Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant: Wage Support Supplement

Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant: Wage Support Supplement

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Amount: Up to US $1,000
Last Updated: November 05, 2025

Summary

The Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant provides vital wage support for childcare providers in Dubuque County. Designed to enhance employee compensation, this fund aims to retain qualified professionals while maintaining affordable tuition for families. With grants of up to $1,000 for full-time and $500 for part-time staff, it addresses the pressing issue of childcare wages. This initiative, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, ensures quality care and access to essential services for the community.

Overview

Since 2003, we have inspired people to give back to their community. We turn this generosity into lasting change across our region, increasing access to resources and opportunities that help all people succeed. Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant We are excited to introduce year three of the Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) has assumed responsibility for the fund, taking over from Dubuque Initiatives, which has partnered with Greater Dubuque Development Corp. since the program’s launch in December 2023. Together, we can continue making a positive impact on childcare access and quality in our community. Childcare providers are essential to our community. They serve as teachers, caregivers, a source of nutritious meals, and nurturing environments for children, and they play a critical role in the larger economy through the provision of care options for our working families. The Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant is designed to address the growing challenges of childcare wages without significantly increasing the costs of tuition and passing along additional costs to families. This program is supported by CFGD, a 501(C)3 non-profit, through funds received from private sector employers. Funding Request Areas Please apply for all the funding request area(s) that best align with your center's focus: Wage Support Supplement; HHS Required Costs; Professional Development & Technology Upgrades; AccessDubuqueJobs.com Investment Wage Support Supplement Financial support may be used to increase wages and ensure child care positions remain competitive in the job market. For example, a center could request a one-time grant of up to $1,000 per full-time employee and up to $500 per part-time employee to provide incentive-based bonuses, as determined by the director, to help retain qualified professionals. Executive directors may be included in this funding; however, owners are not eligible. Please note that temporary or seasonal employees are not eligible for this funding.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Program Eligibility Located in Dubuque County, or within the city limits of Cascade and DyersvilleFull license with the Iowa Department of Health and Human ServicesQuality rated (IQ4K) or NAEYC accredited programs may receive priorityHave a current Child Care Assistance (CCA) agreement with the Iowa Department of Health and Human ServicesProvide a W9Agree to provide information as requested for compliance with the Child Care Solutions Fund grant Staff Eligibility Consistently scheduled to work a minimum of 20 hours per weekWork year-round (not temporary or seasonal)Provide direct care to childrenOwners of the center businesses are not eligible