Funding and Support Available for Early Learning Providers In Pittsburgh

Child care providers in the City of Pittsburgh can now receive financial and technical support. Available through June 2022, these supports are being offered as part of the economic recovery efforts associated with COVID-19. These supports include: forgivable loans, grants, educational training, technical assistance, and a tailored shared services pilot. To learn more about applying for these supports, child care providers may read the details listed below.

Post updated November 28, 2022.

Childcare Reinvestment Business Fund (CRiB)

The Childcare Reinvestment Business Fund (CRiB) is a forgivable loan pilot program. These new CRiB loans will assist new and existing child care businesses in the City of Pittsburgh. Capital, payroll, professional development, enrollment scholarships, software, supplies, and leasehold improvement costs may be covered by these loans. The Chatham University Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship will also provide technical assistance to providers who receive a CRiB loan. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh with funding from The PNC Foundation is providing the CRiB loans.

To apply (PDF) and learn more about CRiBs loans, review the program guidelines (PDF) and flyer (PDF) at investpgh.org. For questions about CRiB loans, call 412.255.6622 or email lmorris@ura.org.

Child Care Quality Fund (CCQF)

Licensed child care programs located within the City of Pittsburgh may apply for grants through the Child Care Quality Fund (CCQF). The CCQF grants aim to increase the availability of high-quality early learning programs in Pittsburgh by providing funding to support facilities and/or program improvements. Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 and Trying Together will provide assistance and manage the application process.

All CCQF grants have been administered, and applications are no longer being taken. For questions, please email grants@tryingtogether.org.

Shared Services Pilot

The Shared Services Pilot will be a year-long program that offers select child care businesses technical assistance in finance, human resources, and marketing. Later this summer, child care businesses that are interested may apply to the Shared Services Pilot. Trying Together will manage the Shared Services Pilot to begin in November 2021.

Providers located within the City of Pittsburgh can express interest in the Shared Services Pilot by sending an email to sharedservices@tryingtogether.org by August 1, 2021. Interested providers should include the name and address of their program, a short statement on their current knowledge of shared services, and how they see a Shared Services Alliance benefitting their program.

Trying Together is seeking service providers to offer human resources and financial services to a diverse mix of 12 childcare programs during the pilot year, roughly November 2021 through November 2022.

Proposals for both RFPs should be submitted electronically via email to sharedservices@tryingtogether.org by Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.

Learn more about the Human Resources RFP.

Learn more about the Financial Services RFP.

More Info

The CRiB, CCQF, and Shared Services Pilot programs listed above are made possible by:

Allegheny County Department of Human Services
City of Pittsburgh
Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5
Office of The Mayor
Pittsburgh City Council
The PNC Foundation
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Trying Together

For details, watch an informational webinar hosted by Trying Together in collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the City of Pittsburgh: