Early Childhood Grant Fund

The Early Childhood Grant Fund is administered by the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing community wellbeing in Red Lodge, Montana. The Foundation supports a variety of initiatives aimed at improving quality of life in the area, with a particular emphasis on access to education, family support, and volunteerism. The Early Childhood Grant Fund was established in collaboration with the Carbon County Early Childhood Coalition to address the critical need for affordable, high-quality childcare in the region. The primary objective of the Early Childhood Grant Fund is to support the developmental, educational, and social wellbeing of young children from birth through age eight. The program aims to ensure children have access to quality childcare environments that foster social and emotional growth, enabling smoother transitions into formal schooling. The grant provides direct tuition support to families who might not otherwise be able to afford early childhood programs. Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are structured to offer monthly subsidies for a six-month period. Families can receive either $200 per month if their child is not currently receiving any other tuition scholarship or $100 per month if their child is already receiving scholarship assistance. The funding is restricted to use for childcare tuition payments only, reinforcing the focus on supporting early educational access and affordability. Eligibility for this grant is limited to families in Carbon County, Montana, who require financial support to access early childhood education programs. Applications are accepted and reviewed by the Early Childhood Fund Committee, which maintains a commitment to a 72-hour response window for incoming requests. There are no stated requirements for matching funds or cost sharing. To apply, families must submit a funding request through the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation. There is no detailed public description of the required application materials or evaluation criteria beyond the urgency-based review timeline. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of timely submission due to limited funding availability and the first-come basis for distribution. There is no formal deadline stated for applications, suggesting that funds are awarded on a rolling basis until depleted. The fund is intended to recur and replenish regularly to meet ongoing community needs. The Foundation encourages families in need of support to reach out promptly. For more information or assistance, applicants can contact the Foundation at (406) 446-2820 or visit their office at 122 Hauser Avenue South, Red Lodge, MT.