City of Irvine
Childcare Provider Relief Program

Applications Are Now Being Accepted

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The City of Irvine Childcare Provider Relief Program will distribute $540,000 aimed at assisting local childcare businesses and nonprofits that have been affected by COVID-19. The funding, which originated as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), H.R. 3191, will aid those childcare-related businesses that need assistance in recovering from the pandemic.

This Grant funding will be allocated throughout the City of Irvine, in the County of Orange, to eligible applicants who meet the qualifications, provide the requested documentation, agree to the terms of funding, and provide receipts for eligible expenses, until the funding is expended.

Step One:

Applicants must complete the application in full, including uploading all of the requested documentation. This funding is first-come, first-served, so please take the time to ensure that your application and documentation is accurate and complete. Incomplete applications will be moved to the end of the line for verification, if funding is available.

When you submit your application, an immediate screen notification will pop-up to show that your application has been received.

Step Two:

Verification of all applications is thorough and takes time. You will be notified, at the email address you provide in your application, if you have qualified for the award or are disqualified as soon as possible. Funding distribution will be released quarterly in 2023. Approved awardees will receive detailed information about when to expect the funding with their approval email.

If you have questions, please contact IrvineRelief@charitableventuresoc.org or by phone at (714) 597-6630 x134. (Available 8am – 5pm, M-F – except holidays)

MAIN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Recipients’ business must be located within the geographical boundaries of the City of Irvine, County of Orange
Recipients must have been in operation since March 13, 2020, and be open for business at the time of application
Recipients must have 25 or less FTE employees
Recipients must not be at imminent risk of closure or bankruptcy, as determined by financial documents
Recipients must have been affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency, including a reduction in revenue, layoffs, or voluntary and involuntary forced closures
Recipients must possess a valid childcare license issued by the State of California from Community Care Licensing
Recipients may have received prior relief funding, but may not receive an award for the same expenses

PROGRAMS NOT ELIGIBLE:

School district programs funded by the Department of Education
Family, Friend, and Neighbor license-exempt childcare providers
Programs that are principally engaged in the teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs

FUNDING DISTRIBUTION:

The business or nonprofit applicant must identify that their business has been affected by COVID-19. The funding amount of $540,000 is to be allocated as $5000 awards to:

Home Childcare Providers: Qualified licensed large & small family child-care home providers
Center-Based Childcare Providers: Qualified non-government contracted, licensed center-based programs and partially funded government contracted licensed centers

Awardees will receive the approved funding in one ACH disbursement.

USE OF FUNDING:

Awards are based on eligible reimbursable expenses. Businesses and nonprofits must be able to show proof of how funds were spent to qualify. The applicant must show proof of purchases through an invoice with proof of payment such as a bank statement or cancelled check (front/back) and will highlight and upload the documents as part of the application process.

The Grant must be used on current or past expenses from January 1, 2022 – current to support providing childcare services in the City of Irvine, such as classroom supplies, technology, computers, printers and/or scanners, PPE equipment, payroll and rental assistance (but not mortgage). Receipts and/or documentation must be uploaded in the application prior to funding approval.

Accepted receipts include, but are not limited to:

General ledger/expense transaction report
Payroll register or labor distribution report
Payroll allocation plan
Personnel documentation
Invoices, and receipts (with highlighted expenses)
Check register
Bank statements
Paper receipts from a big box store (with highlighted expenses)

For details on allowable expenses and documentation, please click here.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:

You will be asked to provide the following documentation and information in the application to be considered for funding:

Signed W-9 form (learn more). A 1099 will be issued by January 30, 2024 to all awardees, in the amount of the total award
2021 and 2022 full Federal Tax Return OR 2021 and 2022 CPA issued Financial Statements (including a Balance Sheet, Income Statements and Statement of Cash Flow)
Valid CA Childcare License from Community Care Licensing, or a business statement of information if a license-exempt provider
Payroll Register (Center-Based Businesses)
501(c) Determination Letter (for nonprofits)
Receipts up to or over $5000 for expenses, as shown under Use of Funding
Bank Routing Information (Bank name, name on account, account type (checking or savings), account number and routing number – to be uploaded through our secure site)

APPLICATION PERIOD:

Application will be available as of Monday, April 3rd at 9:00 am. The application portal will remain open until all funds have been expended.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Please read the above eligibility requirements, in its entirety, prior to completing the application. Incomplete applications will be moved to the end of the line for verification, if funding is available.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is grant application information available in other languages?

At the top of the webpage, there is a language selection available in the following languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.

If I have questions that are not included on the website, who can I email?

Please email questions regarding the grant application and process to IrvineRelief@charitableventuresoc.org or call (714) 597-6630 x134. A response will be provided within 1-3 business days.

How will I know if my application was received?

Upon submission, you will see a confirmation page confirming that your application was successfully submitted. You will also receive email confirmation approximately 24-48 hours after submission at the email address listed in your application. Please be sure to double-check your email address before submitting to ensure that you receive further communications.

Please note, depending, on the initial volume of applicants, the system might temporarily show your application as “sending.” Please be patient – our system will accept your submission in the order received.

What geographic areas are eligible for funding?

To be eligible for funding the childcare program/business/organization must be providing childcare services in the City of Irvine.

I am a provider who lives in Irvine and I provide services in a different city, is my program eligible for funding?

No, your program must be located in and providing services in City of Irvine.

Who is not eligible for funding?

School district programs funded by the Department of Education.
Family, Friend, and Neighbor license-exempt childcare providers.
Any program that has 26 or more employees.
Any programs that are operating outside the City of Irvine.

I am a Family, Friend, Neighbor (FFN) license-exempt provider. Am I eligible to apply?

No, FFN license-exempt providers are not eligible for this grant funding.

Are faith-based programs eligible for grant funding?

Faith based childcare programs are eligible but must use funding only directly on childcare related expenses. Funds may not be used to pay for religious activity. Funds may not be used for payroll or rent/mortgage expenses.

The application is asking for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), what is this?

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) also known as the Federal Employer Identification Number, or the Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN) is a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to business entities operating in the United States for the purposes of identification.

What if I do not have an EIN?

If you do not have an EIN then enter your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in the application section below the request for an EIN.

What can I use the grant funds to pay for?

For information about expenses and receipts, please click here.

Can I use the award to pay for expenses earlier in the year?

I have no employees can I use the grant to pay my salary?

No, owner’s salary are not permissible expenses.

I am a home day care provider. Can I use the funds to pay my mortgage?

No, home mortgages are not permissible expenses.

Will I have to pay taxes on the grant funding I receive?

Yes. Grantees will receive a Form 1099 from Charitable Ventures by January 2024. We cannot provide tax advice and it is recommended that applicants seek financial counsel from an attorney or tax professional prior to applying for this grant if needed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For additional information, please email IrvineRelief@charitableventuresoc.org or call (714) 597-6630 x134. (Available 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday – except holidays)

Thank you for your interest in the City of Irvine Childcare Provider Relief Program.

APPLICATION:

ABOUT US:

This Relief Program is being administered by Charitable Ventures with partnership support and resources being provided by First Five Orange County.

City of Irvine Childcare Provider Relief Program