Grow the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care.
First Children’s Finance centers its grantmaking on child care businesses: start-up, expansion, renovation, working capital, technology, safety upgrades, and capacity building for providers. That mix shows up in both its lending and its grant programs, which are designed to help licensed child care businesses and local partners strengthen the supply of care and improve operations. In Minnesota, the foundation has supported technology and facility needs for child care centers, while in Vermont and Wisconsin it has backed provider stipends and community supply-building work tied to local plans. The scale is substantial. The foundation reported $23,989,485 in annual grants and $15,837,465 in total assets in its latest filing year, with grant sizes typically in a narrow band around the low five figures. The recent grants list also points to a strong state-level implementation model: large awards recur for child care-related projects in Wisconsin communities such as the City of Waupaca and the City of Sun Prairie, alongside support for providers like Otter Creek Child Center Inc in Vermont. The foundation’s work is structured around business sustainability rather than general philanthropy, with grants and loans both aimed at helping child care providers stay open, improve facilities, and add slots.
A core theme is child care supply-building at the community level. First Children’s Finance gave $75,000 to Lincoln County Government for implementation of the community’s strategic supply building plan for child care needs, and similar awards went to the City of Waupaca and the City of Sun Prairie for the same purpose. Another clear focus is direct support for providers. The foundation awarded $85,795 to Christian Bowdish in Salisbury, Vermont, and $75,800 to Otter Creek Child Center Inc in Middlebury, Vermont, both under the provider stipends program. In Wisconsin, awards such as $75,455 to Augusta Childcare Center and $75,000 to Mauston School District also sat in that provider-stipend category. It also funds facility and operational improvements. The program menu includes technology grants for Minnesota child care businesses, security camera grants for licensed centers, and facility revitalization support for indoor projects and purchases. Its child care lending fund extends that business-support model to start-up, expansion, renovation, and working capital needs.
$1.1M
$7M
$9.3M
$10M
Most grants fall between $8K and $15K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$15K
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First Children’s Finance gives in a tight middle range: the 25th percentile grant is $8,188, the median is $11,975, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent grants list also includes repeated $75,000 awards for state and community implementation work, showing that the foundation combines small operating or stipends-style grants with larger targeted awards. The pattern is highly recurring rather than one-off. Grants appear across multiple years, especially in Wisconsin and Vermont, with both 2023 community planning awards and 2024 provider stipends. The foundation is a public charity, not a private family foundation, and it also operates a child care lending fund. Unsolicited applications are accepted for several active grant programs, including the Minnesota technology rounds and the Vermont child care grant offerings.
The geographic footprint is local and overwhelmingly Minnesota-centered by recipient location, with 94% of grants going to recipients in MN. Still, the recent grants list shows substantial activity in Wisconsin and Vermont as well. Wisconsin recipients include Milwaukee, Madison, Waupaca, Sun Prairie, and Eau Claire, while Vermont recipients include Salisbury and Middlebury. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 1,703 grants in the United States.
Their programs cover child care business financing, technology, safety and compliance, facility revitalization, infant and toddler capacity building, and community child care supply planning. The active loan fund is for start-up, expansion, renovation, and working capital, while grant offerings support business management tools, security cameras, and facility projects.
Yes. The recent grants include $75,000 awards for implementation of community strategic supply building plans in places such as Lincoln County Government, the City of Waupaca, and the City of Sun Prairie. That sits alongside provider-level support like stipends and facility grants.
Typical awards are small and clustered in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $8,188, the median is $11,975, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent grants list also shows larger targeted awards, including multiple $75,000 grants.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the FCF Loan Fund, MN Access to Technology grant rounds, Minnesota Child Care Facility Revitalization Grants, the Vermont grant offerings, and the Make Way for Kids infant and toddler capacity-building grant.
Minnesota is the top state by grant count, with 94% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list also shows repeated activity in Wisconsin and Vermont, especially around provider stipends and community supply-building awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRAFTSBURY SAPLINGS | CRAFTSBURY, VT | $50,000 | 2026 | VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT |
| LANGLADE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | EAST ST PAUL, MN | $25,870 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| CALUMET COUNTY - CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL | KIMBERLY, WI | $25,608 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| UNITED WAY OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY INC | ST CLOUD, MN | $25,431 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| MAUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | PLYMOUTH, MN | $25,408 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| VILLAGE OF LA FARGE | CHASKA, MN | $24,431 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| WOOD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT-WI | BURNSVILLE, MN | $24,430 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| UNITED WAY OF PORTAGE COUNTY | RAMSEY, MN | $24,428 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| PITTSFORD VILLAGE FARM | RUTLAND, VT | $22,875 | 2026 | VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT |
| STOCKBRIDGE MUNSEE COMMUNITY | PLYMOUTH, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| KIDS COME 1ST | ROCHESTER, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| JACKSON COUNTY CHILDCARE ALLIANCE (COOP CU) | PLYMOUTH, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| SMALL WORLD LEARNING CENTER | MAPLE GROVE, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| LITTLE TRENDERS | LAKEVILLE, MN | $19,892 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| LATINO ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORK | PLYMOUTH, MN | $18,700 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| NICOLLET DAYCARE CENTER INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $18,000 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| GROW WITH ME LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY | COON RAPIDS, MN | $18,000 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| MILKWEED MOUNTAIN | HINESBURG, VT | $17,449 | 2026 | VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT |
