Targeted Call for Proposal Fund
Increasing Access to Child Care Projects 2025-2026
We are excited to announce our next callout for the Targeted Call for Proposal Fund. This Fund, as outlined in the MVFSP Operations Manual Chapter 4, is for emerging service requirements that have the potential to provide needed support to military and veteran families not otherwise covered under other MVFSP funding (e.g. annual services fund, community family fund, emergency fund or in-year fund).
Purpose: Support military families by funding projects that increase access to child care
Who Can Apply: One (1) application per organization submitted by the Executive Director, MFRC or senior staff MFS/PSP, including:
- Not for profit MFRCs
- MFS local operations
- PSP local operations
Funding Streams: For this callout, we are focusing on increasing access to child care in 2 critical areas:
- One-time purchases to improve child care environments (excluding infrastructure but including specialized equipment, materials and supplies, and professional programming/curricula services)
- Direct service programming expenditures for FY25/26 (retroactive and/or projected) in the following 6 streams:
2.1. Special circumstance
2.2. Playcare and respite care
2.3. Relocation child care
2.4. ECE enhancements
2.5.Underserviced areas
2.6. Special needs inclusion
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025 with notification by end January 2026.
Please read the details below to understand how you can submit your proposal today.
Goals
MFS will be providing additional funding to increase access to child care services at Canadian Bases and Wings as part of the expanded child care enhancements Initiative #3. This initiative is intended to target the unique needs of the military community such as before and after school care, occasional care, deployments and other military-related absences, spring and summer camp spaces, and programming for children with special needs.
This funding cannot replace or interfere with provisions of provincial licensed child care funding requirements. This funding is intended to provide child care alternatives and options where none exist or are inadequate to meet family needs and waitlist demands (e.g. collaborative efforts to avoid duplication of services).
This Targeted Call for Proposals is open to any of the 28 not-for-profit MFRCs, 5 MFS local operations, and 28 PSP local operations in Canada.
Streams and Objectives
The Targeted Call for Proposals will cover these areas:
Stream | Objective | Key Performance Indicators (KPI) | Examples |
1. One-time purchases | One-time purchases to improve child care environments (excluding infrastructure). | # allocations provided (MFS) | Specialized Equipment (e.g. non-fixed assets)
Materials and Supplies:
Professional Programming/Curriculum Services:
|
| 2. Programming: | Objective: |
| Examples (expenditures for FY25/6 retroactive and/or planned): |
2.1. Special circumstance programming | Support families to navigate a variety of child care options that support operational readiness. | # service hours # children provided space |
|
2.2. Playcare and respite care | Provide child minding / casual child care respite services that support operational readiness, to provide parents a break during deployments, military-related absences, and other operational requirements. | # service hours # children provided space |
|
2.3. Relocation child care (TBD) | Deliver temporary child care solutions for families who have just posted to a new community. | # service hours # children provided space |
|
2.4. ECE enhancements (TBD) | Increase recruitment and retention of ECEs in MFRCs. | # service hours # children provided space |
|
2.5. Underserviced areas | Deliver creative solutions to enhancing child care options in communities where there is a currently identified service deficit (e.g. families living in rural/isolated communities, in communities where services are only offered in one language not spoken by family, in identified child care deserts, etc.). | # service hours # children provided space |
|
2.6. Special needs inclusion | Provide supports to ensure children with special/exceptional needs are integrated and included in regular child care / child minding / casual respite care programming. | # service hours # children provided space |
|
Eligibility
All recipients who have received MFS funding to deliver services to military and Veteran families are eligible to apply (i.e. MFRCs, MFS local operations, PSP local operations).
The total funding envelope for all streams outlined above in this Targeted Call for Proposals will be distributed between all Canadian locations, including 28 not-for-profit MFRCs, 5 MFS local operations (including MFS/PSP SOF), and 28 PSP local operations.
