The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne is partnering with the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition (NEIECC) to launch the Childcare Bridge Fund Program.
The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne is partnering with the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition (NEIECC) to launch the Childcare Bridge Fund Program.
Created in response to Indiana’s childcare assistance waitlist and the growing financial strain on childcare providers, the fund is designed to help working families maintain access to childcare while supporting providers who are working to keep their doors open.
This initiative reflects the Community Foundation’s commitment to long-term educational outcomes for children, providing equitable access to resources for greater economic mobility, and improving the quality of life throughout our community.
Why This Matters
Access to affordable, reliable childcare is essential for families, employers, and the broader economy.
Since Indiana implemented a waitlist for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), many eligible families have been unable to access childcare assistance. At the same time, childcare providers serving those families have faced declining enrollment and increasing financial pressure.
Without intervention, families risk losing access to childcare and providers risk losing the financial stability needed to remain open.
About the Childcare Bridge Fund
The Childcare Bridge Fund Program provides temporary support to eligible Allen County families who are currently on Indiana’s CCDF waitlist by working through participating childcare providers.
The fund is expected to support approximately 150 families and 30-40 childcare providers while helping preserve childcare access and gathering information that can inform future community solutions.
Funding for the initiative is made possible through GIFT IX resources provided by Lilly Endowment.
The Community Foundation’s Role
The Community Foundation is serving as a community partner and investor in helping create this initiative as part of its commitment to providing long-term educational outcomes for children, providing equitable access to resources for greater economic mobility, and long-term community wellbeing. The initiative aligns with several priorities in the Community Foundation’s Let’s Rise! Vision Plan, including:
• Lifelong Learning
• Everyone’s Economy
• Connected Community
Throughout the program, partners will evaluate outcomes and lessons learned to help inform future investments and community conversations around childcare affordability and accessibility.
Important Information
The Childcare Bridge Fund is not an open grant program and families do not apply directly through the Community Foundation. Eligible families are identified through participating childcare providers and coalition partners, and funding is administered through NEIECC.
