Hundreds of Child Care Programs Across the State Vie for New Grant to Improve Playgrounds

Jul 12, 2017 | Grants, Innovation

Announcement: Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures Grant

In January of 2017, we announced a $1.2 million grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to improve the quality of outdoor learning environments in early childhood settings and created a new grant titled Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures. One of the major goals of the grant opportunity is to encourage active, outdoor play, which researchers show boosts children’s learning and healthy development. In the first round, we awarded $158,000.

“We are thrilled to have successfully completed the very first round of Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures and were able to award 14 grants to programs across the state,” said Shannon Hall, Director of Scholarships and Grants. “These grants will make a difference in the everyday lives of thousands of Colorado children.” Hillary Fulton, Senior Program Officer for Healthy Living at the Colorado Health Foundation, was excited to see that applications were received from 42 counties across Colorado from a wide range of early childhood settings including non-profit, for-profit, family child care homes, Head Start, and school district preschools.

Funding requests ranged from the replacement of playground equipment to funds for basic health and safety improvements. Paige Thompson, a grantee in Phillips County and Director of Bullpup Preschool is eager to enhance their outdoor play space. “Our playground surface has deteriorated and is unsafe for our children to play on,” she said. “Because of the generosity from the Colorado Health Foundation, we will be able to replace our surface and provide a safe outdoor environment where every child can learn, play, and succeed!”

Applications for the Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures grant will be accepted two additional times in 2017 and multiple times in 2018. Please register for a technical assistance webinar about the grant application process or contact us for additional information.