Child Care Partnership Grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting applications to support local partnerships to develop action plans that stabilize and expand child care capacity in communities.

The following organizations are eligible to apply on behalf of a collaborative group: Washington nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, and local government entities, including school and educational service districts. Applicants and populations served must be located in the state of Washington.
We anticipate awards of up to $100,000. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2021.
Minimum requirements
To be considered for grant funding, projects must:
- Focus on expanding capacity of and access to child care
- Involve collaborative effort of community partners. The application must include (as an attachment) one or more letters of support signed by project partners indicating commitment to collaborate.
- Respond to local community needs
Funding priorities
Grant funds will prioritize projects that expand capacity of and access to child care programs that serve:
- Underserved areas (where access is very limited)
- Historically marginalized communities and families
Schedule for funding round 1
Notice of Funding Availability Release: June 15, 2020
Questions and Answer Sessions: June 23 & July 1, 2020
Applications Due 5 p.m.: July 13, 2020
Apparent Successful Applicants Announced: TBD, within the first few weeks of August.
Performance Period: Aug.14, 2020 – June 30, 2021
Schedule for funding round 2
Notice of Funding Availability Release: Aug. 17, 2020
Question and Answer Sessions: Aug. 25 & Sept. 1.
Applications Due 5 p.m.: Sept. 11, 2020
Apparent successful applicants announced TBD: Late September
Performance Period: Oct. 9, 2020 – June 30, 2020
Required documents
- Grant guidelines – UPDATED 8-25-2020
- Grant Guidelines Addendum 1 – Eligibility of construction-related costs – UPDATED 6-25-2020
- Grant Guidelines Addendum 2 – Round 1 due date revised
- Grant Guidelines Addendum 3 – Determination of awards
- Download and complete Grant application form – UPDATED 7-9-2020
- One or more letters of support signed by project partners indicating commitment to collaborate (as an attachment)
- Download a Sample Grant Agreement Template
Optional Question and Answer Sessions
Round 1 Question and Answer Sessions
Questions and Answers – Revised July 8, 2020
- Two optional virtual Q&A sessions were held on June 23, 2020 and July 1, 2020.
June 23, 2020 slides Question and Answer session
Round 2 Question and Answer Sessions
Questions and Answers – Sept. 4, 2020
- Two optional virtual Q&A sessions were held on Aug. 25 and Sept. 1, 2020.
Aug. 25, 2020 Question and Answer session recording
Application process
- Review this notice
- Assess eligibility
- Identify partners
- Attend optional Q&A session
- Ask Program Coordinator if your project idea aligns with grant priorities
- Draft grant application
- Secure letters of support
- Submit application via email by 5 p.m. PDT Sept. 11
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Questions?
Send an email to Mary.Baldwin@commerce.wa.gov