Strengthening Childcare Nonprofits: Insights from the Field
We are thrilled to be part of the 2025 Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Propel Nonprofits. Join us for our virtual session, “Sustaining Childcare Nonprofits: Strategies, Successes, and Lessons Learned,” on Thursday, February 27, from 1:30–2:30 PM CST.
Presented by:
Charity Anderson & Staci Gilpin, Co-founders & Co-owners, Rural Pathways
Danielle Larva, Board President, Polar Cubs Childcare Center (Floodwood, MN)
Sarah Schrapp, Director, WeeFolks Childcare (Grand Rapids, MN)
We are especially proud to participate in this session alongside two of our clients, Polar Cubs Childcare Center and WeeFolks Childcare, whom we've been working with as part of our Getting Funding Ready Pilot, funded by the Northland Foundation. Their dedication to sustaining high-quality childcare in their communities has been truly inspiring, and we’re excited to share insights from this collaborative journey.
About the Session
This panel discussion brings together two experienced nonprofit childcare leaders to explore critical challenges and proven strategies for sustaining childcare centers.
Connie, of WeeFolks Childcare, and shaving cream. Photo by the Itasca County Family YMCA.
Topics include:
Business planning and financial sustainability
Diversifying revenue streams to reduce risk
Managing rising operational costs in a challenging economic climate
Adapting to evolving oversight and regulations
Entrepreneurial and community-led approaches
Navigating the post-COVID funding landscape
Panelists will share real-world insights and lessons learned from their own journeys, offering actionable strategies to enhance financial health and ensure long-term sustainability.
This session is ideal for childcare center board members, executive directors, and funders of nonprofit childcare initiatives who want to strengthen their impact and resilience.
Why This Matters
Elizabeth Appel, Senior Training Manager at Propel Nonprofits, shared her thoughts on our upcoming session in a newsletter:
“I have a toddler who attends a nonprofit childcare center, which makes this session feel even more relevant. Childcare centers are complex organizations, balancing the incredibly challenging work of caring for children while also answering to a variety of stakeholders. From government oversight and staffing shortages to high turnover, low salaries, and rising costs, nonprofit leaders in these organizations have been navigating uncertainty for years. This session will provide valuable insights for all nonprofits on how to remain resilient in the face of these ongoing challenges.”
Join Us!
Be part of the 100% virtual (live and recorded) 2025 Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference on February 25 & 27, 2025! Register here. Pay What You Can (PWYC), small-team, and large-team registration options exist for this event.
To learn more about our work with childcare centers:
Check out this case study to explore our impact and insights.
Contact us to learn how we can support your organization.
Citation: Anderson, Charity & Gilpin, Staci. (2025). Strengthening Childcare Nonprofits: Insights from the Field. Rural Pathways News.