2024 Childcare Center Capital Grant Program

The City of Spokane's Accounting and Grants Department is offering a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to support childcare organizations. This grant program aims to expand services for nontraditional childcare hours within the City of Spokane. The primary mission of this initiative is to address the unmet need for expanded childcare services, particularly for those working outside of traditional hours, and to support the community by fostering accessible childcare options. The target beneficiaries of this grant are childcare organizations, both public/private non-profits and private for-profits, that are located and registered within the City of Spokane. The impact goal is to provide "last-in capital dollars" to facilitate construction projects or the expansion of existing facilities. This expansion must specifically lead to increased services for nontraditional childcare hours, benefiting families and children who require care during evenings, weekends, or other non-standard times. The program prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a clear need for capital projects to expand services, can show an unmet need among their target clientele, and have a proven history of serving historically marginalized communities. Fiscal responsibility, evidenced through robust policies and procedures, is also a key focus. The grant seeks to ensure that funding is directed towards organizations that are not only capable of expanding services but also operate with sound financial management. The expected outcome is the successful completion of construction or expansion projects that directly result in increased availability of nontraditional childcare hours within Spokane. Measurable results will be tied to the number of new or expanded childcare slots created and the subsequent increase in access to childcare for families requiring nontraditional hours. The City of Spokane's strategic priority through this grant is to enhance community well-being by improving access to essential childcare services, thereby supporting working families and contributing to the economic stability and growth of the city. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted capital funding, the city can stimulate the expansion of crucial childcare infrastructure, directly addressing a critical community need and fostering greater equity in access to care. Funds must be contracted before December 31, 2024, with program completion by September 30, 2026. The grant offers up to $500,000 per project, serving as "last dollars" to help finalize construction efforts. Applicants are also required to follow the City of Spokane Procurement guidelines.