Austin SAVES Fund Launches With COVID-19 Relief Grants For Childcare Providers

AUSTIN, TX — The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces an extended grant program to support and sustain Austin childcare providers (both home-based and center-based) impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant is a $5 million fund that will provide grants up to $60,000 per site to cover eligible operating expenses for providers offering full-day childcare to ages five and under.
 
Eligible childcare providers must be able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with COVID-19 and must be located in a City of Austin Council district.

Providers that are Texas Rising Star certified, or demonstrate appointments scheduled to complete the Texas Rising Star accreditation assessment, or have National Accreditation are eligible to apply.

Providers that serve families receiving a Childcare Subsidy (CCS) and providers located in historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Visit www.ATXrecovers.com for additional eligibility requirements and required documentation.
 
“Ensuring childcare providers have the resources to remain open and serve local families is a critical part of our City’s ability to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” explains Veronica Briseño, Austin’s Chief Economic Recovery Officer. “Eligible childcare providers, whether operating a center-based or home-based program, can request up to $60,000 per site to cover immediate needs. These grant dollars can be applied to payroll, rent relief, operational costs, and other eligible COVID-19 related expenses.”
 
Applications will be accepted December 15, 2020, at 10:00 AM – January 15, 2021, at 5:00 PM at www.ATXrecovers.com
 
Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant

The Austin City Council established the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund through Ordinance No. 20201001-052 to support local industries.

Through the SAVES Fund, Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20201015-73 to designate $5 million for the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant to help support local childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The grant is designed to give immediate and equitably-focused one-time financial assistance to eligible licensed childcare centers or home providers (licensed or registered).

The community benefits achieved through this grant include job retention and maintaining high-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare for Austin’s workforce.   
 
All applications received by the January 15, 2021 deadline will be reviewed using a published grant estimator that includes criteria for need and equity.

This grant is not determined on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Austin childcare providers that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to prepare their answers and documentation in advance by reviewing the application, eligibility criteria, and required documentation at ATXrecovers.com prior to the application date.
 
As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, United Way for Greater Austin will accept and review all submitted applications. Additionally, consultation services and application assistance will be available to grant applicants.
 
Informational Webinar on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Register for the City of Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant Informational Webinar with United Way for Greater Austin
 
Application Opens:
Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 10:00 AM.
 
Application Closes:
Friday, January 15, 2021, at 5:00 PM.
 
For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact United Way for Greater Austin by email at ChildcareReliefGrant@uwatx.org or by phone at 512-225-0390.