Grant from The Idaho Community Foundation to Help United Way of North Idaho A.L.I.C.E. Scholarship Program
United Way of North Idaho is pleased to announce it has received a $12,000 grant from the Idaho Future Fund in The Idaho Community Foundation. These funds will support the A.L.I.C.E. Childcare Scholarship Program. This program has been awarding funds to families living below the A.L.I.C.E. Threshold for the past five years through pooled funds made up from grants and donations. Those living below the A.L.I.C.E. Threshold are hard working individuals that despite being employed and taking all the right steps are one emergency away from financial disaster.
“Childcare Scholarships are a critical component in the multifaceted approach of our North Idaho Early Learning Collaborative as we address the childcare crisis,” Rachel Peterson, Executive Director at UWNI, said. “We are not only seek to meet an immediate need, but to perpetuate long term change that will benefit our economic infrastructure, benefit employers looking to recruit and retain quality employees, support educational environments that will provide a life-long lift to children in our community and support small business childcare providers.”
UWNI determined that one of the greatest needs of this population is safe licensed affordable childcare, a hard thing to find everywhere, let alone the rural areas spread around Northern Idaho. Scholarships are awarded depending on determined need by UWNI scholarship committee where variables such as family size, cost of housing, annual income, and personal narrative is taken into account. This non-profits goal is to get families the leg-up they may need to keep their child from losing their spot in a care facility, keep their job, or get them through a time of emergency financial strain.
This program is made possible by funds given through the Idaho Community Foundation, the city of Coeur d’Alene City Development Black Grant, and Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. The A.L.I.C.E. Childcare Program reduces educational opportunity gaps for children and increases workforce participation among adults by providing financial assistance to families for accessing and maintaining childcare.
“Now more than ever we need to link arms in this work to move the needle permanently for the young families in our community. We are grateful that Idaho Community Foundation recognizes the need and is partnering in our work through grant funding,” Peterson stated.
The Idaho Community Foundation connects Idahoans to a generous statewide network through the power of collective giving. Their grantmaking, community impact work and charitable advising services have strengthened nonprofits, schools and communities in every Idaho county for more than 35 years. They believe that shared philanthropy is more powerful than giving alone. For more information, visit: www.idahocf.org.