Best Grants for Nonprofit Child Care Centers in Iowa

The Iowa Women's Foundation Core Grants aim to support organizations that address barriers to women's economic self-sufficiency in Iowa. Since 1997, over $2 million has been awarded to initiatives that offer housing, transportation, education, employment, childcare, and mentorship. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and licensed childcare centers. The foundation encourages innovative solutions that empower women and girls, fostering their independence and leadership within the community.

Iowa Department of Education

The Department provides oversight to the state education system that includes PK-12 public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges, and teacher preparation programs. The Department works to remove barriers for pursuing education beyond high school. The Department also establishes and enforces rigorous standards and licensing for Iowa educational practitioners to effectively address the needs of students.  

Credentials to Child Care Careers (C4) Grant

Grant supports districts and accredited, nonpublic schools, in providing students with a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) through local Family and Consumer Science (FCS) programming, while building the child care workforce through community partnerships with licensed child care centers.

Introduction

The Iowa Department of Education is seeking applications from Iowa school districts interested in providing a Family and Consumer Science (FCS) course series while partnering with a licensed child care center to provide service/practice hours to participating Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. Interested districts will receive a Department-approved early childhood curriculum aligned to the Child Development Associate (CDATM) Credential. The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone to career advancement in the early education system. Grant awardees will use the approved curriculum paired with hands-on service hours to support students in completing the requirements for a CDA Credential. 

Application fund requests should be based on program size and the proposed implementation plan to be used across the school years.