Choice Bank Awards $72,000 to 9 Rural Child Care Facilities
We are excited to bring back the Choice Bank Child Care Grant for the fourth year! So far in 2024, we have distributed over $72,000 in grant funding to nine child care facilities across rural North Dakota.
The Round 1 2024 Choice Bank Child Care Grant recipients are:
- Early Foundation Daycare and Learning Center, Horace, ND, received a grant to support start-up expenses of the new facility and facility improvements.
- Haley’s Happy Home Daycare, Grafton, ND, received a grant to install a fence to keep children safe from the nearby streets.
- Kerri Streyle After-school Program, Kindred, ND, received a grant to support the opening of an after-school program at the Kindred Elementary School.
- Lil’ Spuds Childcare, Hoople, ND, received a grant to purchase educational curriculum, replacement doors, and a supervisory camera in the baby room.
- Litchville Marion Childcare Center, Marion, ND, received a grant toward start-up expenses such as staff training, facility licensing, and supplies.
- Little Bugs Daycare, Oakes, ND, received a grant to replace playground equipment.
- Milestones Early Learning, Carrington, ND, received a grant to convert a former church into a childcare facility.
- Ready, Set, Grow!, Oakes, ND, received a grant to purchase playground equipment.
- Terra Tots Childcare, Horace, ND, received a grant to purchase more supplies as their capacity has recently increased.
“Child care providers in rural communities face a unique set of challenges. With this Child Care Grant, we hope to provide rural child care facilities with the extra support and resources they need to remain resilient,” Brian L. Johnson, Choice Bank CEO.
Choice Bank launched the Child Care Grant in 2021 to provide financial assistance to rural licensed child care providers. Since 2021, we distributed $522,000 among 62 child care providers through the Child Care Grant. Grant recipients are selected based on how well their proposed project would serve the underserved, expand who they can serve, and improve how they serve.
Child care is essential to the economic vitality of rural communities. Many rural towns are rapidly declining as their economic survival is dependent on access to child care. If a child care facility doesn’t have the resources to operate, parents are forced to commute elsewhere for child care. This leads to a progressive decline in rural communities as parents move and find jobs somewhere where child care is available and money begins to leave the community. Rural areas have the highest concentration of these childcare deserts compared to urban areas because barriers to funding and lack of resources can make it difficult for rural child facilities to remain successful.
“Choice Bank’s roots are in the rural communities of North Dakota. We see firsthand the work ethic and dedication of our neighbors coming together to better their communities,” said Brian L. Johnson, CEO of Choice Bank. “Child care providers in rural communities face a unique set of challenges. With this Child Care Grant, we hope to provide rural child care facilities with the extra support and resources they need to remain resilient.”
The demand for child care services far exceeds the current capacity of licensed child care providers in North Dakota. According to Child Care Aware of North Dakota, there are 120,371 children potentially needing care in North Dakota, yet the licensed child care capacity statewide is only 36,529. The Choice Bank Child Care Grant strives to support child care providers meet this demand.
The Choice Bank Child Care Grant is currently accepting applications for Round 2 of the grant. Applications are due September 30, 2024. To learn more about the Choice Bank Child Care Grant, visit bankwithchoice.com/childcaregrant/.