Early Childcare and Education Grant Program

The Town of Pagosa Springs is offering a funding opportunity aimed at supporting and expanding early childcare and education (ECE) services within the local community. This initiative is backed by a $88,000 allocation from the Town Council’s General Fund and is designed to enhance access to quality daycare and early learning for families, particularly those within the town's workforce and underserved populations. The funding is available to eligible organizations operating daycare centers, in-home daycare services, or other early childhood education-related programs within the community. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to increase the availability and sustainability of ECE services in Pagosa Springs. Applications will be evaluated based on several priorities: the expansion or addition of new ECE slots, the retention of existing childcare capacity, and demonstrated sustainability of services, particularly in staff recruitment and retention. Other priority areas include support for organizations that assist local workforce families, demonstrate self-sufficiency in their funding models, and improve accessibility to ECE services for lower-income and underserved segments of the population. The program is open to nonprofit and for-profit organizations that provide ECE services within the geographic bounds of Pagosa Springs. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application, including their organizational mission, operational overview, funding purpose, geographic scope of service, previous funding use (if applicable), and plans for aligning with the Town Council's funding criteria. In-kind support requests such as fee waivers or land use may also be included in the application, alongside the cash funding request. Applications must be submitted by email to April Hessman, the Town Clerk and Finance Director, by March 6, 2026. Incomplete applications or those lacking required supporting documentation will not be considered. Supporting materials include a written narrative responding to seven specific questions related to service scope, demographics, financial sustainability, past use of municipal funding, and outreach efforts to underserved populations. Responses must be kept within a three-page limit. Selected applicants may be invited to present their proposals to the Town Council during its meeting on March 17, 2026. Presentations are expected to be no longer than ten minutes, and applicants should be prepared to respond to questions from council members. This live review process provides applicants with a chance to further advocate for their initiatives and clarify any points in their proposals. Interested organizations should ensure they meet the eligibility requirements and demonstrate clear alignment with the program’s goals and evaluation priorities to maximize their chances of receiving support.