All across the country, children and families are suffering because of under-investment in early care and education programs. Early educators and providers face an unstable industry where they struggle to earn enough to care for themselves, let alone ensure the doors of many child learning centers stay open. New research by The Century Foundation estimates 3.2 million children could lose care if the federal pandemic era investment in child care expires in September of this year.
The struggle of children, families and providers is not new. It is the reason we do this work.
Fortunately, the Raising Child Care Fund (RCCF) received a major investment that will help not only the organizations that advocate for a better child care system and funding, but also families and children. MacKenzie Scott recently gifted the RCCF with $3 million. Her gift gets us closer to our strategic goal of raising $12 million by the end of 2025. We are thrilled because despite our best intentions, we cannot have an impact without funding. Here what some of the leaders we invest in had to say about the gift:
“This significant investment in our work affirms our shared commitment to empowering families and child care providers through grassroots organizing,” said Erin Clark, organizer with 9to5. “We are deeply grateful to the Raising Child Care Fund for recognizing the impact of grassroots organizations like ours and for their dedication to fostering positive change led by those most impacted.”
“My work as an organizer in West Virginia literally wouldn’t be possible without the support of RCCF,” said Amy Jo Hutchison, Rattle the Windows. “Their commitment to the issue of child care ties directly to my commitment to the children, families, and communities here in West Virginia who rely on it. I am honored to work with the Raising Child Care Fund as their support has allowed us to gain great momentum in the Mountain State on the issue of child care.”
All children deserve access to quality and affordable child care, and families and providers deserve continuity in funding. This grant gets us all closer to a future where all children are seen, and cared for, and where all families and providers have what they need to serve the youngest and most impressionable minds.
Learn more about Raising Child Care Fund and our grantee partners.
