Access to high-quality, safe and consistent child care is a key element of thriving rural communities. The Patterson Family Foundation has a grant program to help public school districts and nonprofit community-based child care centers enhance their child care capacity.  

The Rural Child Care Program: School Districts and Community-Based Centers grant funds can be used to support short-term operational needs, training and certification needs, and/or minor capital needs aimed at expanding or enhancing child care access.  

Applying school districts and nonprofit community-based child care centers must be licensed and located in the Patterson Family Foundation’s philanthropic catchment of Kansas counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. This is all Kansas counties except the following: Butler, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Riley, Saline, Shawnee, Sedgwick and Wyandotte counties.  

The application period is now through July 30. The maximum award amount is $175,000. Visit grants.pffkc.org to apply and for additional information. 

Contact Denise Schuele, denise@pffkc.org, Patterson Family Foundation program officer, with questions about this grant.