Q2 Application Close: April 30, 2026
Q2 Review Completed: May 31, 2026
Q2 Winner Announced: June 30, 2026
Future Deadlines: July 31, 2026 (Q3) | October 31, 2026 (Q4)
USA: National (all 50 states)
A quarterly $5,000 grant for U.S. for-profit small businesses creating measurable community impact. Childcare businesses are a natural fit — serving families and children in their community. Q2 applications are open now with a deadline of April 30, 2026. Awards are given each quarter.
Grants to small business owners
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2026 (URGENT)
Board Review: July 2026
Awards Distributed: August 2026
Next Deadline: October 1, 2026
USA: National (accepts applications from all 50 states; historically New England-focused)
A national foundation awards seed grants of $1,000–$25,000 to nonprofits launching innovative, experimental early childhood education projects directly benefiting children. Day care projects are eligible if they are specific and innovative. Deadline is April 1, 2026 — apply now.
Grants to childcare centers and homes
Applications Open: April 1, 2026
Application Deadline: April 30, 2026
Funding Request Due: May 14, 2026
Payments Begin: July 2026 (split between June and July)
IMPORTANT: Mandatory orientation must be completed before portal unlocks — allow 24 hours after completion
USA: Illinois (statewide)
Illinois licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes can apply for quarterly cash grants to raise staff wages — with no increase to parent fees or co-pays. Awards are structured per classroom and paid quarterly. Applications open April 1–30, 2026. Both for-profit and nonprofit providers are eligible.
Grants to childcare centers and homes
Deadline: Rolling — reviewed monthly until funds are depleted
Applications Open: Now open
Virginia:Richmond, Virginia region (Richmond City, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and surrounding counties)
A Richmond-area foundation offers flexible rolling grants up to $25,000 for small, local nonprofit childcare programs with annual budgets under $750,000. Applications are reviewed monthly until funds are depleted — making this an accessible, low-barrier opportunity for smaller organizations.
Grants for Local Childcare Programs
Site Visits (finalists only): Late March – April 2026 Award Notifications: June 30, 2026 Note: LOI and full proposal deadlines have passed. Finalist organizations are currently in the site visit phase. Watch for the next cycle announcemen
USA: National (projects must serve early childhood professionals within the United States)
Multi-year national grants supporting nonprofit organizations that provide or develop professional development programs for early childhood educators at scale. Priority given to innovative and proven coaching models, leadership development for ECE directors, and community-based substitute teacher pool initiatives.
Grants for nonprofit early childhood education organizations
Application Deadline: April 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM (no late submissions accepted) Award Notifications: By May 15, 2026 Grant projects must be started and completed in 2026
USA: Kansas — 26 specific counties only: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Jewell, Republic, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Russell, Lincoln, Ottawa, Ellsworth, Saline
A competitive grant for licensed for-profit childcare facilities to address equipment and facility maintenance needs. Eligible purchases include playground equipment, childcare supplies, furniture, curriculum, safety equipment, first aid supplies, and minor repairs to help your program thrive.
Grants for childcare centers and homes
Important Dates: Application Window Opens: April 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM ET
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 23, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Semi-finalists Notified: May 2026
Finalists Notified: June 2026
Recipients Announced: Mid-July 2026
Grant Summit: Mid-September 2026
USA: For-profit businesses with a physical location or headquarters mailing address in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming. (Michigan and Texas eligible if within 100 miles of a BMO branch.)
A major U.S. bank awards 15 grants of $10,000 each to for-profit small businesses whose work advances opportunities for women. Childcare businesses are a strong fit — providing education-focused programs and services designed to support women and girls. Applications close April 23, 2026.
Grants to small business owners
Application Opens: April 1, 2026
Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 9:00 PM PST
Internal Review: May 11–15, 2026
Follow-Up Period: May 18–29, 2026
Award Date: Late June 2026
USA: California – Santa Barbara County only
A California community foundation offers grants up to $50,000 to licensed nonprofit childcare providers helping working families afford care in Santa Barbara County. Application opens April 1 and closes April 30, 2026.
Grants to childcare centers and homes
Round 2 LOI Deadline: May 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM CST
Round 2 Full Application Deadline: June 29, 2026
Awards Announced: September 2026
USA: Kansas and northwest Missouri (rural catchment area — see pattersonfamilyfoundation.org for county list)
A family foundation focused on rural communities in Kansas and northwest Missouri is accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for Round 2 of their 2026 grant cycle. Grants support early childhood, childcare access, and rural community vitality. LOIs are accepted through May 13, 2026, with full applications due June 29, 2026.
Grants to childcare centers and homes
Phase 1 Application Deadline: June 11, 2026 at 5:59 PM MT Phase 2 Detailed Questionnaire Sent: June 17, 2026 (to eligible Phase 1 applicants only) Phase 2 Questionnaire Deadline: June 24, 2026 at 5:59 PM MT Winners Announced: Later in 2026 (exact date not specified)
USA: National (all 50 states) and Canada (excluding Quebec)
A $250,000 grant program for home and community service business owners, including in-home childcare and caregiving providers. Nine grants are awarded ranging from $10,000 up to $100,000, with a fast 5-minute application. Open to U.S. and Canadian small businesses. Applications close June 11, 2026.
Grants for small business childcare owners
Cycle 2 Applications Open: July 2026 Full Application Deadline: Late August 2026 (exact date TBD — check website) Grant Decisions: Mid-December 2026 Note: Cycle 1 deadline has passed. Cycle 2 is the next open opportunity.
USA: Virginia — Richmond City, Chesterfield County, Henrico County, and/or Petersburg
Competitive grants for nonprofit organizations providing high-quality early care and education to children ages 0–5. Funding supports exceptional learning environments, workforce development, family engagement programs, and early childhood advocacy efforts.
Grants for nonprofit early childhood organizations
Applications Open: February 24, 2026 Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET Recipients Announced: May 5, 2026
USA: National (all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico)
A national grant fund awarding multiple tiers of funding to for-profit small business owners across the United States, including childcare providers. Recipients also receive one full year of free bookkeeping services in addition to the cash grant.
Grants for small business childcare owners
