Local childcare providers and startup daycares are invited to apply for a new grant program aimed at helping sustain and expand daycare access for Kossuth County families.
The Kossuth Childcare Coalition, which includes representatives of Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation, Algona Area Economic Development Corporation, and the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce, identified childcare as an economic development priority impacting the local workforce, business growth and overall community development.
The coalition kicked off a fundraising campaign last fall to help build a Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund. These funds will now be available to daycare organizations for wage enhancement programs, quality improvements or facility improvements that will impact daycare expansion.
Licensed childcare centers, registered home daycare providers and new daycares openings within calendar year 2026 are eligible to apply. Daycares must be located within Kossuth County or serve Kossuth County families. Applications and program guidelines are available on the Discover Algona website at www.discoveralgona.com, as well as at the Kossuth County Economic Development Corporation office and the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce office. Applications will be accepted through April 30.
The Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund is a special project of Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa; all donations to the fund are tax deductible. In addition to gifts from local businesses, individuals and organizations, the Donald Tietz Charitable Foundation provided $50,000 in matching funds to support the campaign.
To learn more, contact Tod Faris, K/PACEDC Executive Director at 515-295-7979 or visit www.cfneia.org/donations/kossuth-childcare-fund/.