Missouri: Innovation Grants
Missouri's Child Care Development Fund will have two incredible grant opportunities to increase access to high quality child care across Missouri in 2026. These Innovation Grant funds are to be used to implement solutions to reduce the child care shortage in Missouri. The Innovation Grant to Expand a Child Care Program for currently licensed child care providers will be coming soon but if you are a prospective child care provider looking to start a new licensed child care program, applications are now being accepted!
What is the Innovation Grant to Start-Up a NEW Child Care Program?
Missouri's Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) is offering this #grant to help providers open NEW, licensed child care programs to increase access to child care for families across the state. The opportunity provides reimbursement funding support to CCDF eligible providers through matching business or community partnership contributions.
A CCDF eligible provider is one who meets all of the health and safety requirements of the state subsidy program. These requierments require training which is reported through the Missouri Professional Development (MOPD) system.
Tell me more!
- Sign up to attend an informational webinar hosted by the Office of Childhood on September 18, 2025 from 10-11am via Zoom.
Who is Eligible to apply?
- A person or entity that filed an Application for License to Operate a Child Care Facility for a new child care program in Missouri that isn't already licensed or operating.
When is the application due?
- The application and all required documents must be submitted/postmarked by November 30, 2025 at 11:59pm.
What is the Missouri business or community matching partnership?
- A Missouri business or community group must contribute cash or in-kind support that matches your requested grant amount. Schools, hospitals, municipalities, non-profits or other Missouri businesses can be a partner as long as its primary business is not child care.
- A partnership example could be a local hospital partnering with a child care provider to offer child care at a discount to hospital employees, or a large car manufacturing plant partnering with a child care provider to ensure child care operations are available to their employees by providing space in a building on their premises to operate.
- Examples of in-kind contributions include property use, land, building space, rent, labor, remodeling, workforce incentives, or construction support.
How does funding work?
- Depending on your program's size and whether you will serve infants/toddlers you may be eligible for up to $625,000.
- Grant funds can be used for minor remodeling for licensing compliance, outdoor equipment, children's furniture, instructional materials, cribs/cots, up to three months of rent, workforce recruiting/training, and required safety items.
What else do I need to know?
- The grant period runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 and you must be licensed by June 30, 2017.
- You must maintain licensure for at least three years after the grant ends otherwise your award amouont will be reduced and you may need to return overpaid funds.
How to Apply
👉 Apply Now
Before applying, carefully review the provider checklist and Business Plan template for the Innovation Grant to Start-Up a New Child Care Program.
📚 Trainings & Resources to Strengthen Your Application
Support your proposal with evidence of professional development and quality practices. ChildCareEd offers self-paced courses that align with the Missouri Innovation Grant to start-up a new child care program.
📌 Recommended Trainings:
- Child Care Administration
- Early Childhood Program Administration
- Childcare Management
- Classroom setup
📖 Helpful Articles:
- How to start a daycare with the right qualifications
- How to start a daycare with children with special needs
Resources:
- Please email childhoodgrants@dese.mo.gov with any questions about these grants.
📲 Stay Connected with ChildCareEd
For updates on funding, new trainings, and early childhood resources, follow us on social media:
🌟 Reducing Child Care Shortages with the Missouri Innovation Grant Funds
Missouri Child Care Development Fund hopes the Innovation Grant funds will reduce child care shortages in the state by providing funding for child care business start-ups or expansion, staff training and development, minor modifications or improvements that are required for licensing, incentives to retain employees, and assistance iwth licensing and other regulatory requirements.
To make use of this grant please read the description above and use URLs in description to apply.
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