LISC Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program

The LISC Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program, established to enhance early childhood education in Rhode Island, supports organizations in planning and feasibility studies for facility development. Eligible applicants include both non-profit and for-profit entities committed to serving low-income families. The program prioritizes innovative solutions and collaboration among stakeholders, aiming to improve access to quality child care. Grant funding can cover essential planning services, including architectural design and legal consultations, ensuring safe and effective learning environments.

NOTE:
All organizations should consult with RICCELFF staff prior to submitting a funding request. Decisions will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability of funds, and we will provide an answer within 30 days of receiving your application.
Background
Founded in 2001, the Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (RICCELFF) is a public-private partnership designed to help child care and early learning programs develop safe, high-quality learning environments – indoors and outdoors. The RICCELFF is particularly interested in supporting projects that expand access to affordable, quality child care opportunities for low income and high needs children and families.
The RICCELFF is housed at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the nation’s largest community development intermediary. The RICCELFF benefits from national expertise through LISC’s Community Investment Collaborative for Kids (CICK). CICK brings public officials, child care providers, philanthropists and other stakeholders to the table to devise comprehensive and innovative solutions to child care facility dilemmas. As a member of the National Children’s Facilities Network, LISC works closely with organizations across the country to advocate for policies and funding that support the development of quality child care facilities in low-income communities.
The Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program is available for predevelopment and feasibility activities to develop, expand, or improve early childhood facilities in Rhode Island. Grant-funded. planning work could include hiring professionals for the following:
Architectural design services for project feasibility and concept designSite analysisEngineering studiesLegal services (ex: hiring a land use attorney to pursue a change in zoning for allowable use)Environmental survey and review

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for this grant program include:Both non-profit or for-profit organizations.Child care providers with a commitment to provide early childhood care and education to low‐income families with a public subsidy.Real estate developers with commitment to offering a favorable, long-term lease or a lease-to-own scenario and is partnered with or is committed to partnering with an eligible child care provider.These funds are for planning only.Eligible applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration – not debarred or suspended – and must have the ability to comply with requirements of a federally funded facility project (including written procurement policy, maintenance of financial reports to show and account for the uses of grant funds, provision of audited financials or acceptable alternative, etc.).

Ineligibility

If you are seeking capital grant funding (hiring a contractor for repair, renovation, or construction, or for the purchase of equipment), please contact us; however, this particular grant opportunity is not for you.Current directors, officers, employees, and contractors of LISC and such individuals' family members (spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren) are not eligible to apply or seek an award.