Survive and Thrive

Please sign up on our Survive and Thrive Interest List to receive up-to-date communications about this program.

The application for Survive and Thrive is scheduled to open in February of 2025. We will post additional details about the application opening date in early 2025. Please sign up on our Survive and Thrive Interest List to be notified once the application is open.

The Survive and Thrive program provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations offering human services safety net services, licensed child care providers, and unlicensed Family, Friend, and Neighbor child care providers.

Eligibility Criteria for All Applicants:

To be eligible for funding, all applicants must meet the following general requirements:

• COVID-19 Impact: Must have experienced negative economic impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with continued effects at the time of application. Negative economic impacts include the following:
  • Decreased revenue or gross receipts
  • Financial insecurity
  • Increased costs
  • Capacity to weather financial hardship
  • Challenges covering payroll, rent or mortgage, and other operating costs
• Service History: Must have provided services during 2020 and/or 2021.
• Location: Must provide services in Boulder County.
• Age: The applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Additional Requirements by Applicant Group: Child Care Providers (Licensed):

• Must serve children ages 0-5.
• Must have a valid child care license in Boulder County.

Child Care Providers (Unlicensed Family, Friend, and Neighbor Providers):

• Must serve children ages 0-5.
• Must live and work in Boulder County.
• Please note: This program does not support other types of unlicensed child care providers, such as:
  • Short-term care: For example, child care provided at a church, shopping center, or business while parents are on-site to work, shop, or worship.
  • Skill-building activities: For example, short classes or a sports lesson for children.
  • Occasional care: For example, “parents night-out” programs or child care provided during an event.
  • Care licensed by another government agency: For example, child care programs on military bases or some Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which follow other health and safety rules.
  • Babysitting: Occasional care in your own home.

Nonprofit Organizations:

• Must be licensed as a 501(c3) or 501(c19)
• Must provide safety-net services in at least one of the following areas:
  • Food Security
  • Rent assistance/housing support and security (includes utilities support)
  • Health care
  • Mental health and/or substance use treatment
  • Employment supports
  • Direct cash assistance and/or financial counseling
  • Education and skill-building
  • Child Care advocacy/early childhood services

Program Overview

Question: How much funding can I receive from the Survive and Thrive program?

Answer: Funding amounts vary depending on the type of provider you are. The general funding ranges are as follows:

• Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers may qualify for up to $5,000.
• Licensed child care providers may qualify for amounts ranging from $8,000 to $40,000.
• Nonprofit organizations may qualify for amounts ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.

The final funding amount will be determined based on your application, eligibility, and the specific needs of your organization or service. Please note: These ranges are guidelines, and the exact amount awarded will depend on multiple factors.

Program Eligibility

Question: What are the eligibility criteria to apply?

Answer: Eligibility criteria is summarized below. For additional details, please view the Program Eligibility tab.

Eligibility Criteria for All applicants

To be eligible for funding, all applicants must meet the following general requirements:

COVID-19 Impact: Must have experienced negative economic impacts as a result of COVID-19, with continued effects at the time of application. Negative economic impacts include the following:

• • Decreased revenue or gross receipts
  • Financial insecurity
  • Increased costs
  • Capacity to weather financial hardship
  • Challenges covering payroll, rent or mortgage, and other operating costs
• Service History: Must have provided services during 2020 and/or 2021.
• Location: Must provide services in Boulder County.
• Age: The applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Additional Requirements by Applicant Group:

Child care Providers (Licensed):

• Must serve children ages 0-5.
• Must have a valid child care license in Boulder County.

Child care Providers ( Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers):

• Must serve children ages 0-5.
• Must be living in and working in Boulder County.

Nonprofit Organizations:

• Must be licensed as a 501(c3) or 501(c19).
• Must provide Human Services safety-net services.

Question: What types of child care providers qualify for funding?

Answer: Eligible child care providers include:

• Licensed child care providers
• Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers
  (Note: Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers are the only unlicensed child care providers eligible for this opportunity.)

Question: Do unlicensed child care providers qualify?

Answer: Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers who meet the eligibility criteria for the Survive and Thrive program may qualify for funding. Unlicensed child care providers listed below do not qualify for funding:

• Short-term care: For example, child care provided at a church, shopping center, or business while parents are on-site to work, shop, or worship.
• Skill-building activities: For example, short classes or sports lessons for children.
• Occasional care: For example, “parent night-out” programs or care provided only during events.
• Care licensed by another government agency: For example, child care programs on military bases or some Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which follow other health and safety rules.
• Babysitting: Occasional care in your own home.

