Community INNOVATION Grant

Geographic Scope: Alaska statewide, with intentional support for rural and remote communities

Focus Areas:

• Child care system innovation and improvement
• COVID-19 response and recovery in child care
• Community partnerships and system change
• Projects addressing child care accessibility, affordability, and quality

Eligible Applicants:

• Nonprofits
• Government entities (including school districts)
• Federally recognized tribes
• Private businesses with State of Alaska business license in good standing
• Community partnerships (multiple groups working together)

Eligible Activities (per CCDBG Act and CCDF regulations):

• Activities responding to COVID-19 impacts
• Minor renovations (kitchen upgrades, bathroom updates, safety improvements, accessibility modifications for children and families with disabilities)
• Workforce development and educator support
• Capacity building
• Program expansion
• Diverse projects including grants to child care businesses, scholarships for early educators, and increased subsidy support

Not Funded:

• New building/capital projects
• Major construction or building of new facilities
• Major structural renovations (foundation, roof, floor, exterior, load-bearing walls)
• Extension of facilities to increase floor area
• Extensive alterations that significantly change facility function

Total Funding Available: Approximately $8 million available between IMPROVE Child Care Grant and Community INNOVATION Grant programs combined

Award Decisions: Applicants notified by June 30, 2023

Matching Requirements: No match required, but partnerships encouraged

Contact Information:

• Email: info@threadalaska.org
• Phone: 800.278.3723
• Website: threadalaska.org

Application Process

Deadline: Friday, April 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM (CLOSED)

Application Requirements:

• Grant proposal
• Budget documentation
• W-9 form
• For tribal entities: Documentation of eligibility (tribal resolution not required for regional projects)
• For all applicants: Evidence of business license in good standing (private businesses)

Technical Assistance Available:

• For local governments: Contact Alaska Municipal League
• For private sector organizations: Contact Anchorage Community Land Trust
• For nonprofits: Contact Zoe Olson at Foraker Group

Important Notes:

• Due to competitive nature, thread cannot provide assistance with project specifics or application completion
• Organizations may apply for different project types (IMPROVE or INNOVATION) but should consolidate multiple goals into one proposal
• Projects may be funded fully, partially, or declined based on review
• Multiple grants may be awarded to different organizations

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals scored on:

1. Project Design (emphasis) - Key activities clearly described; methodology very effective
2. Community Impact & Partnerships (emphasis) - Significant identified need; clear system change; compelling/valid data; identified/existing partnerships
3. Project Timeline & Outcomes - Clear measurement methods; significant degree of change; high number served; logical timeline
4. Sustainability - Excellent plan for post-funding sustainability
5. Project Budget - Clearly described and appropriate costs for scope