Thriving Spaces Milwaukee aims to increase capacity and improve access to quality early childhood education (ECE) by improving and expanding ECE facilities across three Milwaukee.

About the Program

IFF’s Thriving Spaces Milwaukee program aims to create and enhance inspiring learning environments by improving and expanding early childhood education (ECE) facilities across three Milwaukee neighborhoods – Brewer’s Hill, Halyard Park, and Harambee.

Thriving Spaces Milwaukee, funded by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, is part of a broader partnership with local ECE leaders across Milwaukee and is connected to the comprehensive community priorities and emerging impact of the ThriveOn Collaboration.

Participating providers will have access to grant funded facilities improvements and professional development funding and opportunities.

Congratulations to Our Grant Recipients!

2022 Fall Thriving Spaces

What's Included - And How Do I Apply?

  • Facilities Improvements
  • Maintaining
  • Expanding

In partnership with its donors, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is committing $500,000 to support for-profit childcare providers in the City of Milwaukee with priority focus on our neighbors in Harambee, Halyard Park and Brewer’s Hill.

Providers may apply for a facilities project that either maintains or expands their current number of ECE slots.

Facilities improvements related to indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishing, and outdoor play areas are IFF priorities as these factors contribute to high-quality learning environments, which are proven to positively impact young children’s learning, development, and well-being.

If you have questions about the application process or eligibility requirements please email thrivingspaces@iff.org.

Providers interested in maintaining existing ECE slots and improving facilities quality must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a licensed home-based or center-based provider
  • Have at least a 2 on the YoungStar rating system
  • Been in operation a minimum of 2 years
  • Be able to demonstrate a legal right to make changes to the building
  • Serve ages infants (ages 0-3) in Brewer’s Hill, Halyard Park, or Harambee neighborhood

How to Apply: Applications for Thriving Spaces are currently closed. Please check back for future opportunities.

Providers interested in increasing ECE slots through facilities improvements must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a licensed home-based or center-based provider
  • Been in operation a minimum of 2 years
  • Be able to demonstrate site control
  • Have 3 stars or above on the YoungStar rating system
  • Serve children ages 0-5 in Brewer’s Hill, Halyard Park, or Harambee neighborhood

How to Apply: Applications for Thriving Spaces are currently closed. Please check back for future opportunities.

Why are Quality Facilities Important for Early Childhood Education?

Improving facilities enhances provider capacity, children’s access to care and education, and parents’ ability to work and provide for their families. Furthermore, it helps ensure that the design and quality of early childhood education facilities reflect the dignity all children and their families deserve. A facilities-forward perspective can promote innovation in land usage, facility collaborations and building renovations. It could also set the standard of what learning environments for children should be reflective of regardless of their neighborhood or economic status and how academic success and pride in community can be cultivated.

Special Thanks To