Launched in 2024, the Boone County Child Care Study laid the foundation for the Boone County Early Learning Coalition, made possible through funding secured by the Boone Economic Development Corporation from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, the Community Foundation of Boone County, Eli Lilly, Witham Health Services, and Traditions Realty. Formed in late 2024, the Coalition brings together cross-sector leaders to address urgent challenges in the local early learning and child care system. Boone County faces a critical shortage of licensed child care seats, with more than 600 children currently without access to care, disproportionately affecting working families and employers. The Coalition is working to implement solutions identified in the Boone County Child Care Analysis Report, including improving access, affordability, quality, and workforce support. The full Boone County Child Care Analysis Report is available upon request from the Boone Economic Development Corporation.
The Empower to Educate grant will fund the Coalition’s first major initiative: a one-day professional development and appreciation event in summer 2025, designed to equip Boone County’s child care and early learning professionals with practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience, professional development, and sustaining their critical work.
ABOUT THE BOONE COUNTY EARLY LEARNING COALITION
Launched in 2024, the Boone County Child Care Study laid the foundation for the Boone County Early Learning Coalition, made possible through funding secured by the Boone Economic Development Corporation from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, the Community Foundation of Boone County, Eli Lilly, Witham Health Services, and Traditions Realty.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Boone County exists to unite people, organizations, and philanthropy to create a thriving community for all. Since 1991, its leaders have worked to empower and engage local communities to make a difference right here in Boone County, while also leading a vision to collaboratively address the root causes of challenges facing Boone County in diverse and equitable ways. The Community Foundation continues to invest in the people working to fill local needs and has granted more than $31 million to nonprofit organizations and programs working to solve critical challenges in Boone County. With nearly $38 million in assets, the Community Foundation works with donors to create permanent funds for charitable giving, to strengthen Boone County for generations to come.