First Children's Finance - Iowa Growth Fund
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Iowa Growth Fund
Combining Passion and Expertise

Question:  What do you get when you combine the passion of skilled child care providers with the expertise of volunteer business and community leaders? 

Answer:  Strong centers that become more successful at serving children from low-income families.

This philosophy is at the heart of the Growth Fund.  Established first in Minnesota in 2006, the Growth Fund helps child care center directors and their boards identify and tackle critical business challenges.  Centers work with local expert business advisors and also receive FCF grants to help implement their business plans.

The Growth Fund’s work is inspired by research showing that quality care for children in their earliest years yields tremendous human, economic and social benefits later on, especially for families living in poverty.  The HighScope Perry Preschool Study, one of several landmark, long-term studies of the effects of high-quality early care and education on low-income children, documented a return to society of more than $16 for every $1 invested in a quality early care and education program.

GROWTH FUND PROGRAM SUMMARY

DES MOINES AREA GROWTH FUND GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION

IOWA GROWTH FUND ADVISORS

Iowa Growth Fund Participants - Class 1
Elkader Childcare and Learning Center, Elkader 
Conmigo Early Education Center, Des Moines
Cedar Valley Preschool & Child Care Center, Cedar Falls
Child Care Junction, Boone
(Click here for details about these centers.)

Iowa Growth Fund Participants - Class 2
Cub Cadet Childhood Center, Latimer
Dr. Smith Childcare and Learning Center, McGregor 
Little Bulldog Childcare and Learning Center, Monona
Postville Childcare Services, Postville
TLC:  The Learning Center, Charles City
(Click here for details about these centers.)