The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Office of Childcare and Community Services, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to receive grants to be used to implement solutions to reduce the childcare shortage in the state.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/17/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This includes but is not limited to funding for childcare business start-ups or expansion, retention and long-term sustainability of current child care programs, training, facility modifications, direct subsidies or incentives to retain employees, or improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements.
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Seek funds to make sustainable one-time investments in human and/or physical capital that results in new supply of childcare beyond this one-time funding opportunity.
- Can demonstrate the long-term sustainability of their business model.
- Are located in communities that have a documented shortage of childcare providers in the proposed project area.
- Demonstrate collaborations and/or partnering among private-sector employers, public and non-profit organizations within a specific geographic area and/or between or among proximate geographic areas.
- Can demonstrate the ability to complete the project within the grant timeline.
Funding Information
- Estimated Amount to Grant: $1,350,000
- Estimated Award Maximum: $300,000
- Estimated Award Minimum: $50,000
Grant Period
The performance period for this grant is expected to be 12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in order to be considered for this grant opportunity. Eligible recipients include a: public entity, Tribal Nation, community service agency, or 501(c)(3) having experience in one or more of the following: the operation of, planning for, financing of, advocacy for, or advancement of the delivery of childcare services.
- If the proposed project includes a specific site that will be remodeled or built to be used for providing childcare, you must include a letter of support from the local zoning authority that site is appropriately zoned for the facility.
- Individual childcare programs, both family, special family and center-based, seeking funds to establish new operations or expand existing operations are encouraged to partner on their funding request with local or regional organizations with experience in the planning and/or financing of childcare facilities and programs. Applications with multiple funders/doners such as city, county, local businesses, education (k-12 to colleges and universities), non-profits, foundations, etc. will score higher. The lead applicant will act as the fiscal host for funding.
- Applicants who operate currently licensed childcare must have a license in good standing at the time of application and for the duration of the project. If your license status has been subject to a temporary immediate suspension, suspension.
For more information, visit DEED.
