Stronger Together - Early Learning Indiana

Shared Service Hubs to Support Early Care and Education Providers.

Learn More About Stronger Together Recipients

Congratulations to our Stronger Together grant recipients:

Geminus Corporation (Lake County)

United Way of Marshall County’s Early Childhood Coalition (Marshall County)

Early Childhood Alliance (Allen County)

Right Steps Child Development Centers (Tippecanoe County)

Community Foundation of Wabash County (Wabash County)

Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County’s Muncie By 5 (Delaware County)

Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (Monroe County)

Early care and education providers meet one of the greatest needs in our communities, yet balancing operational demands with what matters most – supporting the growth and development of our littlest learners – is a constant reality. The Stronger Together grant aims to help solve this.

Problem

In the best of times, early care and education providers operate with razor-thin margins as a result of the misalignment between the actual cost of providing care and the ability of families to afford it. The COVID-19 pandemic has added safety-related expenses while substantially eroding enrollment. These challenges threaten the future of Indiana’s early care and education system.

Solution

To support Indiana early care and education providers for the future, we need long-term solutions, not short-term fixes. Early Learning Indiana, with generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc, is supporting organizations with the development of regional shared service hubs that will help sustain providers, influence the affordability of care and enable providers to focus their scarce time and resources on the business of learning.

Grant Details

Stronger Together grants are intended to seed the creation of regional shared service offerings that provide economies of scale for providers’ operating expenses and allow them to focus their energy on providing high-quality care.

Eligible organizations may submit a proposal for up to $100,000 to launch their shared service hub.

Early Learning Indiana has partnered with Opportunities Exchange to provide technical assistance to all awarded organizations.

Timeline

December

Grant fund announced

January

Shared services webinar

Mid-January

RFP opens Jan. 21

March

Proposals due March 19

April

Awards announced

Eligibility

Applicants must be a tax-exempt nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Indiana.

Technical Support

Technical support for all grantees provided by Opportunities Exchange.

Resources

Stronger Together Webinar
Promising Practices

Check out this video from Early Learning Indiana and Opportunities Exchange to learn about successful shared service hubs nationwide and consider promising practices that could be applied in your community.

Stronger Together Webinar
RFP Walkthrough

Watch this video from Early Learning Indiana and Opportunities Exchange to learn about the requirements and individual components of Stronger Together proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the Stronger Together grant?

The Stronger Together grant awards eligible organizations up to $100,000 to create regional shared service hubs that provide economies of scale for providers’ operating expenses and allow them to focus their energy on providing high-quality care.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the Stronger Together grant?

Please email natalieb@earlylearningindiana.org with questions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be a tax-exempt nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Indiana.

Are there supports offered to grantees?

Opportunities Exchange will provide all grantees with technical support throughout the launch of their shared service hub.

Application

How do we apply?

This opportunity is closed. Learn more about the recipients of Stonger Together grants here.

What information is available to applicants as they write their proposals?

See Resources for Applicants section above for helpful resources.

Where can we find information on current access to child care in our community?

Indiana’s Child Care Resource and Referral Network can provide community leaders with information about their community’s access to child care. Find your local agency.

Is there a template for the proposal?

Proposals must meet the requirements specified in the RFP, including the submission of a budget. A budget sample is available in the Resources for Applicants section above, although it is not required that applicants use this as a template.

What are allowable expenses for the proposal?

Grant funds must be used to cover costs related to the implementation of a shared service model. Examples of allowable expenses include one-time startup costs, a technology solution, initial operating expenses and implementation-related consulting services. Awardees may request uses outside those described, but they are subject to declination. Funds may not be used for direct programming.

Is there technical assistance available to applicants?

Yes, Early Learning Indiana is providing informational webinars to support applicants. Please send additional requests for technical assistance to natalieb@earlylearningindiana.org.

Timing

How long will applicants have to complete their proposal after the RFP is released?

Interested and eligible organizations should apply by March 19 to be considered for funding.

When will awards be announced?

Early Learning Indiana will notify successful applicants in April 2021.

How long will grantees have to launch their shared service hub?

Stronger Together awardees will have 12 months to establish and launch their shared service hub.