Grand Island is short 1,500 childcare seats. Your gift will expand capacity from 115 to 300 + kids and will bring every YWCA service under one roof.

GRAND ISLAND’S CHILDCARE CRISIS

We hold Nebraska’s deepest deficit—1,500 spaces missing. Parents who can’t find affordable, high‑quality care leave the workforce; businesses lose momentum; children miss critical early‑learning milestones. Our current center is capped at 115 seats and turns families away each week. If we do nothing, the gap widens and multigenerational poverty deepens.

31% of Nebraska parents with children under five have left a job because they couldn’t find affordable care. —We Care for Kids Survey 2023

HOW WE’LL BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES

Transform an old building into a modern, new YWCA

Building Brighter Futures will transform the former Starr/Wyandotte school into a purpose‑built hub that:

  • Serves 300+ children every day—nearly tripling our current capacity
  • Houses every YWCA program on one site
  • Features an indoor playground for year‑round play
  • Prepares 500+ hot meals daily in a full commercial kitchen
  • Ignites early literacy with a dedicated children’s library
  • Protects infants and toddlers with separate, age‑specific playgrounds

Total project cost: $6.5  million. Lead gifts have launched us; now the community can carry the vision home.

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WHY GIVE

  • Close Grand Island’s childcare gap: your gift chips away at the 1,500‑slot shortage holding families and employers back
  • Create lasting equity: early childhood learning changes life‑long earnings and outcomes
  • Support beyond childcare: your dollar also supports literacy, health, and empowerment programs
  • Keep impact local: every dollar is invested right here, boosting the Grand Island workforce and community prosperity
  • Leave your mark: name a classroom or “Learning Leaf” and watch generations thrive because you acted today
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COST BREAKDOWN

Building Purchase

$500,000

Renovation & Systems

$4,570,000

Contractor Fees

$420,000

Architectural & Engineering

$385,000

Indoor & Outdoor Playgrounds

$200,000

Campaign & Administration

$125,000

Total Needed

$6,500,000

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does a former school cost $6.5 million to renovate?

This building was built in 1980. It needs new HVAC, permanent walls, child‑sized restrooms, a commercial kitchen, security systems, and ADA upgrades to meet today’s childcare licensing standards.

When will construction start?

As soon as we reach 4 million in commitments, construction will begin.

Can I pledge now and pay later?

Yes. Multi‑year pledges up to three years help us plan cash flow and still count toward our campaign goal.

Are gifts tax‑deductible?

YWCA Grand Island is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax‑deductible to the extent allowed by law.

What recognition opportunities exist?

Gifts of $3,000+ receive an engraved Learning Leaf. Larger gifts offer naming opportunities for classrooms, playgrounds, and program spaces—ask our development team for details.