A New Roadmap for Funders: Strengthening Child Care Through Philanthropy

Sometimes the best ideas don't begin with the intention of creating products, they begin with people coming together to solve a problem.

Three years ago, Pulse held the charge to develop a roadmap for strengthening Michigan's childcare system in Region 8. As that work evolved, local implementation teams were formed across the state to identify community-driven solutions. In Region 8, two of those implementation teams are led by funders, recognizing that philanthropy has a unique role to play in strengthening childcare and supporting long-term community success.

As conversations continued at a regional level through the Region 8 Funders Group, a new question emerged: What role can funders play, not only individually, but collectively, in helping move this work forward?

Through months of discussion, collaboration, and shared learning, one thing became clear: many foundations wanted to become involved in childcare but weren't always sure where to start. They were looking for practical ideas, examples from peers, and tangible ways to make a meaningful impact.

From that, the Funders Roadmap was born.

The Funders Roadmap wasn't created to become another report that sits on a shelf.

Instead, it was intentionally designed as a practical resource that helps funders move from interest to action. Whether a foundation is just beginning to explore childcare or has supported early childhood initiatives for years, the roadmap offers strategies, examples, and opportunities to deepen engagement.

Rather than prescribing a single approach, the roadmap encourages foundations to identify where they can have the greatest impact based on their unique communities, relationships, and resources.

Readers will find ideas for:

• Community Leadership

• Foundation-Directed (Discretionary) Grantmaking

• Donor-Directed Grantmaking

• Attracting, Influencing, and Leveraging outside capital

• Advocacy, Education, and Awareness

  
  

Why Community Foundations?

Community foundations are uniquely positioned to lead this work because of the roles they already play within their communities.

They are trusted conveners, connectors, grantmakers, and community leaders. They bring together businesses, nonprofits, schools, local government, and residents to solve complex challenges. Childcare is no exception.

While childcare has traditionally been viewed as an early childhood issue, today's reality tells a much broader story. It is a workforce issue, an economic development issue, and a community vitality issue. When families cannot find affordable, quality childcare, employers struggle to fill positions, local economies suffer, and children miss critical opportunities for early learning.

That's why childcare has become an increasingly important priority for philanthropy.

This is a Resource for All Funders

Although the roadmap was developed with community foundations in mind, its lessons extend far beyond one type of philanthropy.

Private foundations, corporate funders, United Ways, family foundations, and other philanthropic partners will all find ideas they can adapt to their own missions and communities. Addressing childcare requires collaboration across every sector, and philanthropy has the ability to help bring those sectors together.

No single organization can solve the childcare challenge alone, but together we can create lasting change.

Today marks the first public introduction of the Funders Roadmap. This Fall, it will also be shared with community foundations across the state at the Council of Michigan Foundations Conference, expanding the conversation and encouraging more philanthropic organizations to engage in strengthening Michigan's childcare system.

This roadmap represents the collective knowledge, experiences, and creativity of funders who believe philanthropy has an important role to play in building stronger communities.

It was created in partnership with the Southwest Michigan Childcare Coalition, the Region 8 Funders Collaborative, and Pulse, with funding provided by the Council of Michigan Foundation's Community Foundation Endowment. We are also grateful to the Southwest Michigan (Region 8) community foundations whose experiences and innovative work helped shape this resource and provide meaningful examples that others can adapt in their own communities.

Our hope is simple: that this roadmap serves as an invitation. An invitation for funders to explore new partnerships, think differently about their role, and discover how they can help create childcare solutions that strengthen families, support employers, and build thriving communities for generations to come.