Child care is a challenge across rural communities in Iowa and across the nation. However, the solutions are often more complicated than the construction of a new facility. Many factors need to be carefully analyzed to determine the feasibility for development of a child care center, expansion of an existing one or support for in-home providers. Through greater understanding of their geographic market, demographics, competition, financials, and other factors, communities can be armed with the information needed to take proactive steps towards addressing child care challenges. Funding from the programs will empower communities to assess their current child care environment and develop strategies.
The program, defined in Iowa Administrative Code, is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Forces.
Informational Webinar
Monday, July 17, 2-3PM: Register Online
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Use of Funding
Eligible Applicants
City and county governments or federally recognized tribal governments physically located in Iowa;
501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit agencies and foundations;
public and private schools serving grades pre-K through 12 and physically located in Iowa; and
higher education institutions located in Iowa.
The study must benefit and take place in a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. If a county-wide application, must be within one of the 88 least-populous counties in Iowa. An eligible applicant may submit an application that includes one or more partners and may apply on behalf of multiple cities or an entire county if the county is one of the 88 least-populous counties in Iowa.
Eligible Project Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity for grants administration.
Applications must provide 1:1/2 cash match.
Applications must agree to contract with a professional third-party partner for completion of the planning effort.
Applicant communities must identify the third-party organization in their application that will conduct the planning process.
Funding
Grant Request Amount Grant Recipients will be awarded $10,000.
Match Requirement
Funding Period
Disbursement of Funds
An invoice and proof of payment. A status report for the claim period. Status reports must be received once per quarter. If no funds are requested, recipients should still file a status report.
Additional documentation requested by IEDA, as needed.
Online Application Submission
Applicants must apply via IowaGrants.gov, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants must create a login to view the full application for the program.
Review Process
Additional Information
Additional information, including guidelines and scoring rubric are available on the Center for Rural Revitalization website at https://www.iowaeda.com/center-for-rural-revitalization/child-care-study/
