Invest in your family child care program with a FCCH Facilities Improvement Grant

The Family Child Care Home (FCCH) Facilities Improvement Grant from ECCLA was created to address the significant decline in family child care homes in Colorado.

Generously funded by the Buell Foundation and Daniels Fund, this grant can be used toward specific projects to start up a new program, address health, safety, and licensing issues in an existing program, or expand licensed capacity in an existing program.

Woman kneels on the floor, stacking large connecting blocks with two toddlers.

Grant Guidelines

  • Funding from this grant can be used toward specific projects to start up a new program, address health, safety, and licensing issues in an existing program, or expand licensed capacity in an existing program.

    Eligible projects can look like:

    • Purchasing large appliances (refrigerator, stove, furnace) to replace broken or unreliable appliances.

    • Updates to the interior or outdoor child care space to resolve safety or licensing issues.

    • Initial start up costs for a new program, such as purchasing cots or cribs.

    • Updates or expansions to the child care space that increase the program’s capacity.

  • Funds cannot be used for:

    • The retirement of debt

    • Salaries

    • Consultants or planners

    • Reimbursements for projects already completed. If you complete the project before being awarded the grant, grant funds cannot be used as a reimbursement for the project.

    • Vanity projects, such as updating the flooring in the kitchen to match the living room

    • Insurance

    • Vehicles

    • Materials or equipment not age-appropriate

    Any part of your home not used for child care

    Providers in need of quality improvement funding to purchase things like curriculum, toys, technology, or other learning materials are encouraged to reach out to their Early Childhood Councils. We may fund these items for start-ups.

    • Program must be based in Colorado.

    • Must not have previously received a FCCH Facilities Improvement Grant award from ECCLA. If you have applied before but were not awarded, we welcome you to apply. However, we encourage you to reach out to Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org for feedback on your previous application before applying again.

    • Must be a licensed home-based child care program or have applied for a home child care license.

    • Must serve children from birth to 5 years old.

    • Must attend one of the Mandatory Informational Webinars.

    • Funds can only be spent on projects and purchases made after the applicant has been awarded. Award offers may be rescinded if ECCLA believes that the projects were completed or purchases were made before the applicant was notified.

    • Funds can only be spent on projects or purchases made for the address on the submitted license and application.

    • Funds must be spent in direct alignment with the project narrative and budget on the application. If changes need to be made, the provider must reach out directly to Shannon Hall before making any purchases.

    • Applicants who rent their home/facility and request $2,500 must provide a letter of support from landlord authorizing changes to the property.

    • Licensed programs must include a legible and current copy of their child care license. License should not expire before the close of the application cycle.

    • If opening a new family child care program, applicant must submit documentation that shows that they have applied for a child care license and have been assigned a license number.

    • At least 3 before photos of the specific area.

    • At least two bids for projects requiring labor/installation. (Ex: If you are having a fence installed, you must submit at least two bids from different companies/contractors with quotes for installing the fence.) 

    • Photos and prices of each item (this includes equipment, major appliances, materials, supplies) that you wish to purchase. (Ex: If you can build a fence yourself but just need help purchasing the materials, you will need to include photos and prices of each material you wish to purchase – nails, fence posts, etc – on your budget table. Screenshots from the vendors website are ideal.)

     

  • The funding priorities for the Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant include:

    1. Statewide geographic distribution

    2. Addressing unmet service gaps, and

    3. Increasing capacity and access to family child care home programs.

    Priority will be given to applicants that serve vulnerable families and children.

    It is not guaranteed that your application will be chosen to receive funding through the FCCHI Grant. This is a competitive grant program, so it’s important to clearly demonstrate the need for your project—whether it addresses a health, safety, or licensing issue, expands your licensing capacity, or supports the start-up of a licensed family child care home. P

    Projects are not selected or scored based on writing ability, but rather on the strength and clarity of the project’s purpose and alignment with program priorities.

    • Awardees will be notified via email 8-10 weeks after the close of the application. Once documentation has been submitted and processed, and awardees have set up their account on the BILL.com platform, funding will be delivered via electronic direct deposit.

    • Awardees must spend the funding in direct alignment with the project narrative and budget on their application.

    • Awardees must agree to submit a six-month progress report and a 12-month completion report that includes ‘after’ photos of the funded project

    • If you are not awarded, we invite you to reach out to Shannon Hall for feedback on your application.

Announcements

The application for this grant closed at 5 PM on May 1. Applicants can expect to be notified in about 8-10 weeks.

View List of Awardees
View 2025 Impact Report

Quick Links

How to Apply

  • Before you apply

    1. Check eligibility. You must be a licensed FCCH owner, or are in the pre-licensing phase and have already applied for a license.

    2. Attend a session of the mandatory webinar!

    3. Gather your documents. This includes a copy of your license or license application confirmation and landlord support letter if applicable.

    3. Take 3 before photos of the child care space that you want to repair, improve, or expand. If requesting to replace large appliances, be sure to include photos of the old appliances.

    4. If purchasing services, collect at least 2 bids. If purchasing materials, collect photos and prices of each item you wish to purchase.

  • Fill out your application

    1. Click the button below or visit https://awards.ecclacolorado.org. If you are a new applicant - click “register.”

    2. Click on “MY PROGRAMS” to expand the dropdown menu, and then select “Family Child care Home Facilities Improvement Grant.” Click “create.”

