Childcare Investment Fund Launches with $50,000 philanthropic contribution

Michael and Elaine Moravan Foundation Challenge Public and Private Partners to Join In

The Early Childhood Council of La Plata County (ECC) has officially launched the La Plata Childcare Investment Fund with a $50,000 matching contribution from the Michael and Elaine Moravan Foundation. This philanthropic gift marks the first local contribution to the fund and will be matched with public revenues such as La Plata County’s lodging tax reallocation and the City of Durango’s discretionary lodging tax.

By combining public, private, and employer investments, the Fund aims to create 420 new childcare slots over the next three years in La Plata County. In its first year, the Fund seeks to raise $2.2 million—$1.2 million dedicated to increasing wages for early childhood educators and $800,000 to expand and stabilize childcare facilities.

We believe it is important to fund early childcare education at the front end of a child’s life. These formative years are critical in getting children to learn and shape the rest of their lives.

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The La Plata Childcare Investment Fund is a key strategy within the La Plata Childcare Strategic Investment Plan, developed by ECC and the La Plata Economic Development Alliance. The plan was shaped by input from over 300 community members, including most of the county’s licensed childcare providers, major employers, and local families.

Our county loses $34 million in wages annually due to childcare shortages. It is critical that our public, private, and philanthropic partners come together and invest in the clear solution this fund presents.

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The ECC, which has supported La Plata County’s early childcare system for nearly three decades, will administer the Fund. Since its founding, ECC has provided over $1 million in cash and $2.5 million in in-kind support to local childcare providers.

Community members are encouraged to read the full strategy and share feedback to help shape the future of childcare in La Plata County.

Learn more and provide comment at yeslpc.com/alliance-programs/childcare-strategy.

Full Press Release Read the Strategy