Funding
Currently available or soon to be available opportunities through the RICCELFF:
The 2024 Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program is available for predevelopment and feasibility activities to develop, expand, or improve early childhood facilities in Rhode Island.
Applications for this Program will be accepted starting on February 15, 2024. 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. Projects should be completed by September 30, 2024, with the possibility to apply for a one-year extension.
Please note: These funds are for planning only. 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!
Find out more here.
The third year of facility improvement and expansion grant funding for Providence-based child care providers, the Providence Early Learning Infrastructure Support Program, launched in early 2023.
This program is funded through an allocation of Providence’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with the remainder allocated through the City budget! Read more here.
Round 2 is now closed.
Early feasibility facility planning grants in the amount of $5,000 – $10,000
This small, competitive pool of private funding has been made available by LISC. Grants allow qualified organizations to secure professional services to plan for and assess the feasibility of both indoor and outdoor facility projects. Qualified services might include architectural services, landscape /playground design services, engineering studies, and environmental surveys. These planning grants can also be used to help devise a prioritized facility improvement plan.
To learn more about the type of information that LISC may request in the planning grant application process, please read our Guidelines for Funding (this document is for reference only- please fill out a technical assistance request as a first step).
A very competitive pool of recoverable grant funds are available to qualified organizations that are looking to expand quality child care or early education programming for low-income families. Recoverable grants, which typically range in size from $10,000 – $100,000 can be used to support pre-development costs, such as an option on a site, architectural drawings, environmental and engineering review, legal and project management fees. Recoverable grants essentially function like “zero-interest loans.” The amount of recoverable grant funds provided will vary based on the size and needs of the project and the overall plan for repayment of the funds.
Loans ranging from $50,000 – $5 million are available to qualified child care centers for eligible facility projects. Click HERE for additional information on our loan products.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Capital Fund provides more than $13.2 million in competitive grant funding for two uses:*
1) small-scale renovations and repairs to existing facilities to improve health and safety, quality, or reconfiguration of existing space; and
2) the development of new, high quality child care spaces, including planning, construction, rehabilitation, demolition, and site work.
*Please note: Wave 2 is currently closed.
Sign up for our eNewsletter below to be notified when future grant funding is available. Organizations interested in discussing recoverable grant and loan opportunities should contact us at riccelff@lisc.org or 401-331-0131.
