Caring for Michigan Future: Facilities Improvement Fund (CFMF FIF) is sponsored by State of Michigan. This grant program distributes $50 million to new and expanding child care education providers across Michigan. Funds are for renovating and upgrading child care facilities to accommodate additional child care slots, especially in areas with limited providers.

Resources to Apply for Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund - Hope Starts Here You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. The process of applying for Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund can be a little daunting.

Wherever you are in your grant journey we appreciate all you’ve done, and we look forward to helping you get the funds you need to improve your child care spaces. Support and resources are available by visiting the IFF website to help you navigate every step, along with the following: Your local Great Start to Quality resource center , which provides 1-on-1 support and webinar and virtual information sessions.

The FAQ section is frequently updated with clarifications as well as specific responses based on the feedback and questions, we get from providers like you. To ask us a question, email programs@iff. org .

Translation Services : Weekly office hours are held to help Spanish and Arabic speaking providers submit their applications. These sessions are free and RSVP is required . The Grant Guidelines are also available in English , Spanish , and Arabic .

Our monthly technical assistance sessions provide detailed information on aspects of the grant process as well as live Q&A opportunities with the IFF team. As you surpass each milestone for the grant, specific resources are available for you. For example, when you are … Working on your Pre-Qualification Application This first step provides us with the information we need to verify you meet the eligibility conditions .

To prepare, or as a reference while you fill out this application, we encourage you to: Watch this video focused on the Grant Overview and Pre-Qualification . Review a detailed explanation of the documents required to apply . Create or update your business plan.

First Children’s Finance – as part of Caring for MI Future – offers free business planning support for new and expanding child care providers. Get connected with a business development specialist by filling out this form . When you’re ready to get started you can apply here .

Picking the Best Project for Your Space As you prepare your project application or wait to get approved for Pre-Qualification, it’s a great time to consider what projects would be most helpful to your program and children. To help you have the biggest possible positive impact, you can review: Leading Practices for Quality facilities 9-minute video What Does it Mean to Have a High-Quality space?

2-minute video Inclusive Design Highlights checklist List of Eligible and Not Eligible Uses for CFMF FIF grant funds. Working on Your Project Application Now comes the fun – and potentially more detailed – part: telling us how you would use these funds to improve your child care spaces. The TA Session on Project Applications provides the best overview.

For more specific help: Our Templates & Forms section includes overviews and examples of various pieces of the application process such as Scope of Work and Legal Right to Make Changes Letter. Our Guide to Working with Contractors includes a link for your contractor to register, bid requirements, and more.

If you are looking for a contractor for your project, check out the gallery of contractors already registered to receive grant payments. Our TA session on Site Control and Working with Contractors includes an overview and examples of eligible projects. On the one hand, after all the work you’ve done so far, you deserve a little break.

On the other hand, none of us like waiting. Because these are federal funds, we must make sure everything is in line with state and federal guidelines. That means, right now, the application process takes about 4-6 weeks for final approval (possibly longer if your application is returned to you for edits or changes).

Processing grant payments to you or your contractor can take 1-3 weeks. We appreciate your patience, and we are so thankful you’ve taken this time to help improve the spaces where children in our communities can grow and thrive. If you are just starting off as a child care provider, we haven’t forgotten about you!

As part of Caring for MI Future, Our Strong Start is focused on helping new providers with start-up and pre-licensure grants as well as help navigating the licensing process. Once you have a license number (it doesn’t need to be fully active), and proof of legal right to make changes to the property and valid insurance, you can come back to us for the funds to make your space the best possible for your children.

If you have any questions or would like a little help with the process, remember you can always contact your local resource center or email at programs@iff. org . IFF , a mission-driven lender, developer, and real estate consultant, received $50 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, awarded by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) as part of the Caring for MI Future initiative.

Caring for MI Future is a $100 million investment that will help more Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community by opening 1,000 new, or expanded, child care programs by the end of 2024. For more information, visit CaringForMI-FIF. org .

Posted on April 10th, 2023 | View All Posts