Child Care Grants

Child care grants fund early childhood programs, preschool, Head Start and Early Head Start, family child care, and child development initiatives. The Child Care and Development Block Grant provides the largest federal funding stream, with additional support from the Department of Education, USDA, and early childhood-focused foundations.

487 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY · Rolling / Open Foundation

DLS Caregiver and Access Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Physical Society (APS) Amount: Up to US $1,000 Last Updated: December 29, 2025 Summary The DLS Caregiver and Access Grants, offered by…

Up to US $25,000
ARTHUR JR DOBLES & OLIVE G DOBLES CRUT · Rolling / Open Foundation

Dobles Foundation Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Arthur J R Dobles And Olive G Dobles Charitable Remainder Amount: Up to US $25,000 Last Updated: August 25, 2025 Summary The Dobles Foundation Grant…

Montana State University · Rolling / Open Foundation

Donna Helterline Petouhoff Memorial Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Montana State University Last Updated: December 19, 2025 Summary The Donna Helterline Petouhoff Memorial scholarship at Montana State…

OSHKOSH AREA UNITED WAY INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Grant Funder: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and First Children's Finance Award Details: $75,000 grant received by Oshkosh Area United Way…

WASHINGTON AREA WOMEN'S FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Early Care & Education Funders Collaborative Status: Active, ongoing program Geographic Scope: Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region Focus Areas: - Early care and education system…

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA INITIATIVE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Care and Education Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Amount: Up to US $20,000 Last Updated: September 23, 2025 Summary The Early Care and Education…

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA INITIATIVE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Care and Education Grants Funder: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Contact: Margaret Radel Phone: (507) 214-7017 Email: inquiry@smifoundation.org Address: 525 Florence Ave, PO Box 695,…

KENNETH RAININ FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview About The Kenneth Rainin Foundation Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education, and Health. We believe in taking smart…

NEBRASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD · September 16, 2026 · Annual Foundation

Early Childhood Champion Awards Funder: Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) in partnership with the We Care for Kids campaign Award Amount: $1,000 gift per award Number of Awards: 24…

UNITED WAY OF THE YAMPA VALLEY · April 15, 2026 · Annual Foundation

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Grant Cycle 2026 Funder: United Way of the Yampa Valley (UWYV) Geographic Scope: Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado Focus Areas: - Pre-school tuition…

No-cost (tuition, books, portfolio, and electronics covered)
EARLY CONNECTIONS INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program Overview: Early childhood educators who work at least 25 hours/week providing care to infants and pre-school aged children can earn a no-cost Child…

State of Nevada Department of Education · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Childhood Education Facilities Expansion Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: State of Nevada Department of Education Amount: More than US $150,000 Last Updated: March 12, 2026 Summary Overview About…

Bartlesville Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Childhood Education Support Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Bartlesville Community Foundation Amount: US $500 - US $1,000 Last Updated: March 11, 2026 Summary The Early Childhood Education…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Childhood Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Last Updated: March 28, 2026 Summary The Early Childhood Grant aims to enhance educational, health, and social…

THE SHELTERING ARMS FOUNDATION · January 30, 2027 · Annual Foundation

Early Childhood Grant Program Geographic Scope: Minnesota Focus Areas: High-quality, culturally appropriate early childhood programs that support children's social, emotional, physical, and academic…

$500/month up to $6,000 total over 1 year
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF SOUTH CENTRAL · Rolling / Open Foundation

Early Childhood Housing Incentive Program Status: Not currently accepting new applications Purpose: Support critical early childhood workforce by providing financial assistance for housing and…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between childcare grants and Head Start?
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) provides subsidies for working families to afford childcare and quality improvement funds for providers. Head Start is a separate, comprehensive program providing free preschool, health services, and family support for low-income children. Both are federally funded but operate through different channels and serve different (sometimes overlapping) populations.
Can family child care providers get grants?
Yes. Family child care homes qualify for CCDBG quality improvement funds, USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program reimbursements, state quality rating system incentives, and various foundation grants. Many states have specific startup and improvement grants for family child care providers. T.E.A.C.H. scholarship programs support provider education.
Are there grants for childcare worker wages?
This is a growing focus area. Some states use ARPA funds for childcare workforce stabilization grants. CCDBG allows states to set reimbursement rates that support better wages. Foundations like the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and Pritzker Children's Initiative fund workforce compensation efforts. The T.E.A.C.H. and WAGE$ programs address provider compensation.

Ready to apply for these grants?

  • Assess your eligibility for this grant
  • Draft a tailored application narrative
  • Track the deadline and get reminders
  • Find similar grants from other funders