HoCo Rise Child Care Provider Grant

The Howard County government, in collaboration with the Howard County Economic Development Authority, has established a new grant program to enhance financial capital access for licensed childcare providers. The initiative aims to help address financial barriers faced by both center-based and family childcare providers, enabling them to explore opportunities for development and expansion. This grant program is designed to support a wide range of childcare providers, with particular attention given to addressing unmet childcare needs within the community. These include services for children with disabilities and families working nontraditional hours—two areas often underserved in the broader childcare market. Through this funding opportunity, the county seeks to promote inclusive, flexible childcare solutions that better align with evolving community demands. Eligible expenses under this program include inventory and equipment purchases, costs related to facility improvements or renovations, and expenses for build-outs and expansions. However, funding may not be used to cover standard operating costs such as wages, benefits, or other routine personnel-related expenses. This limitation ensures that the grant supports long-term capital improvements rather than short-term operating budgets. The application process is straightforward and open to all eligible childcare providers currently operating in Howard County. Interested applicants must submit their completed applications before the closing deadline of February 14th at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. No pre-application steps or concept papers are required for submission. Questions about the grant should be directed to Angie Crozier at [email protected] or via phone at (410) 313-6500. Although no performance period or award notification dates are specified, applicants are encouraged to submit well in advance of the deadline to allow for processing and potential follow-up. There is no stated recurrence, so interested applicants should treat this opportunity as a one-time grant unless otherwise announced.