Indiana Child Care Grants: $150K Funding to Boost Access & Economy
The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation have pledged $150,000 in grants to support initiatives aimed at enhancing access to affordable child care in Indiana. This funding builds on over $100,000 distributed last year to five organizations that explored innovative approaches to bridging the child care gap in the state.
“Limited access to high-quality, affordable child care poses significant challenges for parents and caretakers, hindering their ability to participate in and advance within the workforce. It also results in productivity losses and retention issues for employers,” said Erin Schneider, Duke Energy’s managing director of economic development. “These grants aim to help communities and businesses create solutions to support working parents and bolster Indiana’s economy.”
Eligible applicants include state and local government bodies, regional and local economic development organizations, and public or private nonprofit entities. Grants of up to $40,000 are available, and proposals must be submitted to the Indiana Economic Development Association by January 31, 2025. Recipients will be announced in March 2025.
More details, including application requirements and scoring criteria, are available at ieda.org/foundation.
“Indiana families, businesses, and communities all feel the strain of inadequate child care options,” said Matt Kavgian, executive director of the Indiana Economic Development Association. “Ensuring access to affordable, quality child care will drive long-term benefits for the state’s economic growth and competitiveness.”
A recent report from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce highlights the economic impact of the state’s child care challenges, estimating an annual $4.22 billion loss to the economy, including $1.17 billion in reduced tax revenue. Currently, only 61% of children in need of care can be accommodated with existing resources, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.
“Limited access to high-quality, affordable child care poses significant challenges for parents and caretakers, hindering their ability to participate in and advance within the workforce. It also results in productivity losses and retention issues for employers,” said Erin Schneider, Duke Energy’s managing director of economic development. “These grants aim to help communities and businesses create solutions to support working parents and bolster Indiana’s economy.”
Eligible applicants include state and local government bodies, regional and local economic development organizations, and public or private nonprofit entities. Grants of up to $40,000 are available, and proposals must be submitted to the Indiana Economic Development Association by January 31, 2025. Recipients will be announced in March 2025.
More details, including application requirements and scoring criteria, are available at ieda.org/foundation.
“Indiana families, businesses, and communities all feel the strain of inadequate child care options,” said Matt Kavgian, executive director of the Indiana Economic Development Association. “Ensuring access to affordable, quality child care will drive long-term benefits for the state’s economic growth and competitiveness.”
A recent report from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce highlights the economic impact of the state’s child care challenges, estimating an annual $4.22 billion loss to the economy, including $1.17 billion in reduced tax revenue. Currently, only 61% of children in need of care can be accommodated with existing resources, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.
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