Small Grants for Small Children in New York

Small Grants for Small Children is a targeted funding initiative administered by the Adirondack Community Foundation, formerly known as the Adirondack Foundation. This program provides financial assistance to certified child care providers in the Adirondack region of New York, supporting their efforts to deliver high-quality early childhood care. The program aligns with the goals of the Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance, which advocates for ensuring that children from birth to age three are healthy, actively learning, and thriving in supportive family environments. The primary purpose of the Small Grants for Small Children fund is to help licensed child care centers and in-home family providers meet state requirements and enhance service quality. Grants typically range between $100 and $500 and may be used for various eligible purposes including compliance with licensing regulations, tuition support for families in financial need, staff professional development, and the acquisition of educational tools, equipment, or outdoor learning materials. The program explicitly excludes funding for containment equipment such as car seats, strollers, or playpens. The eligibility for this grant is limited to child care providers located within Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, and North Warren Counties, including the Akwesasne Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation, provided they serve children from birth through age three. It is acceptable for applicants to also serve older children, but services must include infants and toddlers to qualify. All applicants must be certified providers and in compliance with inspection standards set by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The grant application process is conducted through the Adirondack Community Foundation’s Online Grants Manager platform. Applicants must describe their funding needs, identify the intended beneficiaries, articulate the significance of the project, provide cost estimates, and submit a detailed budget breakdown. A photo release form is also required. In-home providers must follow specific instructions when creating an account, including indicating "N/A" for the Tax ID field and entering their last name along with their childcare name in the organization field. It's important for these applicants to ensure they select the correct fund—Small Grants for Small Children—during the application process. This funding opportunity is open on a rolling basis, meaning applications can be submitted at any time. Grant awards to in-home providers are distributed via one of three agencies based on the county: Adirondack Community Action Program (ACAP), the Childcare Coordinating Council of the North Country, or the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network. Applicants who receive funding are encouraged to promote their award through press and social media with available branding resources, and may later be contacted to complete a follow-up survey to report on grant impact. For questions or support during the application process, applicants can contact Leslee Mounger, Funds and Program Officer at the Adirondack Community Foundation, via phone at 518-523-9904 or email at leslee@adkcommunityfoundation.org. The Foundation's mailing address is PO Box 288, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

In-home providers should enter “N/A” in the Tax ID field and follow naming conventions; select correct grant from drop-down menu.