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May 30, 2026 close date for 2027-2029 Public School Districts and Tribal Compact Schools funding round. 2025-2027 Expansion and Maintenance round is now CLOSED.
Early Learning Facilities (ELF) Program is a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce that funds expansion, remodeling, purchase, or construction of early learning facilities serving children from low-income households.
The program supports Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) providers to build or improve the physical infrastructure needed for quality early learning. Competitive grants are available to nonprofits, for-profit businesses, public entities, K-12 school districts, and tribal compact schools registered in Washington State.
Grant funds are for capital project reimbursement only. The current application deadline is May 30, 2026. Partner organizations include the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, OSPI, and Washington Community Reinvestment Association.
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Early Learning Facilities Program – Washington State Department of Commerce 简体中文 ( Chinese (Simplified) ) 繁體中文 ( Chinese (Traditional) ) Tiếng Việt ( Vietnamese ) Early Learning Facilities Program 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.
Competitive grants to eligible organizations Competitive grants to public school districts Competitive grants to Tribal compact schools 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.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) The 2027-2029 Public School Districts and Tribal Compact Schools Funding Round 2027-2029 Public School Districts and Tribal Compact Schools funding available starting April 1, 2026. The 2025-2027 Expansion and Maintenance Application Period is now CLOSED. Award decisions will be made in late April, and all applicants will be notified, whether successful or not, in May 2026.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) 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 .
2025-2027 Expansion and Maintenance Program Guidelines (PDF) 2025-2027 State Funding – Public School Districts Program Guidelines (PDF) 2023-2025 State Funding – Health and Safety Minor Renovations Program Guidelines (PDF) 2023-2025 State Funding – Eligible Organizations Guidelines (PDF) 2023-2025 State Funding – K-12 School Districts Guidelines (PDF) 2021-2023 State Funding – Eligible Organizations Guidelines (PDF) 2021-2023 State Funding – Direct Appropriation Guidelines (PDF) 2021-2023 Federal Funding – Child Care Minor Renovation Guidelines (PDF) Previous Round Notice of Funding Opportunity 2025-2027 ENGLISH Expansion and Maintenance NOFO (PDF) Funding rounds awardees and reports 2023-2025 Early Learning Facilities Awards Funding category Anticipated application opening Total appropriation Number of projects awarded Eligible Organizations August 2023 $46,036,965 51 Health and Safety Minor Renovations February 2024 $7,798,259 71 2025-2027 Public School Districts April 2024 $8,629,000 9 2022 Early Learning Facilities Report to the Legislature (PDF) Washington Early Learning Loan (WELL) Fund Annual Report (PDF) (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.
Project development assistance For applicants who are unsure which funding round or category is the best suited for their project, we are providing Project Development slides for assistance in determining the appropriate path in their project development: English Project Development Slides (PDF) Spanish Project Development Slides (PDF) Somali Project Development Slides (PDF) Frequently asked questions 2025-2027 ENGLISH Expansion and Maintenance FAQ (PDF) Childcare licensing information Department of Children, Youth, and Families Pre-licensing: DCYF.
Welcome@dcyf. wa. gov Tribal Relations: DCYF.
TribalRelations@dcyf. wa. gov ECEAP: DCYF.
ECEAP@dcyf. wa. gov Subsidy (providers only): ProviderHelp@dcyf.
wa. gov DCYF Child Care / Early Learning Providers Technical Assistance DCYF Early Learning & Child Care Offices Enterprise Community Partners Program Director Pacific Northwest jsalinasaguila@enterprisecommunity.
org ChildCare Aware Washington Listings for “Washington State Regional Coalitions for Early Learning” Washington Communities for Children USDA and HHS Joint Resource Guide – To strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities .
Other technical assistance 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. RCW 43.
31. 565 through RCW 43. 31.
583 2021-23 Program Legislation: SHB 1080, Sections 1057 and 1083 (PDF) 2019-21 Program Legislation: SHB 1102, Section 1037 (PDF) 2017-19 Program Legislation: HB 1777 (PDF) , ESSB 6095, Section 1005 (PDF) Community Capital Facilities For all program related questions, please email EarlyLearningFacilities@commerce. wa. gov .
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Nonprofits, public entities (local governments), K-12 schools and districts, tribal compact schools, and for-profit businesses registered in Washington State. Must be ECEAP contractors or WCCC providers. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Varies by round (2023-2025 round awarded $46M to 51 orgs, $7.8M to 71 health/safety projects) Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 30, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Public Works Board Pre-Construction Cycle is a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce that funds pre-construction planning activities for public infrastructure projects, including solid waste, recycling, and organics systems. Authorized under RCW 43.155, the Public Works Board (PWB) loans and grants money to counties, cities, and special purpose districts to repair, replace, or create infrastructure. Eligible applicants include special purpose districts and quasi-municipal organizations; tribes, school districts, and port districts are ineligible. Applications are submitted through ZoomGrants. Approximately .5 million is available per fiscal year pool, with a deadline of May 1, 2026.
Equitable Access to Credit Program is a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce that channels funding to qualified lending institutions serving historically underserved communities. The program operates through a tax credit mechanism where businesses paying Washington state Business and Occupation (B&O) taxes can contribute up to $1 million annually and receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits from the Department of Revenue. These contributions fund grants to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that provide small business loans, technical assistance, and training to borrowers who may not qualify for traditional bank financing. At least 65 percent of all grants awarded each year must be allocated to Native CDFIs or grantees in rural counties. The program has an $8 million annual cap and accepts applications through June 2027.