Building Bright Futures grants now available for Vermont child care programs

The Vermont Community Loan Fund is now accepting applications for Building Bright Futures Grant (BBFG) funding. BBFG grants can be used for assistance in starting, relocating, expanding, or improving a child care program’s physical facility and accessibility,for real estate purchase, facility construction, facility renovation and pre-development costs.Grant requests may not exceed $25,000, or 25% of the total project cost, whichever is less.Keep in mind that the application process for these funds is very competitive, and funds are limited. Applications must be received at VCLF byno later than 3:00 pm on March 28, 2014to be considered.
Priority will be given to full-day, full-year operations and comprehensive operations that integrate services with other programs and services, and operations where 25% or more of total enrollment capacity is or will be filled by child care financial assistance-eligible children.
All applications will be reviewed for quality of care and regulatory issues. Applicantsmustbe active participants in the STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS). Special consideration will be given to start-up programs. An overview of this grants program, as well as a complete packet of application forms, is available on the Vermont Community Loan Fund website, at investinvermont.org.
For additional information about the Building Bright Futures Grants program, contact Maria Lamberti at the Vermont Community Loan Fund at 802-224-9141 or[email protected]
The mission of the Vermont Community Loan Fund, grant administrator of the Building Bright Futures grants program, is to create opportunities that lead to healthy communities and financial stability for all Vermonters. Since our inception we’ve lent over $80 million to small businesses, affordable housing developers and community-based organizations that has created or preserved over 3,600 jobs; built or rehabilitated more than 3,200 affordable homes for Vermont’s families, individuals and seniors; created or preserved quality care for over 2,800 children and their families and supported community organizations providing vital services to hundreds of thousands of Vermonters.