Funding Opportunities

Discover funding opportunities available to child care providers and early childhood professionals in Chicago and across the state of Illinois.

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Access Funding In Illinois

Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) is dedicated to supporting child care providers and educators in accessing funds and elevating the standard of education and care for young children. Securing funding for professional development is essential yet challenging. Fortunately, there are multiple funding sources available for early childhood professionals. IAFC is your partner in accessing funds!

Explore Funding Opportunities for Early Childhood Professionals in Illinois

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CPR and First Aid Assistance Funds

Access funds for CPR and First Aid Trainings.
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Individual Professional Development Funds

Apply for mini-grants to fund conferences, training courses, and costs associated with obtaining your credentials.
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Quality Improvement Funds

Find additional funding for your child care program.
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ECACE Scholarship

Apply for funding to cover your tuition, fees, room and board, and more.
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Smart Start Workforce Grants

Find stable, ongoing funds to cover staff wages and invest in quality staff.
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Do You Have Lead in Your Water?

LeadCare Cook County provides both licensed and license-exempt child cares in suburban Cook County with free lead service line replacement. Getting started is simple: just fill out the enrollment form. A LeadCare Specialist will then visit your child care facility to inspect your water service line. If it’s made of lead, we’ll schedule a date for a licensed plumber to replace it at no cost to you. Don’t wait—ensure safe drinking water for the children in your care.

Enroll in LeadCare Cook County today!

Quality improvement funds

Funding For Your Child Care Program

The Quality Improvement (QI) Funds are available to assist and support child care programs that are choosing to achieve a Circle of Quality above the required Licensing level.

Discover support and resources to assist your child care program. Learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, and program expectations.

Learn more about Quality Improvement Funds

Quality Improvement Cohort

Learn more about Quality Improvement Cohort.

Training Stipends

Learn more about Training Stipends.

Accreditation Assistance

Learn more about Accreditation Assistance

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Make Change for Illinois’ Children and Families

Take action with us to build strong families and powerful communities by transforming child care and early learning in Illinois, so all our young children can fulfill their life’s potential.

Donate Today

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