The Boone County Early Childhood Fund Grant provides funds to Boone County organizations to prepare children age birth to kindergarten for social, emotional, physical, and academic success. A child’s early years are the most critical for human development, and we believe that building a solid foundation during these years is the most effective way to assure a healthy and productive life. 

The grant is awarded to programs that support a child’s growth and learning using developmentally appropriate practices. We are especially interested in programs that: • Increase the quality and availability of early education and care for children • Provide a foundation for lifelong development rooted in behavioral and physical health • Support parents and families in their roles as teachers, caregivers, and supporters of their children’s development

 • Provide training for teachers to increase their professional development

 • Improve effectiveness of services affecting young children and their families 

• Support in-home childcare programs to become licensed 

• Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the early childhood setting 

• Expand, remodel, or construct early learning facilities and classrooms necessary to support early learning opportunities All capital expenditures must be within the geographical limits of Boone County. 

All funds must support Boone County children ages 0-5 years. Grants may be awarded in amounts from $1,000 to $75,000. Grant awards will be announced in November. Allocated funds will be available for use in the calendar year (January – December). All grants are funded on a reimbursement basis. 

The last day to submit requests for reimbursement is January 31, 2024. Submit applications to Laura Pleiman, Boone County Director of Human Services, at lpleiman@boonecountyky.org by 4:00 PM, Thursday, September 15, 2022.

The Boone County Early Childhood Fund supports organizations working with Boone County children ages 0–5.  Current BCECF organizational partners include the Boone County Fiscal Court, Boone County Cooperative Extension District, Boone County Local Board of Health, Boone County Planning Commission, Boone County Public Library, Boone County and Walton-Verona school districts, City of Florence, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission, and EC Learn.  

Through both their participation in the Board’s work and financial support, these partners have declared, at an organizational level, the importance of quality education and experiences for children from birth through kindergarten within our community.  

As the successor to Boone County Success by 6, BCECF retains the mission and vision to prepare Boone County children socially, emotionally, physically, and academically to succeed. To accomplish this, the BCECF has allocated $297,000 over four grant cycles to community organizations. 

Among the many supported projects, BCECF grants have increased access to quality at-home learning for parents and preschool children through Brighton Center’s HIPPY Program, brought nature and STEM programming to early childhood care centers, aided in the construction of a new library at a local preschool, and secured top-of-the-line materials and professional development for early childhood educators.

 

Applications for calendar year 2023 open on August 1, 2022, and are due on September 15, 2022.  Grants may be awarded in amounts between $1,000 and $75,000, and the funds can be used for programmatic expenditures or capital purchases.