Survive and Thrive

View the list of Survive and Thrive Awardees.

Boulder County also awarded a total of $210,000 in Survive and Thrive funding to Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers. Each of the 42 FFNs received a one-time grant of $5,000 in recognition of their vital role in supporting local families.

The application for Survive and Thrive is now closed, and applicants have been notified of their selection.

Program Overview

Question: How much funding can I receive from the Survive and Thrive program?

Answer: Funding amounts for the Survive and Thrive program have been updated. This was because of the strong interest we received in the program, as well as our commitment to distribute the available resources fairly.

We received more applications than anticipated in our “Nonprofit” category, allowing us to support more organizations with smaller funding amounts. In our “Child Care” category, fewer applications meant we were able to offer more money to providers.

Depending on the type of provider you are, the funding amounts are different. The general funding ranges are as follows:

• Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers may qualify for $5,000- $6,000.
• Licensed child care providers may qualify for amounts ranging from $13,000 to $75,000.
• Nonprofit organizations may qualify for amounts ranging from $25,000 to $105,000.

The final amounts of money received were different for everyone. It depended on your organization or service, as well as your application.

Question: How will the funding be disbursed, and is there a deadline for spending it?

Answer: There is no deadline for when the funds must be spent, but they must be used for pandemic-related recovery efforts, which can include addressing current impacts as well as lingering effects from 2020/2021. Funding is provided up front, not on a reimbursement basis.

Question: How is the funding or grant amount determined, and can we choose the amount we request?

Answer: The amount of funding awarded is based on various factors, including the negative impact experienced due to the pandemic, the population served, and the services provided. Applicants cannot select a specific amount to apply for; the amount awarded will be determined by the details shared in the application.

Question: How can we use the money from this program? Are there restrictions?

Answer: Funding provided by Survive and Thrive must be used to address negative economic impacts from the pandemic. This includes serving individuals impacted by the pandemic, or supporting your organization’s recovery efforts. You can use the funds for expenses such as salaries, operational costs, or other pandemic-related needs. Boulder County reserves the right to request additional information about how funds are spent at any time. It is strongly recommended that thorough records be kept of how the funds from Survive and Thrive are used.

Program Application

Question: If my application is approved for funding, when will the money be distributed?

Answer: Funding will be distributed to selected nonprofits and child care providers in spring 2025. You will receive further instructions once your application is approved.

Question: Will organizations that receive money from this program be required to pay it back?

Answer: No, Survive and Thrive grants are not a loan and do not need to be repaid. These funds are a one-time grant. Organizations are advised to consult a tax professional if they have questions about the financial impact of applying. Awarded funds that are misappropriated, received through fraud, or used for expenses already covered by other federal, state, or local programs may be subject to repayment.

Boulder County Invests in Community Recovery

In August 2022, the Boulder County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) approved a $7.5 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support small businesses child care providers, and nonprofit agencies through the Survive and Thrive Grants program.

Addressing community needs following extensive community engagement:

Boulder County identified the challenges faced by these sectors as a major concern during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Survive and Thrive Grants will provide critical funding to help these organizations continue their vital work and recover from the pandemic’s economic impact.

Funding from The Survive and Thrive Business Grants will be available to child care providers in Boulder County including Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers who typically are not eligible for grants and nonprofit agencies.

FFNs are essential to the community’s well-being by offering affordable early childhood education and support working parents. Child care small businesses provide that unique support for families who need affordable care in the early childhood education (ECE) ecosystem. These providers include grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors, and other caregivers who are home-based and working outside of the formal child care system.

Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in addressing community needs, providing essential services such as food assistance, support programs, and resource connections.

The Survive and Thrive Grants will prioritize organizations that serve marginalized communities and have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic

By investing in these vital sectors, Boulder County aims to strengthen the community’s resilience and ensure a sustainable recovery.