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 $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.
Question: How will the funding be disbursed, and is there a deadline for spending it?
Answer: There is no deadline for when the funds must be spent, but they must be used for pandemic-related recovery efforts, which can include addressing current impacts as well as lingering effects from 2020/2021. Funding is provided up front, not on a reimbursement basis.
Question: How is the funding or grant amount determined, and can we choose the amount we request?
Answer: The amount of funding awarded is based on various factors, including the negative impact experienced due to the pandemic, the population served, and the services provided. Applicants cannot select a specific amount to apply for; the amount awarded will be determined by the details shared in the application.
Question: How can we use the money from this program? Are there restrictions?
Answer: Funding provided by Survive and Thrive must be used to address negative economic impacts from the pandemic. This includes serving individuals impacted by the pandemic, or supporting your organization’s recovery efforts. You can use the funds for expenses such as salaries, operational costs, or other pandemic-related needs. Boulder County reserves the right to request additional information about how funds are spent at any time. It is strongly recommended to keep thorough records of how the funds from Survive and Thrive are used.
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 at least one of the following negative economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with continued effects at the time of application:
- 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.
Question: What types of child care providers qualify for funding?
Answer: Eligible child care providers include:
- Licensed child care providers
- Child Care Center
- Experience Family Child Care Home
- Family Child Care Home
- Preschool Program
- Three Under Two Family Childcare Home
- Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers
(Note: Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers are the only unlicensed child care providers eligible for this opportunity.)
PLEASE NOTE: Survive and Thrive does not accept applications from school-district affiliated childcare, seasonal child care, or residential camps.
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.
Question: I am a Family, Friend, and Neighbor Provider in the Thriving Providers Program. Am I Eligible for Survive and Thrive funding?
Answer: Family Friend and Neighbor (FFN) Providers who are currently receiving or have previously received funding through the Thriving Providers program, or any other funding programs specifically for FFN Providers, are not eligible to apply for the Survive and Thrive program.
Question: Can our organization apply if we were not officially 501(c)3 certified in 2020 or 2021?
Answer: To be eligible, your organization must have been operating as a formal 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) during 2020 or 2021. If your nonprofit did not receive its 501(c)(3) status until after 2021, unfortunately, you are not eligible for this program.
Question: Can we apply for a new facility or program created after 2021 if it was a direct result of the pandemic?
Answer: The funding is intended to address the negative economic impacts from the pandemic. While we recognize that some organizations may have expanded or created new programs due to the pandemic, the facility or program must have been operational and serving during 2020 and 2021 to qualify for funding. If your new facility or program was created after 2021 and did not directly operate during those years, it would not be eligible for this funding.
Question: Do the economic impacts we experienced have to be from 2020/2021, or can they be more recent?
Answer: While the funding addresses losses that occurred in 2020 and 2021, we also recognize that some impacts may have persisted into recent years. You must demonstrate both the negative economic impacts experienced during the pandemic and any ongoing impacts affecting your organization.
Question: What documentation is required to show the economic impacts we experienced from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer: We do not require detailed receipts or documentation of specific expenses. However, you should thoroughly explain how the pandemic negatively affected your organization or the individuals you serve. The impact must be clearly linked to the pandemic, including any ongoing or current impacts, and we expect you to outline this in your application.
Program Application
Question: When will the application be available?
Answer: The application is scheduled to open on February, 24, 2025. Once the application is open, it will be posted on this webpage and shared directly with our interest list. Everyone who applies during the application period will be considered, no matter when they submit their application.
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: Can we submit multiple applications if we have multiple childcare licenses or centers, or multiple 501c3s in Boulder County?
Answer: Yes, if your organization operates multiple licensed childcare facilities or programs, or multiple 501c3s, you can submit a separate application for each location or program. Each application of the same application type (e.g. two childcare applications) should be completed by a different representative to ensure the application is accurately processed and avoid issues with fraud prevention measures. This applies whether you operate centers in different cities (e.g., Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette) or multiple license numbers within the same building. Please be sure to provide unique information about the economic impacts for each location or license.
Question: What is the purpose of collecting a photo ID in the application and who needs to provide it?
Answer: The photo ID should be provided by the person submitting the application, ideally someone at the executive level or another individual familiar with the organization’s financial impact, operations, and needs. The ID must match the selfie submitted as part of the application. This is included in our application as a fraud prevention measure to ensure that the applicant is a legitimate individual. The information will only be shared with AidKit, our partner in creating the application for this program. It will not be shared with any other entities.
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.
If you are a Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Provider and have already received funding through the Thriving Providers program, you are not eligible for the Survive and Thrive Funding.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions will be posted as we have more information, so check back frequently for more info.
