Due to the incredible level of interest and applications in the first 6 months of the Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund, grant requests now exceed the $50 million allocated for this program. To ensure the most accurate and equitable disbursement of remaining funds, we are pausing new applications. Because of the project eligibility criteria for this grant and our dedication to equitable distribution of these grant dollars, not all requests are fully funded. This pause will allow us to determine how much of the $50 million requested will be approved so we can share a more concrete accounting of how much funding might still be available.
All applications submitted on or before June 22 will be reviewed.
Once we have reviewed the applications we currently have, any funds that remain will be made available via a new round of applications. As part of the Caring for MI Future goal of opening 1,000 new, or expanded, child care programs by the end of 2024, IFF and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) will continue to prioritize high-need areas and underserved communities and inform providers of remaining, or new, opportunities for funding to help more Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community.
IFF and the MiLEAP will continue to work to connect child care providers with funding and support to help create the safe and healthy spaces that are essential to the vitality of communities.
Thank you for your hard work, helping to make Caring for MI Future a success, and for your dedication to quality child care in our communities.
If you would like to express your interest in applying for this grant when applications reopen and to stay informed on when that may be, please fill out this form.