Across Northwest Minnesota, child care often comes down to something simple.
A fence.
A safe place to play.
A window that meets licensing requirements.
And whether or not a provider can afford to make it happen.
Since 2018, Northwest Minnesota Foundation has been working to close that gap. Through its Child Care Finance Program, NMF has now reached a milestone of more than $1 million invested in providers across the region.
That includes 170 forgivable and low-interest loans totaling more than $1,040,000, supporting providers, families, and more than 2,000 children.
But behind that number are the small decisions that determine whether child care is available in a community at all.
What it takes to open and stay open
For many providers, starting or expanding a child care business is not just about interest or demand. It is about access.
Child care providers often operate small, self-employed businesses. When they are just getting started, they may not qualify for traditional loans. At the same time, licensing requirements can require immediate upgrades—egress windows, fencing, or safe outdoor play areas.
Those are not optional improvements. They are what allow a provider to open their doors.
“It’s hard to get a loan when you’re just starting out and not showing income yet,” said Tabi Steinmetz of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.
Without access to funding, many providers are left at a standstill.
Small funding, real decisions
The Child Care Finance Program was designed with that reality in mind.
Through forgivable loans and low-interest financing, NMF offers funding that is flexible and accessible. Most forgivable loans are capped at $5,000, an amount that often meets the exact need in front of a provider.
“In this work, small dollars can make a big difference,” Steinmetz said.
In one community, a provider needed a fence to meet safety requirements. The cost was estimated at $15,000. Without support, opening would not have been possible.
In another case, a child care center needed to replace an outdoor surface that was unsafe for younger children. Funding made it possible to create a space where children of all ages could safely play.
“These are the kinds of things that don’t seem big on paper,” Steinmetz said. “But they’re often the reason someone can open or stay open.”
A milestone built over time
Reaching $1 million in disbursements reflects years of steady, incremental progress.
Each loan represents a provider who was able to move forward.
“When you look at 170 loans, you’re looking at 170 businesses,” Steinmetz said. “Many of those may not have started without this support.”
Together, those investments have helped retain more than 450 child care slots and create more than 1,100 new ones across Northwest Minnesota. In small communities, that impact is significant.
“It doesn’t take much to affect a whole community,” Steinmetz said.
Supporting the people behind the work
Child care providers are often doing more than people realize.
They meet ongoing education requirements, maintain licensing standards, and manage long days caring for children. At the same time, they are running small businesses that require constant investment.
“They are professionals,” Steinmetz said. “And they deserve to be supported like professionals.”
This program is designed to support them in that work and help make it more sustainable over time.
Why it matters
The $1 million milestone is worth celebrating.
But more importantly, it reflects a consistent investment in the people who make child care possible.
“When we help one provider move forward, that impact reaches so many others,” Steinmetz said.
When providers have what they need to open and stay open, children have access to safe, stable care. Families are able to work. Communities are better positioned to grow.
Sometimes, that impact starts with something small.
And grows into something that supports an entire region.
