Child Care Providers

This section brings together key resources to support child care businesses in building and sustaining strong operations. It provides information on loans, grants and other funding opportunities, along with practical guidance to help providers grow and stabilize their programs. By leveraging these tools, child care businesses can strengthen their financial foundation, enhance quality and better serve children and families in their communities.

Resources/Supports for Child Care Businesses
Business Resources
- Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
- First Children's Finance
- MN Initiative Foundations
- MN Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation – NE MN
- Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care
- Sourcewell – Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Dougla, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Morrison, Norman, Stevens, Todd and Wadena counties
- Women's Venture
Childcare Templates & Forms – Free resources from Brightwheel

Child Care Wayfinder – No cost one stop navigation for starting and growing child care programs in MN.

Office of the Ombuds for Family Child Care providers

Nutrition– Food Program – MN Dept of Education

Tax credit 45F – US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Shared Services Alliance – Family childcare programs business services for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties

Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline Program – Helps employers build a skilled, stable workforce while staff earn-and-learn on the job
Loans

First Children's Finance

MN Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation - Services are specific to Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Itasca, Koochiching, Aitkin, Crow Wing and Beltrami counties

Child Care Business Loans for region 7E (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs & Pine Counties).

Your City or County – some cities and counties have revolving loan funds. Please contact yours to find out.
Grants

ChildCare Aware – Child Care Services Grants

Child Care Services Regional Grants

Department of Children, Youth, and Families – Grants, Scholarships and funding opportunities

First Children's Finance

TEACH Scholarship - helps early childhood and school-age educators increase their levels of education, compensation, and commitment to the field by earning college credits and degrees.
Other Opportunities

CAPLP – Shared Services Alliance – For Clay and Wilkin Counties

Create a QR code/list of items your facility needs that community member, parents, more can purchase (Hermantown TMCA)

Grow your own – help people become teachers in their own communities

Minnesota Initiative Foundations – variety of services unique to each region of Minnesota.

Naming rights for a room, playground, etc.

Seminary of Learning - Property tax exemption

Tax Credits for Parents and Businesses

Energy Efficiency for Homes

Energy Efficiency for Businesses

Garden in a Box – Apply to receive a free garden kit and start growing with your group

Farm to Table – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers grants to help local schools and childcare centers buy and serve fresh, Minnesota-grown food