Yellowknife — May 20, 2026
The Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund now has three distinct funding streams: the Major Projects Fund, the Minor Projects Fund, and the Developmental (Needs Assessment) Projects Fund.
The new funding streams simplify the Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund application process and help create new licensed early learning and child care spaces. Funding priority will be given to communities with limited or non-existent early learning and child care programming.
The Major Projects Fund supports eligible applicants with the costs of project management, construction, and the procurement of materials and supplies. Major projects do not have a maximum funding amount, but there is a limit to how much funding is available each year.
The Minor Projects Fund provides up to $250,000 to eligible organizations including:
- accessibility upgrades
- landscaping sloping, surfacing or installation of paths/sidewalks
- pre-construction costs for Minor Projects including permitting, engineering, design and assessments
- construction and renovation costs
- fire safety mitigations
- repair and maintenance for health and safety
- retrofits that create new child care spaces
- space preservation projects
- accessible playground equipment
The Development (Needs Assessment) Project Fund provides up to $15,000 to undertake a child care needs assessment in their community. This one-time funding is limited to select Northwest Territories communities, Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, community governments, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and education bodies.
Applications for the Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund’s Major, Minor and Developmental Project Funds will be accepted and reviewed on a continual basis.
Anyone who has already submitted applications, are mid-application or have an application under review under the previous funding structure will not need to adjust or re-submit their applications. They will be reviewed under the new funding structure and awarded funding accordingly.
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For media requests, contact:
Agata Gutkowska
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Email: ecepublicaffairs@gov.nt.ca