The Early Achievers Needs-Based Grant is available to support early learning programs participating in Early Achievers to assist with purchasing curriculum development, instructional materials, supplies, focused infant-toddler items, environmental improvements, and equipment to improve program quality.
The Needs-Based Grant application is available each state fiscal year. The grant application opens each year within the first week of July and remains open until all funds have been depleted. Grants are awarded to eligible programs on a first-come, first-served basis. A provider may apply for a Needs-Based Grant one time each state fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, a provider must be participating in Early Achievers.
Early Achievers participants may be eligible for a grant if they meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Are enrolled in the Tier 1 USDA food program
- Are located within a school district that serves at least 20% low-income children based on Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) data*
*To determine if a school district is eligible, visit the Washington Public School Data for Area Eligibility Data Report on the OSPI website. Please note that DCYF uses the percentage for the whole school district, not the individual school.
Applying for this grant does not guarantee that an eligible provider will receive an award.
To receive an Early Achievers Needs-Based Grant award, eligible providers must have an open and active Statewide Vendor (SWV) number with an address that matches either their mailing address or physical address in WA Compass. Get more information about the Statewide Vendor Registration process.
DCYF Early Achievers Needs-Based Grant Manual
Get more information about eligibility criteria and prioritization:
How much can a provider apply for?
All Needs-Based Grant awards are for $1,000.
While the application for this grant is open, applications will be reviewed for completion and payments will be sent out as we approve them. The Needs-Based Grant application period will close when DCYF has depleted all the available funds.
A program may receive one Needs-Based Grant each state fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
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How does a provider apply?
Providers log in to the WA Compass Provider Portal, navigate to the Early Achievers tab, and select the new NBG application button. At this time, the 2024-25 Needs-Based Grant is closed, and the WA Compass Provider Portal will no longer be accepting applications. The grant is closed until July 1, 2025, at which time WA Compass will begin accepting new applications for the 2025-26 Needs-Based Grant.
Where can a provider find assistance?
If you need technical assistance, including assistance in your language, guidance with preparing for and accessing the application, or have questions on spending and saving receipts/documentation, you can contact your Early Achievers Coach. If you don’t know who your coach is, call your regional Child Care Aware office:
Child Care Aware Regional Offices
Child Care Aware of Central Washington: 877-965-7109
Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington: 800-446-2229
Child Care Aware of King County: 206-329-1011
Child Care Aware of Pierce County: 253-272-8000
Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington: 360-734-8396
Child Care Aware of the Olympic Peninsula: 360-786-8907
Child Care Aware of Southwest Washington: 360-237-3358
For questions about grant eligibility/spending, email dcyf.needsbasedgrants@dcyf.wa.gov.
For questions about WA Compass access, email dcyf.providerportal@dcyf.wa.gov.
For questions about your SWV number, email dcyf.statewidevendorregistration@dcyf.wa.gov.