The Executive Director, MFRC or the senior MFS/PSP staff can submit max one application for their organization.
Projects must have occurred within fiscal year 2025-26. An additional Targeted Call for Proposal will be issued in Q4 of FY25/6 for planned projects in future years 2026-2030.
What can the funds be used for?
Eligible and ineligible expenses are addressed under Chapter 4 of the MVFSP OPs manual, Rationalized Streamlined Funding.
Eligible expenses include those already incurred through FY25/6 and those that will be incurred by 31 March 2026.
The following is a list of examples, albeit not exhaustive, of the type of expenses that are eligible within this current Targeted Call for Proposals Fund:
- Service Delivery: Staff Related Costs including salaries, professional development and training, travel, as described in detail in MVFSP Ops Manual Ch. 4 – B.1.
- Service Delivery: Direct Costs including expenses incurred in the promotion, delivery and evaluation of services including translation, as described in detail in MVFSP Ops Manual Ch. 4 – B.2.
- One-Time Purchases:
- Specialized Equipment (e.g. non-fixed assets)
- Playground materials to meet safety standards or compliance for serving children with disabilities that do not affect or require infrastructure installation/modifications
- Assistive technology or adaptive devices that support serving children with disabilities and the provision of inclusionary care
- Health and safety supports (carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, door alarms, camera systems, emergency kits, transportation upgrades, safe sleep materials) that do not require infrastructure modifications/installation
- Furnishings and appliances to improve quality child care environment
- Age-appropriate equipment or furnishings for licensed age group
- Materials and Supplies:
- Infant care items (cribs, change-tables, rocking chairs, toys, books, strollers)
- MFRC Child Care Centre material enhancements and supplies (play equipment, preschool age toys)
- Child program enhancement supplies (learning, educational, and developmental enrichment materials, books, toys, displays)
- Materials and supplies for regulations and quality environments
- Materials used for learning or meal/feeding activities
- Resources or supplies to help augment specialized programming (i.e. sensory room materials)
- Professional Programming/Curriculum Services:
- Support for curriculum coaches and consultants
- Purchase of educationally rich curriculum
- Pediatric First Aid and CPR training and certification for staff working with children to promote safe environments for children
- Specialized Equipment (e.g. non-fixed assets)
The following is a list of examples, albeit not exhaustive, of the type of expenses that are NOT eligible within this current Targeted Call for Proposals Fund:
- Management and Admin: Staff Related Costs (B.3)
- Management and Admin: Admin Costs (B.4)
- Infrastructure (e.g. fixed assets) are not eligible within this Targeted Call for Proposals Fund but will be actioned separately through CMP. Infrastructure expenses include items such as:
- Capital improvements (renovations, below grade access door, walls, doors, plumbing, electrical, outdoor fencing)
- Facility maintenance or improvements that require infrastructure modifications/installation.
- Health and safety supports (carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, door alarms, camera systems, emergency kits, transportation upgrades, safe sleep materials) that require infrastructure modifications/installation.
Timeframe & deadline for applications
- Dec 1, 2025: Call for proposal announcement
- Dec 31, 2025: Proposal submission deadline
- Jan 31, 2026: Notification letters
Evaluation criteria
For this callout of the Targeted Call for Proposals, the following evaluation criteria will be applied:
- Mandatory Criteria as detailed under Chapter 4 of the MVFSP OPs manual, Rationalized Streamlined Funding.
- Merit Criteria: Fidelity (proposal aligns with the goal, streams and objectives outlined in this Targeted Call for Proposals).
Reporting requirements
Successful applicants must submit annual financial report using a standardized template and After-Action Report by the date specified in the document submission matrix provided by MFS.
Contact Us
MFRCs, please direct all questions about this targeted call for proposals to the MFSP Stewardship and Quality Management Team at MFSP-SQM@cfmws.com.
PSP, please direct all questions about this targeted call for proposals to Mr. Martin Juneau at Recreation@cfmws.com.
