Grant is part of state’s Caring for MI Future initiative to open or expand 1,000 child care programs by the end of 2024, applications for grants from implementation partner IFF now open
Lansing, MI (November 3, 2022) – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that applications for the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund are now open. Child care entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or expanding a child care facility can apply for a grant to reduce the cost of converting space that meets child care facility guidelines. The $50 million to open and grow new child care facilities as part of the state’s Caring for MI Future initiative. Caring for MI Future is a $100 million investment to help Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community by opening 1,000 new or expanded child care programs by the end of 2024.
“Today, too many Michigan families live in a community without enough child care options to meet their needs, meaning families are forced to leave the workforce, work fewer hours, or piece together options that don’t work well for their family,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why we launched Caring for MI Future, a $100 million, bipartisan investment to establish or expand 1,000 child care programs by the end of 2024. Today we take a step forward towards getting this done, with $50 million in grant funds to help child care entrepreneurs open or grow their business. Let’s keep working together to expand access to high-quality, affordable child care that meets people’s needs so we can grow our economy and move Michigan forward.”
“As a parent, I know how critical it is to ensure access to affordable, high-quality child care,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “A part of our Caring for MI Future initiative, these Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund grants will help new and expanding child cares renovate facilities and build learning environments that help kids thrive and set them up for success. Governor Whitmer and I are committed to ensuring that parents in every Michigan community can go to work knowing their kids are cared for.”
Grants are being administered in partnership with IFF, a mission-driven lender, developer, and real estate consultant, the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Quality early childhood education is essential to the vitality of communities and safe and healthy spaces are a crucial part of this
“Quality early childhood education is essential to the vitality of communities and safe and healthy spaces are a crucial part of this,” said Joe Neri, IFF CEO. “For nearly 35 years, IFF has worked to increase access to quality early childhood education, for all children, creating and supporting safe and inspiring learning spaces in the Midwest. Aligning programmatic and facilities quality is at the core of what we do and so we’re honored to work with the Michigan Department of Education to facilitate this program and bestow the funds, and our knowledge and research, to providers across the state.”
Through the Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund, new and expanding child care entrepreneurs in Michigan can apply for grants. The grants which range in size from $50,000 for home-based child care and $150,000 for center-based programs, help providers to complete minor renovations and improvements to meet licensing and quality standards.
The Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund will address facility quality related to heating and cooling, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishings, and outdoor play areas, which are proven to contribute to quality learning environments and positively impact children’s learning, development, and well-being. Eligible applicants include licensed child care providers located in the State of Michigan who are newly licensed providers or existing providers expanding their licensed capacity.
For a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and information on the application process visit michigan.gov/caringformifuture or caringformi-fif.org.
Through the Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund, IFF will provide grants to new and expanding early childhood education providers in Michigan. The grants, which will range in size from $50,000 for family child care homes and $150,000 for center-based providers, will enable providers to complete minor renovations and improvements, to the interior and exterior of facilities, to meet licensing and quality standards.