The East Grand Forks Rural Childcare Innovation Program (RCCIP) has introduced a grant initiative aimed at supporting local child care providers with essential training, health and safety measures, and licensing costs. Applications for the grant will open at 10 a.m. on January 15, 2024, and will close at noon on February 15, 2024.
Maggie Brockling, the director of economic development for East Grand Forks, highlighted that the funding could cover significant expenses. “For example, if a provider needs to replace fire alarms in their facility, those costs can be substantial,” she noted. The grant also offers financial assistance for licensing fees required by state or county regulations. Interested applicants can find the necessary information on the East Grand Forks Economic Development Authority’s website. Funding decisions are expected to be announced by March 1, 2024.
Established in 2021, the RCCIP is part of First Children’s Finance, a Minnesota nonprofit that addresses the financial and business challenges faced by child care providers in the region. The program aims to enhance the sustainability of child care services by offering local support and coordinating with state and federal assistance programs. Brockling explained, “The RCCIP was designed to solve critical issues around child care, and one of those was to create a grant program to support local providers.”
The initial funding round will allocate a total of $1,000. Recently, the RCCIP secured $5,000 in funding from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, a regional body that facilitates grants for nonprofits. This funding will establish the grant account, with aspirations to increase the amount available in future cycles as more donations come in. “Our goal is to distribute funds in a way that maximizes their impact,” Brockling added.
Local businesses and organizations have contributed to the grant fund, including notable supporters such as Sanford Health, Frandsen Bank, C&H Insurance, and American Crystal Sugar. Despite not reaching the initial fundraising target of $15,000, Brockling remains optimistic about future contributions. She stated that the community’s support is crucial for enhancing child care services, especially given the ongoing challenges in filling child care spots.
Applications for the grant will be reviewed by February 27, 2024, with a selection committee composed of representatives from the RCCIP, including city and county officials, members of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, and local child care providers. Brockling expressed hope that this new funding opportunity will provide local child care providers with additional financial resources to help them thrive. “Offering this funding is essential for our community, particularly in light of the difficulties we face in ensuring adequate child care availability,” she concluded.
