General Grant Instructions

• Submit Part A Application

• Complete Readiness Assessment
  

• Receive determination for “Pre-Approval” for Facility Improvement Project

• Once applicant receives “Pre-Approval”, pair with an Architecture & Engineering TA provider to work on a Construction Plan
  

• Create and submit Construction Plan to NORA for approval

• Execute Grant Agreement

• Secure any necessary permits

• Proceed to construction

• SEED: Grants up to $50,000 are available for minor construction activities related to an existing facility

• SUPPORT: Grants up to $100,000 are available for minor or major construction activities related to an existing facility

Total grant funds awarded for construction will follow the general guidelines below for per-seat investments. NORA staff will recommend grant award amounts to individual applicants based on the per-seat investment guidelines and the content of the applicant’s application. NORA reserves the right to recommend or award grant amounts that vary from the per-seat investment guidelines based on funding availability, applicant need, community impact, or other factors: 

Type III Child Care Centers

• Approximately $2,000 max grant award per existing seat (based upon existing licensed capacity)

• Approximately $5,000 max grant award per new seat created (based on net increase in licensed capacity)

Family Child Care Providers 

• $50,000 total max grant award (approximately $8,500 max grant award per existing seat)

Grantees are expected to invest or attract additional capital as leverage for any grant-funded construction project. Grantees may provide their own equity or debt provided by a lender as a match. Landlords may also provide investment match on behalf of a lessee. The required match level is:

• 5% of construction costs for Seed Grants

(up to $2,500 on a maximum grant of $50,000)

• 10% of construction costs for Support Grants

(up to $10,000 on a maximum grant of $100,000)

Grant match is not required for design or business technical assistance provided through the grant program.

Grantees shall agree to operate, or continue to operate, an Early Childhood Education facility meeting program terms outlined in the grant agreement for a minimum of 2 years for Seed Grants and 5 years for Support Grants, from the completion of fund disbursement. Grant funds will be forgivable, and subject to recapture, on a prorated basis:

• Seed Grants at 50% per year for two years

• Support Grants at 20% per year for five years
  

• Current Type III Child Care Centers licensed by the Louisiana Department of Education to operate in Orleans Parish or those with the intent to apply for a license to operate a Type III commercial early childhood education facility located in Orleans Parish with demonstrated experience in early childhood education; 

-OR- 

• Current Family Child Care Centers with academic approval in Orleans Parish (grantees must opt in to academic approval for the duration of the grant compliance and recapture period) 

-OR- 

• Developers or property owners with an existing or planned Type III Child Care Center may apply if they identify an eligible co-applicant, who is a current or new Type III child care provider 

In addition, eligible applicants must adhere to all of following requirements: 

• Applicants must serve children from six weeks through age 3;

• Applicants must apply for subsidized seats administered by Agenda for Children or other authorized agencies;

• Applicants must be in good standing with the State of Louisiana, City of New Orleans, and all other applicable entities to ensure the business is in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and operations;

• Applicants must be free of any pending Louisiana Department of Education investigations or legal actions that call into question the applicant’s capacity to care for children in a manner that ensures their safety, including, but not limited to documented repetitive and/or serious violations;

• Applicants that are currently licensed through the Louisiana Department of Education must resolve outstanding violations prior to execution of the grant agreement;

Eligible project sites must adhere to the following:

• Located within Orleans Parish

• Appropriately zoned for the type of center operated or proposed, or legally non-conforming as determined by the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits;

• Type III Early Learning Centers that are, or will be, owned or leased by the eligible applicant/organization at the time of application;

• If the site is leased, the lease must be recorded with the Land Records Division of the Office of the Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans and have a term that matches or exceeds the grant monitoring period, which shall not be less than 2 years regardless of grant scale. Leased sites will require proof of the owner’s approval of work being performed.

• Family Child Care providers with academic approval that are owned, occupied, and operated by the applicant/provider.

Eligible Grant Expenses include:

• Playgrounds, shade structures or permanently installed outdoor play equipment
• Fencing
• Interior improvements, such as painting, wall demo or installation
• Façade or entrance renovation
• Bathroom or kitchen remodel
• Window, flooring, doors
• Fortified roofs, storm water management improvements
• Ramps or other ADA improvements

Ineligible Grant Expenses include: 

• Property acquisition
  
• Extraordinary costs required for retrofitting (e.g., underpinning and excavation)
  
• Vehicle or transportation expenses
  
• Business or working capital
  
• Indirect or administrative costs
  
• Professional development
  
• Day-to-day operating costs such as salaries, rent and food purchases
  
• Non-permanent supplies (e.g., art materials) and other consumable materials such as paint, cleaning supplies, paper, etc.
  
• Repayment of loans or reimbursement of any otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to the execution of the Grant Agreement
  
• Any expense that does not support increasing quality or quantity of infant and toddler seats
• Technology
• Movable items such as furniture or appliances
• Any expenses deemed ineligible by NORA Staff

• Application Form
• Site Control
  • Act of Cash Sale or other proof of ownership
  • Copy of executed lease, deed of trust, or other applicable documents showing site control
• For leased properties, written approval from property owner for renovation or construction work to be done
• Last two(2) years of Tax Returns (2023 and 2024)
• Project Sources and Uses of Funds
  • A project budget including all sources and uses of funding allocated to renovation or development of the site, including proposed grant funding
• Proof of Matching Funds/Applicant Contribution
  • Bank statement, line of credit, or other documentation confirming applicant access to matching funds
• 2 bids for construction cost – all bids must be signed and include the contact information (name, address, and phone number) ad license of professional certification number (contractors must be licensed in the State of Louisiana and if they have employees, must carry Workers Compensation)
• Construction timeline
• Plan for continuous childcare operations during construction (if applicable)