WBC Childcare Accelerator Award Program

Posting Date: May 27, 2025     Deadline: June 6, 2025

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About:

The Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC), in partnership with Stearns Bank, is pleased to announce the launch of the WBC Childcare Accelerator Award Program for Licensed Childcare Providers. 

This opportunity will award seven Women’s Business Centers with $25,000 each to run targeted childcare business accelerator programs for licensed providers.

These programs aim to support up to 10 existing childcare businesses per awarded center, assisting the businesses to scale operations, expand services, and improve sustainability.

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Award Details:

Award Maximum: $25,000

Performance period: June 16, 2025 - October 16, 2025

Eligible Entities: AWBC members (WBCs) in good standing with existing childcare accelerator programsing and a strong record of serving childcare businesses

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Program Objectives:

  • Strengthen existing childcare businesses through tailored accelerator support provided by Women’s Business Centers.
  • Distribute $10,000 awards to up to 10 businesses per WBC, contingent on completing key program milestones as outlined by the WBC in accordance with award deliverables below.
  • Promote financial best practices via integration with Stearns Bank and Autobooks tools.
  • Address known challenges in the childcare sector: business growth capital, staffing, compliance, and sustainable growth.

Expectations

WBC Requirements

Each WBC awardee will agree to the following deliverables and terms:

Licensed Childcare Business Requirements

Each childcare participant should meet the following requirements:

  • Deliver a childcare accelerator program designed by the WBC for existing childcare providers.
  • Accelerator program must focus on one or more of the following goals per participant: Jobs created, Childcare slots created, Certifications achieved, Childcare staff benefits added, Facility physical expansion
  • Recruit and graduate up to 10 existing childcare businesses (home or center-based, non-franchise) that meet the below eligibility criteria
  • Ensure all enrolled participants of the accelerator program complete the AWBC-issued pre-and-post program data collection survey
  • Business is an established and licensed childcare provider in accordance with the participants local, state and federal requirements
  • The business has an annual gross revenue of less than $2,000,000
  • The business meets all requirements set forth by the awarded WBC to complete the WBC accelerator

Questions? Join AWBC For an Information Session

June 2, 2025, 2pm ET/11am PT

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Payment Terms:

Awarded WBCs will receive half of the award amount ($12,500) upon executed award agreement and the remaining half ($12,500) upon completion of the accelerator program, assuming all terms of the award have been met. 

Up to 10 participating childcare businesses per awarded WBC are eligible for a $10,000 small business grant provided by Stearns Bank upon completion of the following parameters

  • Completion of the childcare accelerator programming in accordance with the program requirements set forth by the issuing Women’s Business Center
  • Opening of a no-cost business checking account at Stearns Bank
  • Completion of a demonstration of the Autobooks software with Stearns Bank (no obligation to purchase)
  • Completion of the pre-and-post data survey issued by AWBC
APPLY HERE