Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures Grant

Grant to improve the quality of outdoor learning environments in early childhood settings and encourage active, outdoor play.

Funding Source: $1.2 million grant from the Colorado Health Foundation (announced January 2017)

Geographic Scope: Colorado (statewide) - Applications received from 42 counties in first round

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit child care programs
• For-profit child care programs
• Family child care homes
• Head Start programs
• School district preschools

Focus Areas:

• Outdoor learning environment improvements
• Active, outdoor play encouragement
• Playground equipment replacement
• Basic health and safety improvements

Award Details:

• First round (2017): $158,000 awarded across 14 grants
• Funding requests ranged from playground equipment replacement to basic health and safety improvements

Application Timeline:

• Multiple rounds in 2017 and 2018
• Rolling applications accepted

Contact Information:

• Phone: 303.339.6800
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Healthy Child Care Colorado, 3000 Lawrence Street #208, Denver, CO 80205

Background:
Researchers show that active, outdoor play boosts children's learning and healthy development. The grant was created to address unsafe and deteriorated playground surfaces and improve outdoor spaces for early childhood settings across Colorado.

Application Process

• Technical assistance webinars available - register for webinar about grant application process
• Contact Healthy Child Care Colorado for additional information
• Phone: 303.339.6800
• Email: [email protected]