Early Learning Facilities Program – Washington State Department of Commerce
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    • The Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program supports Washington’s commitment to develop additional high quality early learning opportunities for children from low-income households. Commerce’s partners in the program are the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Community Reinvestment Association, Enterprise Community Partners, Craft3 and the Early Learning Facilities Advisory Group.

    The Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program aims to help Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) providers to expand, remodel, purchase, or construct early learning facilities and classrooms necessary to support early learning opportunities for children from low-income households.

    Funding availability

    Commerce’s ELF program funding opportunities consists of four parts:

    • Competitive grants to eligible organizations
    • Competitive grants to public school districts
    • Direct appropriations from the Legislature
    • A grant and loan program operated by Washington Community Reinvestment Association, Enterprise Community Partners, and Craft3.

    ELF funding is open to nonprofits, public entities, K-12 schools and districts, tribes and for-profit businesses. The type of eligible applicant depends on the requirements of the current funding round being released as indicated below. Nonprofit and for-profit business applicants must be registered in the State of Washington. All applicants must be able to meet all applicable licensing and certification requirements under specific RCWs and WACs pertaining to the early learning and childcare services proposed in the facilities to which the funding will be applied.

    Grants made by the ELF program are for reimbursement of capital projects only. Capital project expenses include acquiring, constructing or renovating early learning facilities. Eligible cost include acquisition, design, engineering, limited third-party construction management, construction and capitalized equipment. Projects must result in a licensed facility that increases early learning opportunities for children in the State of Washington, including those from households where the income is below the poverty threshold. Please refer to the current funding round program Guidelines for more information.

    The application period opens at 7:00 a.m. on September 1, 2025, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on October 31, 2025. The ZoomGrants application will be active, starting September 1, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.

    No early access will be available and no late applications will be accepted.

    The live Question and Answer (Q&A) Webinar will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to answer any remaining questions potential applicants may have about the 2025-2027 Expansion and Maintenance funding round. Please review the information below prior to the webinar.

    • Meeting ID: 282 753 132 142 6
    • Passcode: MR9em74j
    • Dial in by phone: +1 564-999-2000, 60426530# United States, Olympia
    • Phone conference ID: 604 265 30#

    Program Guidelines

    Notice of Funding Opportunity

    Program Presentation

    Recordings of Program Presentation

    Program Presentation Notes Transcript

    Program Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ)

    Live Office Hours:

    Speak to an Early Learning Facilities representative or enter by phone at 1-564-999-2000, meeting code: 410517262#.

    Please read the program materials prior to attending Office Hours. Office Hours will start and end as listed.

    If time runs out before your question is answered, please email earlylearningfacilities@commerce.wa.gov and allow up to two business days for a response.

    Commerce has selected three CDFI partners, Washington Community Reinvestment Association, Enterprise Community Partners, and Craft3 to run our loan program. See the WELL Fund Flyer for more information or go to the Washington Early Learning Loan Fund website.

    Internal resources

    • 2023-2025 Early Learning Facilities Awards
    Funding categoryAnticipated application openingTotal appropriationNumber of projects awarded
    Eligible OrganizationsAugust 2023$42,050,00049
    Health and Safety Minor RenovationsFebruary 2024$7,056,00064
    2025-2027 Public School DistrictsApril 2024$-TBDTBD
    • (English) The Imagine Institute is available to provide language assistance in the applicants preferred language. Please contact The Imagine Institute at 206-492-5249 or email CCSG@imaginewa.org
    • (Spanish) El Imagine Institute está disponible para brindar asistencia lingüística en el idioma preferido de los solicitantes. Comuníquese con The Imagine Institute llamando al 206-492-5249 o envíe un correo electrónico a CCSG@imaginewa.org
    • (Somali) Waxay Imagine Institute diyaar kuula tahay in ay bixiso caawimaad luuqadeed codsadayaasha arjiga luuqada ay doorbidayaan. Fadlan la Xariir Imagine Institute ee 206-492-5249 ama emayl CCSG@imaginewa.org
    • Note: Official grant applications, contracting processes and reimbursement processes are all in English.

    External resources

    Department of Children, Youth, and Families

    Enterprise Community Partners

    Local Area Chamber of Commerce

    The Chamber of Commerce in many local areas may be able to provide assistance with the application, pre-contracting and reimbursement documents and processes. Contact the local Chamber of Commerce in your area for more information.

    Small Business Resiliency Network

    Partners of the Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) provide culturally and linguistically relevant assistance and other business support services at no cost to entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profits – with an emphasis on those owned by historically marginalized and underserved persons – throughout Washington. For an interactive map in your area: Small Business Resiliency Network

    Childcare Business Feasibility Estimator

    Washington STEM is providing a tool to assist childcare providers investigate different business approaches. The Childcare Business Feasibility Estimator is designed to help potential childcare business owners understand the likely costs, revenues, and feasibility for their childcare business idea.

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    Community Capital Facilities

    Contact

    For all program related questions, please email EarlyLearningFacilities@commerce.wa.gov.