The Building Bright Futures Fund, created in 2002 by the Vermont Legislature, assists new and existing child care and youth programs to expand the supply and improve the quality of care available to Vermont families.

The Fund is a grant resource that when blended with other financing sources enables programs to start, relocate, expand, or improve their physical facility and accessibility. Administered by the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF), the program is funded with revenue generated from the sale of specialty child care licenses plates, appropriations by the Vermont Legislature, and contributions from the general public.

Potential Uses of Funding

• Real estate purchase
• Facility construction
• Facility renovation
• Pre-development costs
• Interest rate subsidies

Basic Eligibility

• For-profit or private nonprofit operations (home or center), licensed, registered or in the process of becoming so, located in Vermont
• Public schools collaborating with a community based, non-public school program.
• Projects who serve children receiving child care subsidy assistance
• Programs that are nationally accredited (NAEYC, NSACA or NAFCC) or will become so within three years
• Projects in compliance, or in process of complying, with all applicable local, state, and federal zoning, accessibility, environmental, and other laws and regulations.
• Projects in good standing with no history of substantial non-compliance with Vermont child care regulations
• Youth programs
• Programs who participate with Early Childhood Councils or Regional Community Partnership Councils and who are members of a local child care provider network
• Requests that do not exceed $25,000 and 25% of total project
• Program must be actively enrolled in the Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS)

Program Priorities

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, programs with the following will be given greater consideration:

• Full-day, full-year operations and programs offering weekend or extended-hour care
• Programs that integrate services with other programs and services
• Programs where 25% or more of total enrollment capacity is or will be filled by subsidy-eligible children

Grant Monitoring

• Successful applicants will execute a grant agreement outlining the conditions of the grant.
• Awardees are required to report on the status of their program, project, and accreditation for up to 3 years from grant funding.

How to Apply

• Contact VCLF for information regarding application deadlines. Funds will be awarded based on availability of funds and program priority ranking.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please review all requirements before submitting your package. Submit the application along with the required information and materials. 

Application packages should be mailed to:

Hope Campbell
Director of Child Care Programs
Vermont Community Loan Fund
P.O. Box 827
Montpelier, VT 05601

For more information, call Hope at (802) 223-4427 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Past Grantees

• A Sense of Wonder Childcare, Berlin
• Apple Tree Learning Center, Stowe
• Lisa Brace, Ferrisburgh
• Brenda's Country Kids, Enosburg
• Bristol Family Center, Bristol
• Busy Bodies Child Care, Milton
• CABA Evening Care, Brattleboro
• Champlain Island Parent Child Center, South Hero
• The Child Care Center, Norwich
• The Children's Garden, Morrisville
• Countryside Children's Center, Fairfax
• Creative Circle Childcare Center, Barre
• Creative Minds Children's Center, Newport Center
• Discovery Hill Family Child Care, New Haven
• Cindy Fagnant, Johnson
• Family Center of Washington County, Montpelier
• The Family Garden, Brattleboro
• The Family Place, Norwich
• Giggle Family Childcare & Preschool, South Burlington
• Greensboro Early Learning Center, Greensboro
• Ice Center of Washington West, Waterbury
• IROC, Derby
• Katherine Jacobs, Barton
• Kidzone Daycare, Bristol
• KinderStart Preschool, Williston
• King Street Youth Center, Burlington
• Learning & Laughter Child Development Center, West Glover
• Lissa's Lil Friends Day Care, Bennington
• Little Schoolhouse Early Learning Center, St. Johnsbury
• Locust Creek Child Care, Barnard
• Middlebury Cooperative Nursery School, Addison
• Milton Family Community Center, Milton
• Mud City Kids, Morrisville
• The Neighborhood Schoolhouse, Brattleboro
• New Leaf, Barre
• Northshire Day School, Manchester
• Northwestern Counseling and Support Services, St. Albans
• Oak Hill Children's Center, Pownal
• Orange County Parent Child Center, Chelsea
• Precious Playtime Enrichment Center, Winooski
• Readsboro Preschool, Readsboro
• Ready, Set, Go Playcare Center, Williston
• The Robin's Nest Child Enrichment Center, Randolph
• Rutland County Parent/Child Center, Rutland
• Southern VT Recreation Center, Springfield
• Springfield Area Parent Child Center, Springfield
• Stay & Play Daycare Center, Lyndonville
• Step By Step Children's Center, Lyndonville
• Stepping Stones Day School, Waitsfield
• StoneHouse, Burlington
• Sugar Maple Preschool, West Topsham
• Taylor's Tots Child Care, Milton
• Tigger Time Daycare, Enosburg
• Trinity Children's Center, Burlington
• Turtle Island Children's Center, Montpelier
• Vicki's Daycare, Randolph
• Wee Ones, Day Care, St. Albans
• West River Montessori School, South Londonderry
• World of Discovery, Cavendish
• Sunshine Daydream Child Care, Burlington
• Bright Beginnings Family Childcare, Burlington
• Rutland County Parent Child Center, Rutland
• Kids' Cove, Wallingford
• Kelly's Infant & Toddler Care, Waitsfield
• Happy Hands - A School for Little People, Brattleboro
• Springfield Area Parent Child Center, Springfield