The Child Care Capacity Building Fund.

About the Child Care Capacity Building Fund

The Child Care Capacity Building Fund was created to help increase the number of early learning and child care slots critically needed by families across Oregon.

Child care is essential infrastructure for the workforce, and the Fund addresses the long-standing and systemic underinvestment in the sector, especially for family-based providers, those that are bilingual and bicultural, are located in rural areas and who care for children outside of regular business hours.

The Fund used a community-driven, equity-focused participatory grantmaking model to address the factors that exacerbate barriers to accessing reliable, affordable, culturally relevant care: racism, sexism, ableism, and poverty. 

With targeted outreach and a robust technical assistance program offered in numerous languages, we received an overwhelming response of applications, numbering more than 800. 

Where the Fund Originated

Child Care for Oregon – a coalition of organizations whose members include long-time partners APANO, Unite Oregon, NAYA, PCUN, and Imagine Black, as well as Family Forward and AFSCME – successfully advocated for the Oregon Legislature to allocate $22 million to establish the Child Care Capacity Building Fund at Seeding Justice.

Priority Populations Served

All CCCB funding went to priority organizations and providers:

  • Those led by Black, Indigenous and people of color, and who provide culturally and linguistically specific services, as well as services targeted to children with disabilities, and
  • All providers served priority populations—BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and non-English speaking children and families, as well as children with disabilities, infants, and toddlers.

Meet the Grantees

In the first round of grants – totaling more than $12 million – the Fund supported 11 community-based organizations, providing capacity building services in multiple languages and financial assistance to child care providers across the state looking to start or expand their businesses. With this funding, we anticipate creating more than 3,500 additional child care slots across the state. These organizational and provider grants are detailed in the chart below.

In a second round, the Fund granted $6.5 million directly to child care providers – three in Tribal Nations, 22 in home-based settings and six centers – to add 612 more slots by hiring and retaining staff, sustaining their operations for up to six months, and/or expanding or making improvements to their physical space.


