Early Learning Facilities grants for Public School Districts And Tribal Compact Schools

Overview

• Type

  Grant

• Title

  Early Learning Facilities grants for Public School Districts And Tribal Compact Schools

• Source

  WA Department of Commerce

• Federal or State

  State

• Total Amount

  $69,000,000

• Number of Awards

  Unspecified

• Award Range

  $20,000 - $51,000,000

• Cost Share

  No

• Status

  Active

Topics

Buildings & Infrastructure

Energy Efficiency

Resilience

Eligibility

• Audience

  Education, Local Government, State Agencies, Tribes

• Sector

  Buildings & Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, Resilience

• Activity

  Education & Outreach, Financial Help

• Eligibility

  Eligible Entities:

  • Washington Public School Districts

  • Tribal Compact Schools

  Eligible Activities

  An Early Learning Facility project may be:

  • New construction of an entire facility, a phase of a facility, classroom, a unit or wing of a facility, a floor in a building, or any sub-compartment of a commercial building where early learning services are provided

  • Renovation of an entire facility, a phase of a facility, a classroom, a unit or wing of a facility, a floor in a building, or any sub-compartment of a commercial building where early learning services are provided

  • Acquisition/purchase of a facility or land on which improvements are made to meet DCYF licensing standards or approved equivalent.

• Location

  WA

Application Process

• Application Link

  Apply Now

• Pre-Application?

  No

• Requirements

  • Pre-design and pre-development are not eligible projects for this funding round.

  • Matching funds are not required, but a goal of the program is for applicants to contribute non-grant dollars to the project. Non-grant funds documented on the application will be contractually required if the project is selected for funding.

  • Awardees must become and/or maintain licensure under the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or be certified or certified for payment only under DCYF

Important Dates

• Application Open Date

  Apr 1, 2026

• Application Close Date

  May 30, 2026

• Application Close Time

  11:59 PM PST

• Period of Performance Start

  Aug 1, 2027

• Period of Performance End

  Jun 20, 2029

• Publish Date

  Apr 1, 2026

Resources & Contacts

• Contact

  Early Learning Facilities Program email: earlylearningfacilities@commerce.wa.gov

• Resources

  Program Materials

  • Notice of Funding Opportunity/NOFO (PDF)
  • Program Guidelines (PDF)
  • Eligible and Ineligible Costs (PDF)
  • Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  • WA Department of Commerce Early Learning Facilities website

  Kickoff Webinars

  • Public School Districts: Wednesday March 25, 2026, 10:00AM PT (those without reliable internet may call in by phone: 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID: 336581461#)
  • Tribal Compact Schools: Wednesday March 25, 2026, 1:00PM PT (those without reliable internet may call in by phone: 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID: 970032834#)

  Office Hours

  • Public School Districts: Wednesday May 13, 2026, 1:00PM PT (those without reliable internet may call in by phone: 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID: 419404711#)
  • Public School Districts: Wednesday May 13, 2026, 5:00PM PT (those without reliable internet may call in by phone: 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID: 932987810#)

  • Tribal Compact Schools: Thursday May 14, 2026, 1:00 PT (those without reliable internet may call in by phone: 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID: 805119587#)
  • Tribal Compact Schools: Thursday May 14, 2026, 5:00 PT (those without reliable internet may call in by phone: 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID: 932987810#)