| SONNET MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PRIOR LAKE | LAKEVILLE, MN | $17,415 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| IT STARTS WITH LUV LEARNING CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $17,348 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| KIDDIE ACADEMY OF EDINA | EDINA, MN | $16,750 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL | NEW YORK MILLS, MN | $15,714 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| HEADSTART PRESCHOOL LLC DBA THE OFFICE | CIRCLE PINES, MN | $15,533 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| ST JEROME KIDS KORNER | MAPLEWOOD, MN | $15,419 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| BABY HALIMO CHILD CARE INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,300 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| COMMON ROOTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL | ST PAUL, MN | $15,134 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| COMMUNITY RELATED TRAINING INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| CITY OF WAUPACA | WAUPACA, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| DRIFTLESS DEVELOPMENT | PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| OSHKOSH AREA UNITED WAY | PLYMOUTH, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| STEPPING STONES CHILDCARE- BRAINERD | BRAINERD, MN | $14,676 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| LITTLE SCHOLARS ACADEMY LLC | FARIBAULT, MN | $14,211 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| YOLANDA HUNTER ENTERPRISE LLC | NORTH BRANCH, MN | $13,500 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| AMYS DAYCARE | WAVERLY, MN | $13,149 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| WILD ONES CHILDCARE | PRINCETON, MN | $12,985 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| ITHACA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PLYMOUTH, MN | $12,600 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| BIG WONDER CHILD CARE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $12,555 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| CITY OF SUN PRAIRIE | SUN PRAIRIE, WI | $12,500 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| CHILDREN OF JOY PRESCHOOL | PINE CITY, MN | $11,993 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| WARROAD COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTER | WARROAD, MN | $11,924 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| CLINTON LEARNING CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $11,754 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| CENTRALLOWRY ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $11,397 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| LITTLE KEEPERS CHILD CARE CENTER LLC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $11,252 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| LATINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF DANE COUNTY | PLYMOUTH, MN | $11,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BURLINGTON | BURLINGTON, VT | $10,944 | 2026 | VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT |
| JENNIFER DEBLIECK'S CHILD CARE | PARK RAPIDS, MN | $10,614 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| BLOSSOM BRIDGE CHILD CARE HUGO LLC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,264 | 2026 | MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT |
| RHINELANDER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | PLYMOUTH, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER CHIPPEWA VALLEY | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
| VIROQUA AREA SCHOOLS | COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND |
CRAFTSBURY SAPLINGS
$50,000VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT
LANGLADE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$25,870WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
MAUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
$25,408WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
VILLAGE OF LA FARGE
WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
WOOD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT-WI
$24,430WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
STOCKBRIDGE MUNSEE COMMUNITY
$20,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
KIDS COME 1ST
$20,000MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
JACKSON COUNTY CHILDCARE ALLIANCE (COOP CU)
$20,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
SMALL WORLD LEARNING CENTER
$20,000MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
LITTLE TRENDERS
$19,892MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
LATINO ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORK
$18,700WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
NICOLLET DAYCARE CENTER INC
$18,000MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
GROW WITH ME LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
$18,000MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
MILKWEED MOUNTAIN
$17,449VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT
SONNET MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PRIOR LAKE
$17,415MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
IT STARTS WITH LUV LEARNING CENTER
$17,348MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
KIDDIE ACADEMY OF EDINA
$16,750MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
TRINITY LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL
$15,714MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
HEADSTART PRESCHOOL LLC DBA THE OFFICE
$15,533MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
ST JEROME KIDS KORNER
$15,419MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
BABY HALIMO CHILD CARE INC
$15,300MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
COMMON ROOTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$15,134MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
COMMUNITY RELATED TRAINING INC
$15,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
CITY OF WAUPACA
$15,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
DRIFTLESS DEVELOPMENT
$15,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
STEPPING STONES CHILDCARE- BRAINERD
$14,676MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
LITTLE SCHOLARS ACADEMY LLC
$14,211MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
YOLANDA HUNTER ENTERPRISE LLC
$13,500MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
AMYS DAYCARE
$13,149MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
WILD ONES CHILDCARE
$12,985MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
ITHACA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$12,600WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
BIG WONDER CHILD CARE
$12,555MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
CITY OF SUN PRAIRIE
$12,500WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
CHILDREN OF JOY PRESCHOOL
$11,993MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
WARROAD COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTER
$11,924MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
CLINTON LEARNING CENTER
$11,754MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
CENTRALLOWRY ACADEMY
$11,397MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
LITTLE KEEPERS CHILD CARE CENTER LLC
$11,252MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
LATINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF DANE COUNTY
$11,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BURLINGTON
$10,944VT CHILDCARE FEASABILITY PROJECT
JENNIFER DEBLIECK'S CHILD CARE
$10,614MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
BLOSSOM BRIDGE CHILD CARE HUGO LLC
$10,264MN FACILITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
RHINELANDER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$10,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
VIROQUA AREA SCHOOLS
$10,000WI PROVIDER PATICIPANT STIPEND
Current and upcoming funding from First Children's Finance that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Available to Vermont child care providers and organizations undertaking planning for a new or expanded child care facility. The program supports planning a capital construction project for new or expanded child care operations.
Deadline: Funding is available on a rolling basis.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants are licensed child care centers. Cameras must meet specified operating, recording, resolution, and frame-rate requirements and are intended for rooms designated for infants or toddlers where statutory requirements apply.
Deadline: December 4–11, 2026
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