Access to affordable, high-quality daycare is more than a family issue—it’s an economic driver. When parents have reliable childcare, they can fully participate in the workforce, businesses can attract and retain employees, and communities see stronger, more stable growth.
Daycares invited to apply for new grant program
A new grant program is available to help support and expand daycare options for families. Daycare centers and providers are invited to apply for a grant through the Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund.
Applications will be accepted from April 1 through April 30, 2026 at 4 p.m. Please send the completed application and all required documents to:
Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development
106 S Dodge St # 210
Algona, IA 50511
Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund
The City of Algona, Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation, Algona Area Economic Development Corporation, and the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce have identified childcare as a high priority. Representatives from each entity have come together to form the Kossuth Childcare Coalition and are working in collaboration to support daycare sustainability and expansion.
In the fall of 2025, the Kossuth Childcare Coalition kicked off a campaign to raise funds for the Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund. This fund will provide grants and/or revolving loans to daycare centers and providers for workforce recruitment and retention, quality improvements or facility improvements that will impact expansion. Thanks to a grant from the Donald Tietz Charitable Foundation, up to $50,000 of the funds raised will receive a dollar-for-dollar match.
The Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund is a special project of Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa; all donations to the fund are tax deductible. To learn more about the Kossuth Childcare Solutions Fund or how to contribute, contact Tod Faris, Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director at 515-295-7979 or view the online profile and secure giving link.
Fund Distribution
Funds raised through this campaign will be available to Kossuth County daycare centers and in-home providers. Daycares may apply to receive funds for one or more of the following uses:
- Wage Enhancements: Assist with recruiting and/or retaining quality employees, by raising the hourly wage and/or offering bonuses for employees that meet attendance or retainment goals.
- Quality Improvements: Assist with costs related to completing Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K) levels. Higher levels of quality leads to higher levels of reimbursement through the state of Iowa.
- Facility Improvements: Assist with the construction of a daycare facility and/or remodeling of an existing space to increase the number of daycare slots available.