    3. Fill out the application completely. You will see a green checkmark next to each complete section. Be sure to click “SAVE AS DRAFT” to save your work. As you work, only open the application from one tab, window, or device. If the application is open in multiple windows, it may not save your progress.

    4. Ensure your budget table is COMPLETE and accounts for every item that you want to purchase. Additionally, ensure that your budget table matches your project narrative/request.

    5. When you are finished, click on “SUBMIT AS FINAL.” Your application is not submitted and will not be processed until you complete that step!

  • Use your resources

    1. Review the FAQ, blog, or the recording of the webinar that you attended to help answer questions to have about the grant or your application.

    2. If you need assistance navigating the portal or completing your application, we’re here to help! Please reach out to the ECCLA team for support.

Application Closed

Contact

Shannon Hall
Senior Program Director
shannon@ecclacolorado.org

Enola Garland
Associate Program Director
enola@ecclacolorado.org

Other Resources

Resources and Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, it is not guaranteed that your application will be chosen to receive funding through the FCCHI Grant.

  • Applications for funding requests must be for projects that have not been completed yet. Work cannot begin on the project until the awardee has received their award letter.

    If you have started a project, but do not have the funds to complete it you may be eligible.

  • This grant does not support revenue loss.

  • No, the applicant must have a specific project that they are requesting funding for. Applicants must provide bids for services or photos and descriptions of equipment and materials they wish to purchase.

  • ECCLA will grant funds to existing licensed family child care programs or new family child care programs that are in the process of getting licensed. If opening a new family child care home, the program must be in the pre-licensing stage or have completed pre-licensing.

    This includes working with a licensing representative and having a license number.

  • You have 12-months after the date of award to complete your project.


  • It can take 8-10 weeks from the closing of the application for applicants to be notified of the decision.


  • This depends upon funding. We plan to continue with two application rounds - one in spring and one in fall.

  • You will be notified via email about the status of your application once a decision has been made.

  • Due to the large amount of applications, we are unable to attach feedback to your notification email, however, we invite you to reach out to Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org for specific feedback about your application.

  • We recommend viewing the Previous Recipients list and looking for the name of your program.

  • Unfortunately, no. Grants are awarded to programs based on their current licensed facility address. If you move:

    • Your program would need to be re-licensed at the new location

    •  The grant cannot be transferred between addresses

    We invite you to apply once you’re settled in your new home and have obtained your new license.

  • No, this grant is funded through our philanthropic partners, Daniels Fund and the Buell Foundation. This grant is not connected to state funded work or initiatives. While we encourage you to connect with your Early Childhood Council and participate in continuous quality improvement, that is not a requirement for this grant.

  • The maximum award for the FCCHI Grant is $5,000 and applicants can only ask for $5,000. If your project will cost more than $5,000, you are welcome to apply for the $5,000 award, but you must explain how you will make up the difference. This can look like taking out a loan, using other grant funding that has been secured or using this grant as leverage to apply for another grant, or using savings. It is critical that you clearly indicate this in your grant application.

    Applications that ask for more than $5,000 and do not have an explanation for where funding for the remaining balance will come from will not be awarded.

  • Yes, you are eligible to apply. If an application was not selected, you resubmit during another funding round. It is advised to speak with Shannon Hall, Senior Program Director prior to resubmission. You can contact Shannon at shannon@ecclacolorado.org.

  • We are not accepting applications from previous awardees at this time. Only first-time awardees will be considered.


  • Yes, you may apply. It is important that you clearly explain:

    • That your project is NOT complete (If your application is not clear, the reviewer may interpret your application to say that you are asking for reimbursement for completed work)

    • What was already completed and what still needs to be finished

    • How your project aligns with the grant guidelines and priorities

    • How much funding is needed to complete your project and a timeline for completion if awarded

    Be sure to include at least two bids for services, or three photos of equipment or materials that you want to buy.

  • No, you do not need to submit 2 bids if you plan to do the work yourself. You must:

    • Clearly indicate on your application that you will do the work yourself.

    • Still include photos or bids of the items you need to buy (i.e. If you are building a fence, be sure the budget accounts for all of the materials you will need to build that fence)

    We recommend that you work with individuals, professional contractors, or companies that are qualified to perform that work. ECCLA is not responsible for the quality of any materials, services, or workmanship involved in completing the project.

  • Pre-licensing paperwork is any documentation you have that shows you have applied for a license. This can include, but is not limited, to the following:


    • The email received from the state when you submit your application
    • An email from your licensing specialist
    • An email or letter confirming you have applied and have been given a license number

    When submitting any document, please be sure it includes your assigned license number OR be sure to include your license number in the requested field.

    If you are unsure if you have the needed documentation, please contact Shannon Hall at shannon@ecclacolorado.org

“Thank you for helping me breathe life into this home that plans to nurture children for many more years. The biggest barrier for me in the operation of my business for the last 30 years has always been trying to bridge the gap between ‘what parents can afford to pay’ and ‘what I need to charge to remain in business.’ Unfortunately, what is left for wages after providing quality care for the children (food, activities, and supplies/equipment, utilities), simply does not allow enough cash flow for major building upkeep. Your grant helped me with some much-needed repairs and replacements to this dedicated play area.”
— Gloria Bergner, Phillips County

Impact

$1.9 million awarded to Colorado FCCH programs

471 projects supported across the state