Grants

Morningstar Learning Center regularly seeks out grant awards to supplement our Tuition Assistance Program, staff professional development, and curriculum resources and materials, among other things.  It is because of these grant awards and private donations that MLC can offer its services to our community at the lowest possible cost.  See below for updated information on grant awards.

Spring 2021 Grant Updates

  • April 2021:  Big Sky Relief, comprised of local community foundations, the Big Sky Area Resort Tax District, and other partners, has approved a grant continuation to Morningstar Learning Center to remediate the negative financial and operational impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the systemic problems it has experienced along with other childcare facilities in Montana. This grant will be applied to hiring effective administrators and qualified staff in order to fill classrooms to capacity and develop components for long-term program goals and sustainability. We are overwhelmed by the generous support of Big Sky Relief. Thank you!
  • June 2021: MLC has been the recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation that was written for the Tuition Assistance Program. This grant will be used to supplement costs associated with enrollment through scholarships.
  • June 2021: Morningstar Learning Center has been the recipient of a $200,000 grant from Big Sky Resort Tax to go towards our Tuition Assistance Program.  This grant will run from July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022.
  • June 2021: Big Sky Resort Tax awarded MLC with a $75,000 grant that will be applied to our operations budget. With the significant financial investment in our staff, this grant will allow Morningstar time to make necessary adjustments as we create a new balanced budget.

Thank you Big Sky Relief, Spanish Peaks Community Foundation and Big Sky Resort Tax for supporting Big Sky’s youngest citizens!

Fall 2020 Grant Updates

  • November 2020:  Big Sky Relief, comprised of local community foundations, the Big Sky Area Resort Tax District, and other partners, has awarded Morningstar Learning Center with a grant to remediate the negative financial and operational impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the systemic problems it has experienced along with other childcare facilities in Montana. This grant will be applied to hiring effective administrators and qualified staff in order to fill classrooms to capacity and develop components for long-term program goals and sustainability. We are overwhelmed by the generous support of Big Sky Relief. Thank you!
  • November 2020: MLC has been the recipient of a $12,000 grant from the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation that was written for Family Assistance Scholarships. This grant will be applied to the Morningstar Scholarship Fund and will be used to supplement costs associated with enrollment.
  • November 2020: Morningstar Learning Center has been the recipient of a $84,510 grant from Big Sky Resort Tax to go towards our Tuition Reduction Program.  This grant will run from December 2020 – June 2020.  Any locally employed family qualifies for a $13/day/child tuition discount from Big Sky Resort Tax.
  • December 2020: Moonlight Community Foundation awarded MLC $6,570 to be used towards building improvements that will enhance the safety and learning environments of its main facility classrooms. Thank you, MCF, for your continued support for these essential projects!

In a recent survey of MLC families, over 80% of respondents stated tuition was affordable because of the Tuition Reduction Program and Family Assistance Scholarships. Thank you Spanish Peaks Community Foundation and Big Sky Resort Tax for supporting Big Sky’s families!

Summer 2020 Grant Updates

  • June 2020: MLC has been the recipient of a $1,500 grant from the Moonlight Community Foundation that was written for our Playground Safety project. This grant will be applied to project costs for building a ramp to the Infant Playground. We are so grateful for the continued support of MCF for our students!
  • June 2020: Morningstar Learning Center has been the recipient of a $72,800 grant from Big Sky Resort Tax to go towards our Tuition Reduction Program.  This grant will run from July 2020 – December 2020.  Any locally employed family qualifies for a $13/day/child tuition discount from Big Sky Resort Tax. We are grateful for the ongoing financial support from Big Sky Resort Tax that directly impacts our local families. This grant is critical to achieving our mission of providing state-licensed, affordable childcare for the children and families of Big Sky.