WBDC Seeking Applicants for New Round of CT Child Care Business Grants

STAMFORD, Conn. — The Women’s Business Development Council’s Child Care Business  Opportunity Fund is now open for a new round of applications, and child care businesses throughout Connecticut are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $25,000. The innovative child care grant program is supported by a partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC). The new application round runs from February 1 through February 29.

In the last application round — in fall 2023 — 60 grants were awarded to Connecticut child care businesses totaling $734,647 in funding. Since the program’s 2020 launch, 603 grants have been awarded, totaling $6.65 million in funding, producing significant results:

• 73% of recipients have increased revenue.

• 68% have increased profit.

• Recipients have reported accessing an additional $1.96 million in capital outside of WBDC.

“Child care is the backbone of our state’s economy, providing mothers and fathers peace of mind to go to work knowing their children are cared for. It also provides critical early education to our youngest citizens and the future of our state,” said WBDC CEO Fran Pastore. “This program is a lifeline, offering current and aspiring child care businesses the crucial support and resources they need to not just survive but truly flourish. We’re thrilled to see the transformative impact of this grant program, combined with our entrepreneurial education offerings, on these early childhood businesses.”

Grant programs offered through the Opportunity Fund:

• Start-Up Grant Program: Up to $5,000 for family homes, $10,000 for group homes, and $25,000 for center for start-up and operating expenses; open to aspiring and licensed child care providers operating for less than 1 year; applications must be submitted by February 29.

• Expansion Grant Program: Up to $25,000 to create slots, maximize enrollments, and/or create new revenue streams; open to licensed providers operating with enrolled children for 2+ years; applications must be submitted by February 29.

• Emergency Facilities Grant Program: Up to $15,000 for urgent facilities projects to remain open and safe; open to licensed providers operating with enrolled children for 6+ months; rolling application.

To learn more about the grant programs and the application process, interested business owners are encouraged to attend an information session hosted by WBDC:

• Friday, Feb 2 from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | English

• Saturday, Feb 3 from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM | Spanish

• Thursday, Feb 8 from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM | English

• Monday, Feb 12 from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Spanish

In addition, WBDC Business Advisors are available to assist applicants. To schedule a one-on-one session with a Business Advisor, applicants should complete this form.

About the Women’s Business Development Council 

The Women’s Business Development Council’s (WBDC) mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. WBDC educates, motivates, and empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Since 1997, WBDC has educated and trained more than 18,800 clients in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns—helping women to launch, sustain, and scale over 14,000 businesses, create and maintain more than 31,400 jobs in Connecticut, and access more than $57 million in capital. Visit ctwbdc.org for more information.