Early Learning Indiana awards second round of grants

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) – Early Learning Indiana in Indianapolis has awarded more than $2.6 million to 191 early child care and education providers throughout the state. The organization says the second round of funding will help recipients with safety-related expenses for COVID-19.

The grant comes from the $15 million Come Back Stronger Fund from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. to strengthen the state’s supply of early learning opportunities.

The organization says the second round of funding brings total grants awarded to over $5 million. IIB reported the first round of grant funding earlier this month.

“It’s estimated that nearly one-third of our state’s child care providers made the difficult decision to close their doors when the pandemic first hit. Now as many of them re-open to serve families who need quality care in order to go back to work, safety is of utmost importance. We’re excited to see how providers use their grants to increase health and safety measures and expand to serve more families who need care,” said Early Learning Indiana President and CEO Maureen Weber.

Grants are of varying amounts up to $40,000 based on enrollment and the percentage of children served who receive federal Child Care and Development Fund or On My Way Pre-K assistance from the state of Indiana.

Awardees include 311 Learning Academy in Indianapolis, AppleTree Learning Center in South Bend and Central Child Care in Evansville. Click here for a map of all grantees.