Join Us in Addressing the Child Care Crisis
The Problem:
The Solution:
GWCHF Seeks Partners for Project Growth
The data shows the need - NOW is the time to act!

Dodge and Jefferson County businesses and early childhood programs have an opportunity partner up, work toward shared goals, and receive money and support along the way. In addition to our work to develop a multi-faceted approach to addressing the child care crisis in our region, the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation (GWCHF) encourages partners to engage in Project Growth, a new State of Wisconsin initiative designed to help solve the challenges facing our child care system.

Project Growth invests in partnerships that aim to strengthen their businesses and community by making quality, affordable child care more accessible and sustainable. Grants are available to businesses and child care providers that work together to add benefits employees want, find child care solutions, and innovate. And the best part? There are concrete benefits beyond the grant funding.

Benefits for businesses include:

  • Staying competitive in a tight labor market by offering attractive benefits
  • Increasing employee productivity
  • Employees who know that their children are in safe, reliable, and high-quality environments are more engaged
  • Employees are more reliable because they are available to come to work
  • Strengthening the local community and economy, and knowing your employees get a great benefit that strengthens their families and your business

Benefits for early childhood programs include:

  • Affording quality workers, training, materials, and facilities
  • Retaining quality staff through offering higher pay
  • Stabilizing enrollment numbers by having reserved business subsidized spots
  • Making long-term connections with businesses and organizations that can help improve the quality and scope of your care

Project Growth Informational Kick-Off Webinar

Join the Department of Children & Families and other project partners to hear about Project Growth and its two grant programs: Partner Up! and Dream Up!

Monday, February 28 | 12 p.m. CST

Join the Kick-Off Webinar via Zoom (registration not required)

Additional webinars on each grant program are detailed here.

GWCHF is committed to supporting businesses and child care providers in applying for funding through Project Growth. Questions? Contact GWCHF President Tina Crave.
Sign On to a Unified Vision for Increased Investments in Young Children
We invite you to join us in signing on to an open letter from the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers, laying out a united vision for increased investments in prenatal-to-three issues in 2022 and beyond. The National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers is a coalition comprised of more than 2,500 local, state and national organizations representing business leaders, pediatricians, child care providers, parents, state and local officials, advocates and researchers. The group is calling on our nation’s leaders at every level to invest in the following priority areas:
  1. Economic Security for All
  2. High-quality, Affordable Child Care
  3. Comprehensive Family Supports
  4. Maternal and Child Health
  5. Equitable Policy Implementation
Please consider signing on by Friday, Feb. 25, although the link will remain live for signatures indefinitely.
Grant Announcements
$1 million in Covid Response Grants Awarded
GWCHF announces the closing of our Pandemic Response grant cycle after awarding more than $1 million to 40+ organizations working to improve the health of children and families in Dodge and Jefferson Counties. Grants helped address pandemic needs like food, shelter, education, supplies, operations, fundraising gaps and more. Learn more here about all the grants awarded in response to the pandemic.
Open Grants Focus on
Improving Community Health for All
GWCHF is currently accepting proposals for four open grant cycles.

Changemaker Grants provide support for agencies working to improve health equity for those they serve, while focusing on the social determinants of health.

Capacity Building Grants are for agencies looking to advance their missions by developing leadership skills or strengthening organizational efforts.

Health Equity Spark Grants spark community learning, reflection and dialogue on the topics of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Community Collaboration Grants provide support for partnerships that enhance community spaces where individuals can be active together.

Submitted proposals must directly support the communities served by the school districts of Dodgeland, Hustisford, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo and Watertown.

To date, the Foundation has invested nearly $13 million in its five strategic, child-focused priorities: Strong Families; Kindergarten Readiness; School Success; Social Emotional Wellbeing; and Healthy Eating/Active Living.
Celebrations & Welcomes!
The TalkReadPlay Center located at the Watertown Public Library is now open and serving families! The feedback has been wonderful, with many families engaging in play and programs that promote quality parent/caregiver-child interactions. There are more features being added to the Center this spring, so it's only going to get better! To learn more about the TalkReadPlay Center's opening, click here.
GWCHF was humbled and honored to be recently be recognized by the Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association for our work in supporting the early care and education sector. These partners work every day to build a solid foundation of health and learning for our youngest citizens. And without them, people can't work! They are true heroes who strengthen our families and communities.
New Faces at the Foundation
Welcome, Nate & Tom!
GWCHF is excited to welcome our new additions to our team!

Nathan Peters (left) is our new Chief Financial Officer. He will help guide the Foundation’s strategic vision and enhance our financial capabilities, investment strategy and portfolio. Nate brings several years of finance, commercial and small business banking experience to the Foundation.

Tom Linder (right) is our new Data Specialist. Tom will support the planning and evaluation of GWCHF investments to ensure they are moving the needle on priority indicators of health and wellbeing. He previously worked with data in healthcare, real estate and business settings.
920.390.4000
600 East Main Street, Suite 200, Watertown WI 53094