The East Grand Forks Rural Childcare Innovation Program (RCCIP) has introduced a new grant opportunity aimed at supporting local child care providers with health, safety, and licensing needs. Applications for this grant will open at 10:00 a.m. on January 15 and will close at noon on February 15.
Maggie Brockling, the economic development director for East Grand Forks, stated that the funds will be allocated to projects such as training, health and safety improvements, and assistance with licensing fees. She noted the potential high costs of necessary upgrades, such as replacing fire alarms, highlighting the importance of this funding.
“If somebody is looking for help to afford some of their licensing fees that are with the state or the county, that could be a great option,” Brockling explained.
Applications for the grant will be available on the East Grand Forks Economic Development Authority’s website, with funding announcements set to be made by March 1.
Program’s Origins and Future Goals
Launched in 2021, the RCCIP is part of First Children’s Finance, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that focuses on the business and financial needs of child care providers across the state. The program aims to enhance the sustainability of the child care sector by providing local support and collaborating with state and federal aid systems.
Brockling emphasized the critical role of the RCCIP: “It was designed to solve critical issues around child care, and one of them was the aspirations of making a grant program or funds available to support the needs of local child care providers.”
The inaugural round of funding amounts to a total of $1,000. Although the RCCIP initially sought to raise $15,000 for the grant account, Brockling noted that the program recently secured $5,000 in funding from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, which oversees and distributes funds to nonprofits in the region. The RCCIP hopes to expand the grant amount in future cycles as additional funds are raised.
Community Support and Impact
All funds for the grant have been generously provided by local businesses and organizations, including Sanford Health, Frandsen Bank, C&H Insurance, Mendenhall Presbyterian Church, First Community Credit Union, American Federal Bank of East Grand Forks, VFW Post 3817, American Crystal Sugar, Simplot Grower Solutions, and Gowan Construction.
While the initial fundraising goal was not fully met, Brockling remains optimistic about increasing donations over time. The application review process will occur by February 27, with a committee composed of city, county, and school district representatives, as well as members from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and local child care providers.
Brockling concluded that the new grant opportunity is vital for local child care providers, as it seeks to enhance their financial options and contribute to filling the available child care spots in the community. “Because we do struggle with filling enough child care provider spots that are open, it’s important that we can go and offer that funding opportunity to our community,” she said.
