Building Bright Futures Fund

The Building Bright Futures Fund, created in 2002 by the Vermont Legislature, assists new and existing child care and youth programs to expand the supply and improve the quality of care available to Vermont families.

The Fund is a grant resource that when blended with other financing sources enables programs to start, relocate, expand, or improve their physical facility and accessibility. Administered by the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF), the program is funded with revenue generated from the sale of specialty child care licenses plates, appropriations by the Vermont Legislature, and contributions from the general public.

What the funds may be used for

• Real estate purchase
• Facility construction
• Facility renovation
• Pre-development costs
• Interest rate subsidies

Basic Eligibility

• For-profit or private non-profit operations (family or center), licensed, registered or in the process of becoming so, located in Vermont.
• Projects who serve children receiving child care subsidy assistance.
• Nationally accredited (NAEYC, NSACA or NAFCC) or programs that will become accredited within three years.
• Projects in good standing with no history of substantial non-compliance with Vermont child care regulations.
• Projects in compliance, or in process of complying, with all applicable local, state, and federal zoning, accessibility, environmental, and other laws and regulations.
• Youth programs that reach out to all children with positive youth development opportunities.
• Programs who participate with Early Childhood Councils or Regional Community Partnership Councils and who are members of a local child care provider network.
• Requests that do not exceed $25,000 and 25% of total project.

Program Priorities

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, programs with the following will be given greater consideration:

• Full-day, full-year operations and programs offering weekend or extended hour care.
• Comprehensive operations that integrate services with other programs and services.
• Operations where 25% or more of total enrollment capacity is or will be filled by subsidy eligible children.

Ineligible Projects

• Public schools *
• Costs already incurred.
  *Public schools collaborating with a community based, non-public school program are eligible to apply.

How to apply:

• Contact VCLF for information regarding application deadlines. Funds will be awarded based on availability of funds and program priority ranking.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please review all requirements before submitting your package. Submit the application along with the required information and materials.
• Application packages should be mailed to Hope L. Campbell; Building Bright Futures Fund; c/o VCLF; P.O. Box 827, Montpelier, VT 05601.

Decision Making Process

• All applications will receive written notification acknowledging receipt of their application.

Grant Monitoring

• Successful applicants will execute a grant agreement outlining the conditions of the grant.
• Awardees are required to report on the status of their program, project, and accreditation for up to 3 years from grant funding.

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