempt, 501(c)(3) status for at least 3 years
• Offer full–day, year–round child care services and/or provide OST programs that serve working parents
• Have a valid Pennsylvania day care certification or are in the process of pursuing certification
• Own or have long-term lease on the child care facility
• Are committed to improving the quality of their services through pursuing certification or a quality accreditation
• For Philadelphia–based sites ONLY: Demonstrate that the program serves a minimum of 51% low–to–moderate income families according to HUD Section 8 Guidelines

Grant Request Guidelines

• Projects will help child care providers to achieve the following goals:
  • Achieve/maintain a state certification or municipal requirement
  • Achieve/maintain quality standards (Keystone STARS, NAEYC, NAA, etc.)
  • Expand program capacity

• Projects that will be considered for funding include but are not limited to the following:
  • Facility upgrades, e.g., fire escapes, ADA ramps, roof repair, stairway replacement, covering exposed pipes, new plumbing, bathroom expansions, entrance and egress improvements, room additions and expansions
  • Deferred maintenance, e.g., boiler repair, roof repair or replacement, carpet replacement, plumbing repair, window repair or replacement
  • Capital equipment, e.g., automatic fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, HVAC systems, commercial kitchen equipment
  • Playground construction, repair or upgrades, e.g. new equipment, safety surfacing, fencing
  • Expansion or new construction
  • Acquisition of property for child care purposes

• Grants will be used to support both hard and soft costs of capital expenses and are available at a maximum of 75% of the total project cost up to $75,000. Examples:
  • If your total project cost is $100,000, you can request $75,000
  • If your total project cost is $75,000, you can only request 75% of that amount, or $56,000

• A 25% match is required, and organizations must show that at least half of the matching sources supporting the project are secured at the time of application. Other sources include cash on hand, grants, loans, in-kind donations, etc.

• Applicants must submit copies of at least three proposals/estimates for the proposed project

Subsequent applications for a facility that already received a grant will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What We Can't Fund

• Program equipment and supplies such as cribs, mats, computers, books, etc.
• Emergency funding and reimbursement for past expenditures
• Programs located in public buildings (libraries, public schools, recreation centers, etc.)
• For-profit enterprises

Application Deadlines
Following are the deadlines for application submissions for 2012: 

• March 2, 2012
• June 1st, 2012

Complete applications are due to the NFF office by 5:00 p.m. on the due date; fax and electronic applications will not be accepted. NFF staff will consider each application on a case-by-case basis and may defer applicants if projects are not immediately ready for funding. NFF will work closely with organizations from the time of application to ensure successful completion of projects and service delivery. For more information, please contact Francine Stewart at (215) 546-9426 x1107 or francine.stewart@nffusa.org.

Philadelphia organizations: Download application 

Non-Philadelphia organizations: Download application

Please send applications to:
Nonprofit Finance Fund
1528 Walnut Street
Suite 310
Philadelphia, PA 19102