Community Capital Facilities - Early Learning Program

The Early Learning Facilities program, funds projects for only eligible organizations and K-12 school districts.

Eligible Organizations

Eligible organizations may apply for grants through a competitive application process directly with Commerce or a grant or a loan through a CDFI. Commerce has selected a three CDFI partnership of Enterprise Community Partners, Craft 3, and the Washington Community Reinvestment Association. We are currently working to get under contract with them and will provide more information once resources are available.

Download the 2017-2019 Eligible Organizations Early Learning Facilities Grant Program Guidelines. (PDF)

Eligible organizations include:
• ECEAP providers
• Working Connections Child Care providers who are eligible to receive state subsidies
• Licensed early learning centers not currently participating in ECEAP, but intend to do so
• Developers of housing and community facilities
• Community and technical colleges
• Educational Service Districts (ESD)
• Local governments
• Federally recognized tribes in the state
• Religious affiliated entities.

Our capital grants cover:
• No more than $10,000 for facility pre-design
• No more than $100,000 for minor renovations and repairs
• No more than $800,000 for major construction, major renovation, and facility purchase

School Districts

Commerce, in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, will submit a ranked and prioritized list of school district early learning facilities projects to the legislature for future funding. This list will be provided to the legislature by September 15. These projects will be selected from a competitive round of applications.

Activities eligible for funding include:
• No more than $800,000 for major construction, purchase, and renovation

Download the 2017-2019 K-12 School District Early Learning Facilities Grant Program Guidelines (PDF).