Child Care Capacity Building Fund Awards Summary

Organizational Grants

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas Counties To increase the supply of early learning and child-care slots for Oregon’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities. We anticipate this capacity building project will create 500 child care slots serving AANHPI children with culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care. Through ongoing community engagement, we have identified various barriers for AANHPI childcare providers to be able to start a business, obtain certifications, and then to scale up. This project expands existing programs to build capacity in the childcare sector to better serve our community.
Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO) Washington and Multnomah Counties To increase and expand childcare infrastructure and capacity challenges by developing affordable and culturally specific care for the African immigrants and refugee communities. We aim to invest and improve existing childcare providers’ infrastructure and support new daycare providers. Our program will provide culturally-specific business and financial educational management training in the metro areas to encourage and support providers and expand capacity. We will provide startup capital, business guidance, and linguistically appropriate support.
Ethiopian and Eritrean Cultural and Resources Center Multnomah County The childcare and learning center model we envision will provide an early learning and caring environment for 25 to 50 children. It will nurture children and families and celebrate and strengthen culture while enhancing the dimensions of identity and the child’s sense of self. The social learning and skill-building activities in diverse languages would help with bilingual competency, sense of belonging, and readiness for school. This center will support services we currently have by providing parents a safe and nurturing space to leave their kids while they attend training sessions.
Home Child Care Essentials Washington and Multnomah Counties To increase the number of African American childcare providers and teachers and to increase the supply of affordable culturally-specific childcare slots for Black children. To start an African American provider cohort that will include professional development and business support. To recruit and train more African American/African-descent teachers with both the needed CKC training and in-the-classroom internships. We aim to create 150 additional slots in Black-owned childcare businesses, improve the quality and cultural relevance of their early childhood education; and improve their financial sustainability.
KairosPDX Multnomah County To double the capacity of our preschool and add a second classroom. (We currently serve 260 preschool to fifth grade student leaders and their extended families.) To create a sensory movement area for students and upgrade outdoor space for our youngest learners. To provide individualized professional development opportunities to support retention of staff. To create a Black Early Childhood Educator cohort to support the professional development and wellness of Black educators throughout the state.
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas Counties To focus services on BIPOC-owned home- and center-based childcare providers that serve BIPOC families and children. We have structured our program – and our proposed project – to ensure we are able to customize services and support to meet each recipient’s specific needs. We will help new providers build a strong foundation to launch small businesses to provide much needed childcare to BIPOC families. We will help existing providers expand their facilities and services, allowing them to serve an increased number of children and families with consistent services and support.
Neighborhood House Clatsop, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, and Washington Counties To support our Child Care Improvement Project (CCIP) and our work as the backbone agency for the Oregon Child Care Alliance (OCCA) as we build capacity among child care providers across Oregon. Activities will include new business training and start-up grants and funds to support healthy business growth and expanded capacity for child care providers through CCIP and other members of the OCCA. Based on the number of new and expanded businesses that would be supported through this project, we estimate that 1,500 additional child care slots may be made available.
Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties To advocate for and implement a best-in-class early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce, educational programs, and support systems to serve Latino communities in the Mid-Willamette Valley. To provide Spanish-based educational opportunities for individuals currently engaged in providing or pursuing credentials and degrees in early childhood education and care. To provide workforce scholarships and stipends support for current and future early childhood educators. To implement an ECEC support system for Latino home-based providers. To develop and provide a curriculum that reflects Latino culture and reinforces its values.
Papalaxsimisha Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties To develop two new alternative childcare options in two areas of our reservation: Warm Springs and Simnasho. We want to support the development and capacity building of current teachers and providers by providing professional development, education opportunities and resources. We want to provide additional options for childcare that weaves in our cultural teachings and language. We want to support community engagement and services that run alongside the childcare program, which will include after-hour options for our families that work or need care outside of the regular business day.
Public Health Institute Multnomah and Washington Counties To increase the number of Black-owned child care slots through outreach, licensing support, professional and business development to emerging and current providers, using culturally-specific approaches. To increase the number of Black immigrant and refugee childcare providers by expanding language-specific technical assistance on the licensing process. To improve affordability of culturally-specific childcare for Black families by increasing Black providers’ participation in publicly-funded childcare programs through training and technical assistance. To remove environmental barriers to licensing and increased class sizes by providing grants and technical assistance to providers who want to open or upgrade physical spaces.
Unite Oregon Clackamas and Multnomah Counties To transform our headquarter building into a community center for immigrants, refugees, and BIPOC, where we will provide childcare incubation and operate a culturally and linguistically specific center serving up to 32 children, prioritizing those who speak languages other than English, infant-preschool age children, and operating under non-traditional care hours. We will also offer workforce and business support, and small grants to providers to grow their businesses. Our vision is to serve as an ecosystem where disproportionately impacted communities can meet multiple needs without facing transportation barriers, and be a catalyst for long-term equitable investment.


