Early Childcare Initiative Grants

Early Childcare Initiative Grant Application:

The purpose of the Early Childcare Initiative Grant is to fund identified community needs. Consideration will be given to requests that align with the mission of the Salina Area United Way. The mission of the Salina Area United Way (SAUW) is to Strengthen Our Community. Our priority areas and community goals are:

Health: To increase the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoiding risky behavior

Education: To raise the graduation rate

Financial Stability: To reduce the number of families who are financially unstable

Funding:

Total funds available for Early Childcare Initiative Grants will be determined annually by the Salina Area United Way Board of Directors. SAUW cannot meet every community need. An organization may only receive the Early Childcare Initiative Grant once within 12 months. Exceptions may be made in cases when the organization requesting funding serves as the fiscal agent for another organization. Due to limited funding, partial grants may be awarded.

Funding is to be used to supplement the wage gap, bumping the hourly rate up as close to $15 per hour (Teachers' Assistants) and $18 per hour (Lead Teachers) as possible. Salina Area United Way staff and volunteers will review and evaluate all funding requests. The decision-making and approval process can take up to 45 days. A lack of required information or an incomplete application will result in no funding.

Deadline:

The deadline for the Early Childcare Initiative Grant application is on February 16, 2024 at noon (CST).

Grant Application:

You can find the Early Childcare Initiative Grant Application HERE.