Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) Grants is a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce that funds child care business expansion and new startup projects in Northwest Washington.

Administered through the Center for Retention and Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC), the program aims to increase high-quality child care access for low-income, underserved, and BIPOC families while creating entrepreneurship opportunities for women. Funding covers family child care startups or expansions of up to $10,000 and child care or preschool center startups or expansions of up to $100,000.

Eligible applicants are current or prospective child care entrepreneurs in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, and Snohomish counties. Priority is given to rural providers, facilities offering non-traditional or overnight hours, and infant care. Applications are first-come, first-served.

Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) - Child Care Aware NW Washington Skip to primary navigation Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) The Center for Retention and Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC) is seeking child care business expansion and new start up projects. Applications will be open until April 1st or until funding runs out.

The lack of a robust child care industry within a community impacts families and employers in a variety of ways such as missed work, lost wages and in some cases employees exiting the workforce altogether. Quality child care is closely connected with skills children build, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

Increasing the availability of high-quality child care cultivates economic opportunities for families and businesses today into the future. The Center for Retention and Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC) a division of the Early Learning and Family Services (ELAFS) Department at the Opportunity Council has received funding to benefit current and future entrepreneurs in the child care industry.

For more information about the Department of Commerce and the source of this funding please click here . Increase high-quality child care accessibility to low-income, underserved and Black Indigenous People Of Color (BIPOC) families Grow overall child care capacity in our five-county region. (Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Snohomish) Create entrepreneurship opportunities for women with an emphasis of BIPOC Apply by April 1st, 2024.

Early applications are advised as this funding is first-come, first-served.

Projects funded with SBIF must be completed by May 31, 2024 Priority will be given to: Child care businesses in rural areas where community members travel far distances to find care for their children, and face distinctive barriers Facilities that offer non-traditional hours and/or overnight care Facilities offering infant care Family Child Care start up or capacity expansion projects – up to $10,000 Child Care / Preschool Center start up or capacity expansion projects – up to $100,000 If you have any questions about the SBIF please email childcarebiz@oppco.

org If you are interested in child care expansion or a new start up and meet the SBIF criteria please complete the application below. Child Care Aware of Northwest WA Serves Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties. Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington (CCA Northwest) is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality child care and early learning programs.

Housed within the Opportunity Council, CCA Northwest partners with child care providers, business owners, community organizations, and families across Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. 1201 Cornwall Ave. Ste.

201 3400 188th St. SW, Suite 291 Funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families CCA of Northwest WA is an official partner of Early Achievers.