Question: Do I have to be a permanent resident or US Citizen to apply as a child care provider or as a representative of a nonprofit?

Answer: This program is open to all residents of Boulder County, regardless of your legal immigration status. That means that if you are not a legal resident and you meet the eligibility criteria above, you are eligible to participate. You will not be asked about your citizenship or immigration status in the application, and we will not share information on legal immigration status with any government agency, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unless required by law or court order.

Program Application

Question: When will the application be available?

Answer: The application is scheduled to open in February of 2025. Once the application is open, it will be posted on this webpage and shared directly with our interest list.

We will post additional details about the application opening date in early 2025.

Question: Are we required to provide supporting documentation in the application?

Answer: Yes, supporting documentation is an application requirement. The specific documents needed will be outlined in the application form once it opens. Be sure to check the requirements carefully before submitting.

Question: I represent a nonprofit child care organization. Can I apply twice?

Answer: Yes, if your nonprofit child care organization fits the eligibility criteria for both funding sources, you may apply for both. You will need to submit two separate applications. Please note: approval for one funding source does not guarantee approval for the other.

Question: Who Should Represent Your Organization in the Application?

Answer: To prevent duplicate submissions, applications should be submitted by a designated representative.

• Nonprofit Organizations:
  • The authorized representative (e.g., Executive Director, CEO, or senior staff) who knows about the organization’s financials and COVID-19 impact.
• Licensed Child Care Providers:
  • The primary operator or owner of the licensed child care facility (e.g., Director or Manager).

Question: How long does it take to apply?

Answer: The application can be completed in about 45-60 minutes. You can start your application and complete it at a later time. However, you may not edit your application once you submit it.

Question: How will my information be used?

Answer: This application will ask questions to help determine your eligibility for Survive and Thrive. None of the information you provide will be shared with other parties without your consent, except as required for program administration and by law. We will securely store any information you share during the application stage of this program. In the unlikely event of a data breach, you will be informed.

Question: When will we find out if my application has been accepted/approved?

Answer: Notifications will be sent out in early 2025, after all applications have been reviewed. All applicants will receive an update, regardless of the outcome. Notifications will be sent via the preferred contact method (email or text) provided in the application.

Question: If my application is approved for funding, when will the money be distributed?

Answer: Funding will be distributed to selected nonprofits and child care providers in spring 2025. You will receive further instructions once your application is approved.

Question: Will organizations that receive money from this program be required to pay it back?

Answer: No, Survive and Thrive grants are not a loan and do not need to be repaid. These funds are a one-time grant. Organizations are advised to consult a tax professional if they have questions about the financial impact of applying. Awarded funds that are misappropriated, received through fraud, or used for expenses already covered by other federal, state, or local programs may be subject to repayment.

Question: What if I have already received other funding or grants for my nonprofit or child care?

Answer: Receiving other grants or funding does not disqualify you from applying for Survive and Thrive funding. However, this program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and applicants will be required to provide details about any previous or ongoing ARPA funding. Additional requirements from external entities may require you to demonstrate that you are not using Survive and Thrive funding for expenses that were already covered by other programs. We encourage you to consult with a tax professional for additional guidance.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions will be posted as we have more information, so check back frequently for more info.

Boulder County Invests in Community Recovery

In August 2022, the Boulder County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) approved a $7.5 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support small businesses child care providers, and nonprofit agencies through the Survive and Thrive Grants program.

Addressing community needs following extensive community engagement:

Boulder County identified the challenges faced by these sectors as a major concern during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Survive and Thrive Grants will provide critical funding to help these organizations continue their vital work and recover from the pandemic’s economic impact.

Funding from The Survive and Thrive Business Grants will be available to child care providers in Boulder County including Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers who typically are not eligible for grants and nonprofit agencies.

FFNs are essential to the community’s well-being by offering affordable early childhood education and support working parents. Child care small businesses provide that unique support for families who need affordable care in the early childhood education (ECE) ecosystem. These providers include grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors, and other caregivers who are home-based and working outside of the formal child care system.

Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in addressing community needs, providing essential services such as food assistance, support programs, and resource connections.

The Survive and Thrive Grants will prioritize organizations that serve marginalized communities and have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic

By investing in these vital sectors, Boulder County aims to strengthen the community’s resilience and ensure a sustainable recovery.