Focus Area: Advocacy in Early Childhood

Grant Amount: $10,000

Located in Minneapolis, serves statewide. FCF is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that lends capital exclusively to childcare businesses. With their national headquarters Minnesota, they work on initiatives and projects across the country. They provide financial and business assistance to high-quality childcare businesses serving low- and moderate-income families.

Grant supports continuing an initiative to provide advocacy training to Black, Indigenous, and providers of color in the state. FCF’s long-term goal is to ensure BIPOC childcare providers are heard by policymakers regarding systemic barriers to successful business ownership. The advocacy program is a critical component of this effort, with 2 groups of providers already finished and the 3rd group being prepared for participation. The program includes 2 in-depth trainings on policy, legislative tracking, and messaging; a “Day on the Hill” with facilitated meetings with elected officials; and a follow-up workshop, to discuss post-legislative-session communication.