Childcare FUEL Fund
Short-term childcare support when you’re working toward what comes next.
The EMBER Project’s Childcare FUEL Fund helps eligible mothers address temporary childcare costs that could otherwise interrupt school, starting a new job, or stability during a financial hardship.
How the Fund Supports Mothers
The Childcare FUEL Fund provides assistance in three key situations:
Academic Support
Mothers enrolled in a state-recognized or accredited high school, college, university, or licensed training program who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are approved for a state childcare subsidy may receive support covering their required copayment.
Employment Start Support
Mothers beginning a new job may receive assistance with their initial childcare payment, helping them secure care and start working without delay.
Temporary Hardship Support
Mothers who are enrolled in school or currently employed and experience a short-term financial hardship may receive assistance to help prevent the loss of their child’s placement at a childcare center.
Who May Qualify
To be considered for support through the Childcare FUEL Fund, applicants must:
Be a single mother
Have become a mother before the age of 25
Be currently enrolled in school, employed, or actively beginning employment
Be enrolled in a state-recognized or accredited educational program if applying for Academic Support
Utilize or be eligible for a state childcare subsidy when applicable
Use a licensed childcare provider
Additional eligibility criteria and documentation may be required.
What You May Need to Provide
Documentation requirements vary depending on the type of assistance requested and individual circumstances.
Academic Support
You may be asked to provide:
Proof of enrollment in a state-recognized or accredited high school, college, university, or licensed training program
Your most recent report card or transcript showing a minimum 3.0 GPA
Ongoing GPA verification at the end of each academic term
Documentation of childcare subsidy approval, including your required copayment amount
Employment Start Support
You may be asked to provide:
A job offer letter or written confirmation of employment
Your start date and work schedule
Documentation from the childcare provider showing the required first payment amount
Childcare subsidy status, if applicable
Temporary Hardship Support
You may be asked to provide:
A brief written explanation of the hardship
Supporting documentation when available, such as a past-due notice, billing statement, or provider notice
Verification of current employment or school enrollment
Confirmation from the childcare provider of the outstanding balance and risk of losing placement
General Documents
Depending on your situation, you may also be asked to provide:
Valid photo ID
Proof of residency, such as a utility bill, lease, or official mail
Your child’s birth certificate or other documentation verifying the parent or guardian relationship
Completed application and consent forms
Documentation requirements may vary, and The EMBER Project may request additional information when needed.
In limited cases, alternative forms of verification may be accepted when standard documentation is not available.
How Payment Works
All approved Childcare FUEL Fund payments are made directly to licensed childcare providers.
Before payment, The EMBER Project verifies:
The childcare provider is licensed
The provider’s name, contact information, and billing details
The amount due
Payments are not issued directly to individuals.
Important Limits & Availability
The Childcare FUEL Fund is designed to provide short-term, supplemental support. It does not replace ongoing childcare funding or subsidy programs.
Please keep in mind:
Support is limited and depends on available funding
Assistance is not guaranteed
Temporary Hardship Support is limited to one time per family, per calendar year
The EMBER Project may request additional documentation when needed
Eligibility and funding decisions are made based on need, impact, and available resources
Submitting a referral or application does not guarantee assistance
Ready to Connect?
Referrals from organizations are preferred because they help The EMBER Project understand a mother’s situation and support needs.
If you are a mother seeking support for yourself, you are still welcome to contact EMBER directly.
Want to review the requirements first?