Locations
We’re a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution
We’re a nonprofit CDFI that lends capital exclusively to child care businesses. We currently lend in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. We have regional offices in Iowa, Michigan, Vermont and Minnesota, and work on initiatives and projects across the country.
National Headquarters
First Children’s Finance has claimed downtown Minneapolis as our home for three decades. Our national headquarters houses our organization’s Leadership Team, Loan Fund Team, and our National Team.
Iowa
The Iowa Regional Office staff is dedicated to increasing the supply and business sustainability of child care by strengthening home-based and center-based child care programs through business and financial training, coaching, consulting, technical assistance and access to capital.
The Iowa staff also bolsters the workforce and economy by helping communities find the right-sized solutions for child care through consulting projects; including child care market analysis, strategic planning and financial modeling of future facilities and expansions.
Michigan
Our Michigan team was founded in 2008 to serve the needs of child care businesses in the Detroit. The team has a deep understanding of the importance of early care and education’s impact on underserved communities, and has provided critical support to business owners in Southeastern Michigan.
Since 2008, the team and its work has grown to serve the entire state, providing support to family child care entrepreneurs and child care center business leaders in every corner of Michigan. Whether you’re business is just launching, or you have been in business for decades, our team has tools, resources and expertise to bring your business to its next phase of growth.
Minnesota
FCF’s Minnesota team is co-located in our national headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. As the oldest state office, the Minnesota team has developed alongside the national vision for our organization. Programs and services have been continuously been offered across Minnesota since our founding in 1991.
Today, Minnesota’s team members can be found in every region of the state, serving child care business clients and communities in rural areas, population centers and the Twin Cities metro area. Although the need for excellent child care exists in every community, the Minnesota team recognizes the need for a diversity of approaches to serve rural child care businesses, BIPOC entrepreneurs, and community partners.
Vermont
The BTAP is committed to addressing the business needs of Vermont’s early childhood and afterschool programs. To help us better understand the current needs, First Children’s Finance is conducting a survey of child care business owners and directors. The results of the survey will be shared with stakeholders and used to determine offerings of the BTAP throughout 2023 and beyond.
Other Areas We Serve
Oregon
Key Information
First Children’s Finance has partnered with Oregon’s Early Learning Division to support the child care business ecosystem in Oregon. The long-term goals of this consultation are to increase the financial sustainability of existing child care businesses throughout the state, and to address the critical need for child care supply, specifically for infant and toddler care.
First Children’s Finance will be working in Oregon to develop a comprehensive plan to address the immediate business needs of Oregon’s child care businesses, and guide thinking regarding longer-term business supports and supply building efforts needed.
Trainings:
Oregon Child Care Trainings
Wisconsin
Key Information
First Children’s Finance has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families to provide support up to 30 communities to evaluate, plan, sustain, and expand childcare throughout the state. Communities will be selected through a competitive process.
In addition to the work with communities First Children’s Finance will be working with licensed providers to develop business improvement plans through cohort learning opportunities. Grants and stipends will be available for selected communities and providers who complete the process. For more information and project timelines for the Dream Up! Grant Program click here.
First Children’s Finance is able to support communities and child care providers throughout Wisconsin and we encourage you to reach out to us today if you have questions about how we could partner to meet your unique child care needs. We’d love to learn more about your ideas and questions!
To learn more, contact Kari Stattelman, Business Development Consultant with questions: KariS@firstchildrensfinance.org or 612-279-6521.
North Dakota
Key Information
First Children’s Finance has been providing loans to child care businesses throughout the history of our organization. Contact our Loan Fund to learn more about how we can help make your business dreams a reality!
Occasionally, we engage in projects in communities that are close to the Minnesota-North Dakota border. Contact our Minnesota office to learn more about opportunities available in Eastern North Dakota.
South Dakota
Key Information
First Children’s Finance has been providing business loans to child care entrepreneurs for decades in South Dakota. If you child care project that needs financing, contact our Loan Fund for more information.
Although we don’t currently have an office in South Dakota, sometimes we are involved in projects in communities that are close to the South Dakota- Minnesota border. Contact our Minnesota office to learn more about opportunities available in Eastern South Dakota.