February, 2011

MONTPELIER - The Vermont Community Loan Fund is pleased to announce the awarding of seven Building Bright Futures grants, totaling almost $70,000, for the 2010 grants year. The 2010 grantees are:

• 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

The Building Bright Futures Fund (BBF), created in 2002 by the Vermont Legislature, assists new and existing child care and youth programs 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.

To be eligible for BBF grant funding, child care programs must be located in Vermont. Programs must be either for-profit or private non-profit operations (family or center), licensed, registered or in the process of becoming so, serving children receiving child care subsidies, nationally accredited or programs that will become accredited within 3 years. Community programs targeting youths aged 14 through 18 and addressing specific youth program needs of the applicant region are also eligible. Public schools are ineligible unless collaborating with a community based, non-public school program.

For more information about the Building Bright Futures program, visit www.buildingbrightfutures.org.