The Facility Start-Up / New License Grants provides entrepreneurs interested in starting a new child care facility (or obtaining a new license for a new facility) with funding for renovating a new space or for new construction.
Donor Name: Coastal Enterprises, Inc
State: Maine
County: Aroostook County (ME), Franklin County (ME), Penobscot County (ME), Piscataquis County (ME), Somerset County (ME) and Washington County (ME)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/31/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $250,000
Details:
Anyone interested in starting a child care facility (a child care business outside a home environment) is eligible to apply for a grant covering up to 50% of their start-up costs. Sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations and employers are encouraged to apply. Existing child care providers seeking a new (additional) license are welcome to submit an application.
Priority Areas
Priority will be given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington Counties. In addition, applicants committing to the following will receive bonus points:
- Providing care for infants
- Providing care for toddlers
- Providing care for families income-eligible for subsidy
- Participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program
Funding Information
- Applicants renovating an existing building may request up to 50% of their costs up to $80,000. Those constructing a new building are eligible for up to 50% of their costs, up to $250,000.
- Applicants adding square footage to an existing building with new exterior walls and a new larger roof, who also are adding at least 50% more to their licensed capacity, are eligible for up to 50% of their costs up to $200,000.
Eligible Uses
Grant awards received may be used for the following purposes:
- Purchasing or renting a building and renovating it to deliver high quality child care. Selected examples include adding a window to allow for egress and to add natural light, removing a wall to increase the size of a room, adding an accessible ground-floor bathroom and installing a fire alarm system.
- Constructing a new building that is designed to enhance a child’s development.
- Buying educational materials. Selected examples include books, musical instruments, developmentally appropriate toys and consumable supplies, such as paper, paint and chalk.
- Acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures. Selected examples include tables, chairs, cribs and sleeping mats.
- Creating an outdoor learning environment. Selected examples include building pathways, gardens or activity centers, such as a mud kitchen.
- Buying playground equipment. Selected examples include swings, sandboxes, shade areas, playsets and energy-absorbing material.
- Procuring health and safety supplies and other materials required to be licensed. Selected examples include first aid kits, electrical outlet covers and gates.
- Having sufficient working capital on hand for the first month. Selected examples include money to cover payroll and children’s food while you register and onboard with the subsidy and USDA food programs.
For more information, visit Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