Provider Grants

Angels Play House Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub – serves Marion and Polk Counties Renovations that will allow us to serve 3 to 4 infants and 12 additional toddlers or preschool children.
Átaw Miyánašma (Our Precious Children in Umatilla Language) Learning Center (AMLC), Early Learning Program, Department of Education, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub (Umatilla, Union and Morrow Counties) Expand and renovate space in the Átaw Miyánašma (Our Precious Children) Learning Center (AMLC). Twenty-six (18 infants + 8 toddlers) additional child-care slots will be made available.
Bilingual Music Studio Multnomah County To set up a new location targeting the registered family category, with 10 slots, or the certified family category, with 16 slots (4-6 reserved for infants/toddler and 10 preschoolers).
Casita Azul LLC Washington County To increase infant capacity in the Aloha/Beaverton area by opening a new location to serve more populations. We would increase capacity by 30 children, possibly more.
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon Marion and Polk Early Learning Hub (Marion and Polk Counties), Yamhill Early Learning Hub (Yamhill County) To help fund construction of our new Child Development Center and support services. The facility will serve 36 additional infants and toddlers and will allow for 9 new childcare slots for use with 3- and 4-year-olds.
Eagle Wings Daycare Multnomah County To expand and improve existing programs and services, as well as launch new initiatives to better serve our children and families, including certification to increase our capacity to serve more families.
Early Connections Bilingual Preschool & Daycare Washington County To create a comprehensive family program that offers culturally relevant spaces for children of different ages, offering flexible childcare for families and their work-related needs.
Early Start Daycare LLC Marion and Polk Counties To build an additional space that will permit us to care for a significantly larger number of children, increasing our capacity from 48 to 60 additional children.
Education Explorers 2 Washington County To provide no-cost wraparound care for our preschool and infant toddler programs during the summer months. In doing so, we believe we will fill our remaining available slots and better retain those currently enrolled during the school year.
Friendship Daycare Multnomah County Our objective is to lease a new certified home (our third), with capacity for 16 children.
Generation Montessori Bilingual Child Care LLC Washington County To expand and open an educational childcare center in the Beaverton area. We have a house with a capacity of 16 children, but we need initial support for getting set up.
Happy Angel’s Daycare LLC Multnomah County To support renovation and capital improvement projects at two locations, a new certified child-care home and an existing certified child-care home, creating 13 additional childcare slots.
Kid’s Zone Daycare LLC Washington County To set up spaces for new children from all age categories. We will be able to accept children with special needs and provide the families with resources to overcome the challenges of a new environment and a new language.
Lake Oswego Children Learning and Development LLC Washington County Renovations to expand enrollment and classroom placements for children of different age and Chinese language-learning groups. Our current enrollment is 21 to 24 children and our allowed capacity is 50.
Learning Together Child Care Washington County To grow my daycare with the hiring of an assistant to provide quality childcare to families of color, children with special needs, and bilingual children.
Little Ants Child Care Inc. Washington County To increase the capacity of the program with a new and enriched facility with the appropriate material and spaces and structures for the children.
Little Creek Bilingual School South Coast Regional Early Learning Hub (Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties), Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub (Umatilla, Union and Morrow Counties) To expand our capacity from serving 3 to 4 children (2 to 6 years old) by adding 4 to 6 more children. With renovations, we could serve a group of 15 to 18 children, from 1 to 6 years old.
Little Lions Child Care Washington County To open a new childcare home with 16 new spots for children. This will help us with the initial costs of permits and licenses.
Lumi’s Day Care Four Rivers Early Learning Hub (Gilliam, Hood River and Sherman Counties) Renovations and staffing to open 6 more childcare spots.
Magic Shapes Child Care LLC Multnomah County To create an outdoor play area that ensures accessibility for children with special needs and increases the possibility of caring for more children from historically underserved communities.
Mi Mundo Magico Daycare Yamhill County To expand capacity (as much as double) with more support staff and to improve the playground.
Norma’s Daycare Bilingual School Yamhill County To provide families a program with a classroom and outdoor infant and/or toddler area that satisfies all licensing requirements and offers everything necessary for children to develop successfully in a safe, healthy and educational environment.
Oregon Child Development Coalition, Inc. South-Central Oregon Early Learning Hub (Douglas, Klamath, and Lake Counties) To construct of a 12-classroom, 21,800 square-foot Childcare and Early Childhood Professional Training/Learning Center in direct partnership with Klamath Community College (KCC).
Parkrose Montessori School Multnomah County To offer more spaces in our preschool and small children program and to be part of Preschool For All, a program that offers financial, educational, and inclusive support to families in Multnomah County.
Pequenitos Child Care Spanish Immersion School Multnomah County To increase and enhance our play space with more exploration and recreation areas for our students.
Pita’s Day Care Eastern Oregon Early Learning Hub (Baker, Malheur and Wallowa Counties) To expand our space and provide for more accessible and comfortable activities. The adaptations would provide the space needed to qualify for a certified family license, allowing an increase in the number of spots available for children by 13.
Preescolar Day Care Jalisco LLC Marion and Polk Early Learning Hub (Marion and Polk Counties) The funds will be used (1) as support to recruit or retain employees and (2) to renovate and improve the structure of the building to expand our capacity to provide services.
Sweet River Bamboo Preschool and Nursery Corporation Multnomah County To consolidate and relocate to a commercial space. We operate 3 certified family child-care homes in NE Portland with 36 slot. Our new center will have a total of 76 slots and increase our capacity to care for all the children currently on our waitlist.
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) Early Learning Washington County (Washington County), Early Learning Multnomah (Multnomah County), Eastern Oregon Early Learning Hub (Baker, Malheur, and Wallowa Counties) To construct a Multicultural Early Learning Center that will offer culturally and linguistically specific classrooms for multiple languages and ethnicities and will be co-located at IRCO’s new construction affordable housing development in Portland.
Tip Tap Grow Lane County To expand from a recorded program operating in a converted garage/dance studio space to a robust center-based program, co-located with Xcape Dance Academy. Additional slots will be 17 preschoolers initially, with an opportunity to serve 17 more preschoolers, 8 infants and 10 toddlers.
Vidal Day Care and Preschool LLC Marion and Polk Counties To expand and equip our spaces and staff to provide care to more families, with an additional 15 spots between two locations.