City of Irvine
Childcare Provider Relief Program

Application Portal Opens Monday, April 3rd at 9:00am

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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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 must provide a valid City of Irvine Business License
  • 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)

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:

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

  • Valid City of Irvine Business License
  • 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 or Form 990 (for nonprofits)
  • 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:

Grant Application Questions

Question 1...

Answer 1…

Eligibility for Grant Funding

Question 2...

Answer 2…

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.