The Child Care Innovation Fund: An initiative to reimagine child care and accelerate impact.
Michigan’s child care sector is in crisis — and new business and financing models for early childhood providers are crucial for supporting both Michigan families and our economy.
With the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC)’s Child Care Innovation Fund, common-sense business and financing solutions are available for child care.
The current situation
44%
of Michiganders live in a child care desert, where there are more than 3 children per every available licensed child care space.1
1%
of the child care workforce earns enough to support the average family size in Michigan (one adult, one preschooler, one school-aged child).2
-$2.88 Billion
cost to Michigan in lost economic activity each year due to insufficient child care availability.3
Innovative Solutions
Current Projects
Learn more about the important, innovative work currently underway in support of the Child Care Innovation Fund’s priorities.
Competitive Funding Opportunities
ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund is now accepting applications to award funding to two Family Child Care Network (FCCN) Hubs to expand statewide coverage in the following regions:
- Southeastern Region: Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties
- Northwestern Region: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties
The goal of this investment is to increase the number of licensed home-based child care programs across Michigan and to strengthen Family Child Care Networks in providing high-quality services and small business supports to home-based providers.
Eligible Applicants:
Organizations that meet the IRS definition of a non-profit (not limited to 501(c)(3)). Individual child care providers and businesses are not eligible to apply.
Key Dates:
- Applications Open: November 17, 2025
- Applications Due: December 15, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. EST
Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar:
View the slides and recording of the Pre-Application Technical Assistance Webinar to learn more about the RFP, application questions, requirements, and scoring rubric.
Application Information:
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions regarding this competitive funding announcement may be directed via email to technicalassistance@ecic4kids.org.
The Family Child Care Networks project is supported through a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).
Our Impact
Access reports, webinars, and other resources developed by the Child Care Innovation Fund.
Access a complete list of investments made since the Fund’s founding.
Our priorities to propel change
The Child Care Innovation Fund’s five priority areas are designed to benefit employers, working families, child care business owners and early educators.
Create Synergy Between the Economic and Child Care Sectors
Advance child care as essential community infrastructure for economic growth and development, business productivity, and school readiness.
Improve Compensation and On-the-Job Supports
Improve the wages, benefits, on-the-job supports, and professional learning early educators need to help children learn.
Build Supply
Accelerate the start-up and expansion of licensed child care businesses in areas with more than three children under age five for every licensed child care slot.
Collaborate With Employers
Collaborate on child care solutions with employers to improve the productivity, recruitment, and retention of their working families.
Strengthen Child Care Businesses
Increase the economic viability and sustainability of child care businesses.
Contact Us
Joan Blough
Senior Director, Child Care Innovation Fund