Act Fast: $2 Million in Childcare Grants Available for Montana Companies

Most hiring managers at businesses in Montana will agree that finding and retaining employees is a challenge. Partly because of our low unemployment rate (3.2% as of November 2024, the latest data available). But another issue is the lack of childcare for employees.

According to a 2024 report by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, 40% of Montana businesses say they are unable to find and retain a qualified workforce due to a lack of childcare, and 30% of businesses say inadequate childcare has prevented their company from growing.

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Daycare costs can devour a Montana employee's paycheck.

Affordable child care is a dilemma for many Montana households. In potentially-dual income homes, parents may realize it's cheaper for one of them to stay home than pay for daycare. In 2023, families were paying an average of 28 percent of their household income on child care –- $11,700 on average.

Single parents can feel the financial sting of childcare expenses even more, and in many communities, there is a dire lack of daycare options, even if they can afford the expense.

Grant money is available for Montana employers to help with childcare.

Zero to Five Montana and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services have collaborated on a grant project to award $2 million to Montana companies that hope to find solutions for the lack of affordable childcare in the Treasure State.

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The grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on the size of the company and other factors. This is a one-time grant opportunity for Montana employers through the Family Forward Montana initiative to develop an employer-sponsored childcare program.

Montana employers can apply for the grants HERE. The deadline to apply is February 7th at 5 PM.  Interested employers are invited to attend a Lunch and Learn webinar on January 17 at noon. Register for the Lunch and Learn HERE.