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Early Childhood Education (ECE) Grant Cycle 2026

UNITED WAY OF THE YAMPA VALLEY

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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

April 15, 2026

7 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

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 assistance

  • Ages 0-5 childcare fee reductions and tuition assistance

  • Programs serving ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households

    • Eligibility Requirements:

  • Tax-exempt organization eligible to accept charitable donations

  • Pre-schools and childcare providers must have a Colorado Shines rating of 1 or higher

  • Strong oversight by an engaged Board of Directors

  • Financially healthy organization

  • Serve primarily lower-income, at-risk clients in Routt, Moffat, and/or Rio Blanco County

    • Target Population:

  • ALICE households earning up to 400% of Federal Poverty Level (program directors have discretion for families with dire needs)

  • Children birth to 8 years of age

    • Community Impact Goals Addressed:

  • Give children a strong start (birth to 8 years of age)

  • Access to affordable, quality preschool and childcare

  • Access to early childhood development programs promoting literacy, kindergarten preparation, or parenting skills

  • Childcare provider professional development and qualifications

    • What UWYV Does Not Fund:

  • General operations

  • Capital equipment

  • Sports or sports enhancement programs

    • Grant Priority:

  • Programs aligned with UWYV Board priorities and meeting/exceeding UWYV expectations receive priority funding

  • Programs demonstrating positive impact on ALICE households are encouraged

    • Key Dates:

  • March 4-10: Pre-qualification meeting signup

  • March 11: Pre-qualification meetings (Zoom or in-person, ~20 minutes each; required for new applicants, optional for prior award recipients)

  • April 15: ECE Grant Applications Due

  • May 7: Grant application questions sent to authors

  • May 14: Responses to questions due

  • July 13: Grant award letters sent

    • Contact Information:

  • Jennifer Bruen: director@UnitedWayYV.org

  • Chick Corrado: cncorrado@comcast.net

    • Additional Information:

  • UWYV only funds program-specific requests

  • ALICE Report review recommended for all applicants

  • Evaluation rubric available for review

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Pre-Qualification Meeting (March 11, 2026)
    - Required for organizations applying for the first time
    - Optional for organizations that received a grant from UWYV last year
    - Sign up March 4-10 via provided Google form link
    - Available via Zoom or in-person
    - Duration: ~20 minutes
    - Contact UWYV if this date doesn't work to arrange alternative

    2. Prepare Application
    - Use the provided application form
    - Complete locally on your computer
    - Gather required agency financial information (IRS Form 990, etc.)

    3. Submit Application (Due April 15, 2026)
    - Email completed application as PDF file
    - Include all requested agency financial information
    - Send to:
    - Jennifer Bruen: director@UnitedWayYV.org
    - Chick Corrado: cncorrado@comcast.net

    4. Respond to Questions (Due May 14, 2026)
    - Grant review team sends questions by May 7
    - Submit responses to Jennifer Bruen and Chick Corrado

    5. Award Notification
    - Grant award letters sent by July 13, 2026

    Required Materials

    • Completed ECE Grant Application form (Word Doc or fillable form available)
    • IRS Form 990
    • Agency financial information as detailed in application
    • Colorado Shines rating (for pre-schools and childcare providers)

    Evaluation Criteria

    Program Features:

  • Aligned with core organization goals

  • Serves primarily lower-income, at-risk clients in Routt, Moffat, and/or Rio Blanco County

  • Addresses a UWYV community impact goal

  • Demonstrates strong program management with evidence of delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement

  • Shows positive impact on ALICE households

    • Organizational Features:

  • Strong oversight by engaged Board of Directors

  • Financially healthy organization

  • Tax-exempt status

  • Colorado Shines rating of 1 or higher (for childcare/preschools)

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    child-carepreschoolsdaycare

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