The Child Care Innovation Fund: An initiative to reimagine child care and its impact.
Michigan’s child care sector is in crisis — and new, equitable business and financing models for early childhood providers are crucial for supporting both Michigan families and our economy.
With the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC)’s Child Care Innovation Fund, common-sense business and financing solutions are available for child care.
The current situation
44%
of Michiganders live in a child care desert, where there are more than 3 children per every available licensed child care space.1
1%
of the child care workforce earns enough to support the average family size in Michigan (one adult, one preschooler, one school-aged child).2
-$2.88 Billion
cost to Michigan in lost economic activity each year due to insufficient child care availability.3
Innovative Solutions
Competitive Funding Opportunities
ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund is excited to announce two competitive funding opportunities, which will be open for applications January 3rd, 2025 – January 31st, 2025. Eligible organizations may apply for one or both of these funding opportunities.
Family Child Care Networks (FCCNs)
FCCNs aim to connect and strengthen home-based child care programs, including licensed exempt providers, through business sustainability supports, tools and training to enhance program quality and promoting provider leadership and wellbeing.
Want to learn more about this competitive funding opportunity?
Use the buttons below to view the FCCNs Request for Proposal document and to register in the online application portal for this competitive funding opportunity.
Regional Child Care Coalitions
Regional Child Care Coalitions must be led or co-led by an economic development organization, and will support the region’s child care business owners and non-profits to thrive and expand with the goal of increasing access to full day/full year child care for working families, while ensuring families in the region are fully engaged in child care supply building carried out by the Coalition.
Want to learn more about this competitive funding opportunity?
Use the buttons below to view the Regional Child Care Coalitions Request for Proposal document and to register in the online application portal for this competitive funding opportunity.
REGIONAL CHILD CARE COALITIONS RFP
Please sign up for ECIC’s Monthly Bulletin Newsletter here to receive updates when new funding opportunities become available.
Current Projects
Learn more about the important, innovative work currently underway in support of the Child Care Innovation Fund’s priorities.
Early Care and Education Wages Pilot
The purpose of the Child Care Innovation Fund’s Early Care and Education Wage Scale project is to pilot, assess, and advocate for the establishment of a competitive wage scale on a statewide level in the early care and education sector. This initiative aims to address the significant shortage of qualified professionals in this field and the ongoing issue of inadequate compensation for early childhood workers.
ECIC is grateful for the diverse group of experienced, determined, and passionate leaders that make up the Equitable Early Educator Compensation Taskforce supporting the Early Care and Education Wages Pilot. View a list of Taskforce members here.
Our Impact
Access reports, webinars, and other resources developed by the Child Care Innovation Fund.
Access a complete list of investments made since the Fund’s founding.
Our priorities to propel change
The Child Care Innovation Fund’s five priority areas are designed to benefit employers, working families, child care business owners and early educators.
Create Synergy Between the Economic and Child Care Sectors
Advance child care as essential community infrastructure for economic growth and development, business productivity, and school readiness.
Improve Compensation and On-the-Job Supports
Improve the wages, benefits, on-the-job supports, and professional learning early educators need to help children learn.
Build Supply
Accelerate the start-up and expansion of licensed child care businesses in areas with more than three children under age five for every licensed child care slot.
Collaborate With Employers
Collaborate on child care solutions with employers to improve the productivity, recruitment, and retention of their working families.
Strengthen Child Care Businesses
Increase the economic viability and sustainability of child care businesses.
News & Updates
We aim to keep our partners up-to-date on the latest policy developments in child care. Visit our blog and YouTube Channel for regular updates and educational materials.
Innovations in ECE Compensation Strategies: Lessons from Other State Leaders to Move MI Forward
Contact Us
Joan Blough
Senior Director, Child Care Innovation Fund