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Application Deadline Extended to October 11, 2024 @ 11:59 pm.

About

The New Orleans Early Childhood Education Facilities Fund Grant Program (ECE Program) was created through a partnership between the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and Agenda for Children as direct result of a new property tax millage approved by New Orleans voters in 2022, that leverages state matching funding for the provision of child and family support services, coaching and professional development for teachers, and expansion of the supply of available seats in quality early learning centers. In support of these efforts, Agenda for Children selected the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority to administer a program to repair and expand existing facilities as well as catalyze the development of new facilities in order to expand the number of seats available for children of Low to Moderate Income households.

Program Goals

The ECE Program has three primary goals:

• Increase the overall capacity of early childhood education facilities and the availability of subsidized seats through the construction of new Type III Early Learning Centers in Orleans Parish.
• Expand or preserve the capacity of early childhood education facilities by renovating existing Type III Early Learning Centers in Orleans Parish.
• Enhance the quality of early childhood education by establishing, maintaining, and improving Family Child Care provider sites in Orleans Parish.

Application Deadline

• The Initial Application Period begins on September 4, 2024, and closes on October 4, 2024. Application Deadline Extended to October 11, 2024 @ 11:59 pm.
• After the Initial Application Period ends, applications will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis with future deadline established for consideration of further awards.

Grant Instructions and Application Process

General Grant Instructions

• Before applying to the Grant Program, please review the program qualifications on this webpage carefully, including the Eligibility Requirements, Required Documents, and Frequently Asked Questions.
• Although it is optional, applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with NORA staff during the application period to ensure their application is complete prior to the application submittal deadline.
• The application is divided into two parts (Part A & Part B). Part A will be used to verify general applicant and project eligibility, the proposed scope of work and proposed grant level award. Part B will be used to provide a more detailed review of the proposed construction projects and how they align with program funding priorities.
  • Awards are contingent upon successful completion of both Parts A and B.
  • For the Initial Application Period deadline, Part A is required and Part B is optional.
• Applications should be completed via JotForm
  • PDF application available upon request with application and required supporting attachments uploaded via OneDrive. Application and OneDrive link should be requested from NORA at least one week prior to the deadline in order to submit application in this format.
• For questions regarding the application completion and submission process please contact Claire Thomas, NORA Project Manager, Early Childhood Education Facilities Fund at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 504-658-4441.

• Need assistance? The following application assistance sessions are open to all applicants :

Upcoming Office Hour Sessions:

• Final Session 
  Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
  Time: 12 pm – 2 pm
  Location: Agenda For Children Office @ 8300 Earhart Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70118 (Suite 103 - Model Classroom)

Grant Application Process

• The initial application period is expected to last between 30 and 60 days.

Grant Amounts

Grants will be awarded between $5,000 and $250,000 per application in line with the Seed, Support, and Grow levels listed in the chart below.

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants must fall into one of the following three categories:

• Current Type III Early Learning Centers licensed by the Louisiana Department of Education to operate in Orleans Parish or those with the intent to apply for a license to operate a Type III commercial early childhood education facility located in Orleans Parish with demonstrated experience in early childhood education.

-OR-

• Current Family Child Care providers with academic approval in Orleans Parish (grantees must opt in to academic approval for the duration of the grant compliance and recapture period)

-OR-

• Developers or property owners with an existing or planned Type III Early Learning Center may apply if they identify an eligible co-applicant, who is a current or new Type III Early Learning provider.

Eligible applicants must adhere to all of following requirements:

• Applicants must serve children from six weeks through age 3;
• Applicants must apply for subsidized seats administered by Agenda for Children or other authorized agencies;
• Applicants must be in good standing with the State of Louisiana, City of New Orleans, and all other applicable entities to ensure the business is in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and operations;
• Applicants must be free of any pending Louisiana Department of Education investigations or legal actions that call into question the applicant’s capacity to care for children in a manner that ensures their safety, including, but not limited to documented repetitive and/or serious violations;
• Applicants that are currently licensed through the Louisiana Department of Education must resolve outstanding violations prior to execution of the grant agreement;

Project Site Eligibility

Eligible project sites must adhere to the following:

• Located within Orleans Parish
• Appropriately zoned for the type of center operated or proposed, or legally non-conforming as determined by the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits;
• Type III Early Learning Centers that are, or will be, owned or leased by the eligible applicant/organization at the time of application;
• If the site is leased, the lease must be recorded with the Land Records Division of the Office of the Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans and have a term that matches or exceeds the grant monitoring period, which shall not be less than 2 years regardless of grant scale. Leased sites will require proof of the owner’s approval of work being performed. ¹
• Family Child Care providers with academic approval that are owned, occupied, and operated by the applicant/provider.

Eligible Grant Activities

Eligible grant activities fall into four major categories:

• Design and architectural and engineering technical assistance
• Business development technical assistance
• Minor renovations and improvements
• Major renovations and new construction

¹ If the lease is shorter than the grant compliance and recapture period, a letter from the building owner stating their intention to continue the lease through the grant compliance and recapture period will suffice for application purposes.

Ineligible Grant Expenses include:

• Property acquisition;
• Extraordinary costs required for retrofitting (e.g., underpinning and excavation);
• Vehicle or transportation expenses;
• Business or working capital;
• Indirect or administrative costs;
• Professional development;
• Day-to-day operating costs such as salaries, rent and food purchases;
• Non-permanent supplies (e.g., art materials) and other consumable materials such as paint, cleaning supplies, paper, etc.;
• Repayment of loans or reimbursement of any otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to the execution of the Grant Agreement;
• Any expense that does not support increasing quality or quantity of infant and toddler seats;
• Any expenses deemed ineligible by NORA Staff.

Required Application Documents

In addition to completion of the application form, each application includes required supporting documentation that must be included with the submitted application.

Required Documents for Part A Application:

1. Owner’s Resume/Professional Biography
2. Current photos of facility (interior and exterior)
3. Evidence of Site Control (Lease/Act of Cash Sale/Letter of Intent/Other applicable documents) or Available Sites Under Consideration (real estate listing, draft lease document, etc.

Required Documents for Part B Application:

1. Site Control- Proof of ownership (Act of Cash Sale) or executed lease, deed of trust, LOI, etc.

2. Property Owner Approval (for leased properties)- Written approval for renovation or construction work.

 Project Strength Proposed Project Plan

5. Project Sources and Uses of Funds- Project budget detailing all sources and uses of funding (for center and larger development project if applicable), including proposed grant funding.

6. Scope of Work- Written description of the entire project scope of work with grant-funded elements specifically identified

7. Site Evaluation (if necessary)- Feasibility analysis including zoning, land use, building code, licensing requirements, title inspection, soils, geological, and environmental reports.

10. Construction Timeline

12. Program Operating Budget- Existing Facilities: Current and future operation budget. New Facilities: Month-by-month cash flow budget, showing ramp-up phase. Proof of funding to cover shortfalls required at award stage.New Facilities: Month-by-month cash flow budget, showing ramp-up phase. Proof of funding to cover shortfalls required at award stage.

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