Before You Begin

The Bright Futures Fund (BFF) is the provider-grant component of GCDC’s countywide Bright Futures Childcare Initiative. It offers reimbursement-based grants of up to $5,000 per application to help Grant County childcare providers open, expand, and improve — supporting the providers who care for Grant County’s children, families, and workforce.

Who may apply

Licensed childcare centers
Licensed family or group daycares
Legally operating non-licensed in-home providers
Prospective providers preparing to open

What to have ready before you start

A description of your project and how the funds will be used
An estimated total cost, ideally backed by a written quote or estimate
Basic information about your program: capacity, enrollment, ages served, and hours of operation

Good to know

Grants are reimbursement-based — project costs must be pre-approved in writing by GCDC before they are incurred.
Round One (2026) has a $50,000 budget, supporting up to 10 awards.
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and available funding. Submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
Recipients must remain in operation for 12 months or the funds will have to be returned.
Priority consideration is given for projects that: create new infant and toddler slots; add slots for early start times; care past 5:30 p.m., other non-traditional schedules and weekends,

Ineligible Uses of Funds

Wages, payroll, bonuses, owner draws, or routine subsidies;
Food, utilities, rent, mortgage, or debt payments, or routine maintenance;
Fundraising, lobbying, political or religious activity, gifts, or personal household expenses.

Examples of Eligible Uses of Funds

Startup and expansion costs that create new childcare slots;
Projects that expand infant and toddler capacity;
Quality improvement investments, materials, and curriculum resources;
Safety upgrades and compliance driven facility improvements;
Equipment and capacity-building investments tied to an approved project;
One-time, capacity-building expenses that support the hiring or retention of additional childcare staff and expand or preserve childcare capacity, such as required training and certifications, eligible onboarding and background-check costs, recruitment expenses, classroom equipment and setup, and facility modifications.

Incomplete applications may be returned or held until all required information is received. Fields marked * are required.

Applicant Information

Tell us about your business or organization

Provider / Organization name *

Please enter the provider or organization name.

Type of childcare provider *

Please select a provider type.

Contact person — first name *

Please enter a first name.

Contact person — last name *

Please enter a last name.

Email *

Please enter a valid email address.

Phone

Street address *

Please enter a street address.

City *

Required.

State *

Required.

ZIP *

Required.

Licensing or registration number (if applicable)

Years in operation (if applicable)

Child Care Program Information

Details about the program this application supports

Facility / program name

Leave blank if same as provider/organization name above.

Program location

Leave blank if same as the address above.

Licensed capacity

Current enrollment

Ages served

# of employees

Hours / days of operation

Brief description of your childcare program

Funding Request

What you're asking for and why

Project / activity title *

Please give your project a short title.

Description of proposed project or use of funds *

Describe what you plan to purchase or improve.

Please describe the project.

Why is this funding needed?

How will this improve, expand, stabilize, or support childcare?

Expected number of children / families impacted

Expected completion timeline

Project Budget / Use of Funds *

List each item or expense and its estimated cost. Maximum $5,000 per application — award amounts are reimbursement-based and require written pre-approval from GCDC before costs are incurred.

Item / expenseAmount

Total requested $0

Please add at least one budget line, and keep the total at $5,000 or less.

Other Funding / Project Financing

If any other funds are involved in this project

Optional

If applicable, list any other funding sources supporting this project — applicant contribution, other grants, loans, or donations.

SourceTypeAmount

Total other funding $0

Project Impact

Tell us about the difference this project will make

What need does this project address?

How will it improve childcare availability, affordability, quality, or sustainability?

How many children or families will benefit?

Will childcare slots be created or retained?

Yes No

Will jobs be created or retained?

Yes No

Other anticipated community impact

Supporting Documentation

Attach these to your printed or emailed application

This application is submitted by print/mail or email (see Application Completion below), so please attach copies of the following with your application rather than uploading them here:

If available Project estimates or written quotes for the purchase(s) or improvement(s) described above
If applicable Proof of current licensing or registration
Optional Any other information that supports your request

Certification & Signature

Please review carefully before submitting

I certify that the information provided is accurate and that I will not incur project costs before receiving written pre-approval from GCDC.

I agree to the certification above *

Please check the certification box to continue.

Provider / organization name *

Required.

Authorized representative — name *

Required.

Title

Date *

Required.

Typed signature (type your full legal name) *

Please type your full legal name as your signature.

Typing your name above constitutes your electronic signature on this application. A handwritten signature line will also appear on the printed copy if you choose to print and mail your application.

Application Completion

Choose either way to submit your application, along with any supporting documentation:

Print and deliver: use the Print / Save as PDF button below, then mail or drop off your signed application at 1001 E 4th Ave, Milbank SD 57252.
Email: in the print dialog choose Save as PDF, then email the PDF and any supporting documents to grantcountydevelopment@gmail.com.

Questions? Call GCDC at 605-438-4232.

Complete all required fields, then check your application.