top of page

Frequently Asked Questions
-
When will SHINE Pre-Applications open?The Pre-Application opened on September 3, 2024, and closed on October 31, 2024. All providers who pre-applied have been notified of their status as of November 11, 2024.
-
How do I Pre-Apply?Pre-Applications are now closed as of October 31, 2024. We are no longer accepting new Pre-Applications, or edits to previously submitted Pre-Applications.
-
How are pre-applicants selected?Specific to our programming priority funding criteria, pre-applications are scored based on the priority criteria as determined by the information provided within your pre-application. The priority scores were determined by various factors* (project scope, children served, subsidy and/or quality desert locations, percentage of CCS enrollment, etc.) and then ranked in comparison to all pre-applications submitted. Due to limited funding, the pre-applications with the highest-ranking priority scores were selected to move to the next round and those not meeting the highest priority ranking were moved to our waitlist where they will remain on file should additional funding become available.
-
Does the selection of my pre-application mean that I will be awarded?No. The pre-application is the first step on the SHINE journey. Pre-applicants selected will move forward to the priority cohort and be partnered with a SHINE specialist to further assess operational sustainability, facility needs, refine project scope and prepare for SHINE Grant Committee reviews. The SHINE journey is a marathon, not a race.
-
What is the priority cohort?The priority cohort is comprised of the highest ranking Pre-Applicants based on the priority funding criteria. These providers will be partnered with an assigned SHINE specialist, where they will support the development of the project in preparation to complete a full grant application.
-
What type of grant awards are available?Renovation and Repair Grants for Child Care Homes (up to $40,000) Renovation and Repair Grants for small (licensed for up to 50 children) Child Care Centers (up to $200,000) Renovation and Repair Grants for large (licensed for more than 50 children) Child Care Centers (up to 400,000)
-
Is there a limit to the number of providers who will be selected?Grants are not on a first come, first served and will be awarded until funding has been exhausted. Our goal is to award the last recipient by March 2025.
-
When will grants be awarded?Our goal is to begin awarding grants January 2025 with the final recipient awarded by March 2025. Grant fund disbursements will be contingent on award amount, project scope of work and project completion timeline.
-
How will grant funds be provided?Funding will be disbursed electronically via ACH. For projects designated as "major construction" by the SHINE team, multiple payments will be required and disbursed based on the project's progress towards completion. For more information about fund disbursement, please see the 'Construction Monitoring' portion of section 1.4.2 of the Program Guidelines.
-
When must projects be completed?All projects must be completed by September 2026.
-
What is the difference between Small and Large Projects for SHINE CCFF funding?Projects with funding requests under $75,000 are considered Small Projects, while projects $75,000 or more are considered Large Projects.
-
My Pre-Application was put on the waitlist, what does this mean?Specific to our programming priority funding criteria, the decision to waitlist your pre-application is based on the priority score it received as determined by the information provided within your pre-application. The priority scores were determined by various factors* (project scope, children served, subsidy and/or quality desert locations, percentage of CCS enrollment, etc.) and then ranked in comparison to all pre-applications submitted. Due to limited funding, the pre-applications with the highest-ranking priority scores were selected to move to the next round and those not meeting the highest priority ranking were moved to our waitlist where they will remain on file should additionally funding become available.
-
My Pre-Application was deemed ineligible, what does this mean?For more information based on your specific Pre-Application, please reach out to the SHINE team at SHINE@voatx.org.
-
My Pre-Application was selected for the priority cohort, what are my next steps?Congratulations on reaching the next stage of the SHINE journey! Your assigned SHINE specialist will reach out to you to begin collaborating with you to offer the support necessary to move you through the rigorous next steps of the grant journey. Please make sure to monitor your email for communications from the SHINE team. If you have not received an email from your assigned SHINE team member, please reach out to SHINE@voatx.org.
Have more questions?


bottom of page