Minnesota’s child care system is in crisis, and lawmakers must act to stabilize providers, support the workforce, and strengthen the state’s economic infrastructure.

Nonprofit child care centers across Greater Minnesota are using creative fundraising strategies—like raffles, community events, and holiday-themed sales—to engage supporters, build partnerships, and sustain their missions.

A flexible, tech-enabled, employer-backed child care model is helping stabilize providers, support working families, and meet the 24/7 needs of today's workforce.

Rural Pathways co-founder Staci Gilpin weighs in on the child care crisis in Minnesota in a recent op-ed for the Duluth News Tribune.

Effective nonprofit networking starts by focusing on how you can help others, using thoughtful questions to spark collaboration and build community-centered partnerships.

Navigating government grants can be challenging, but with the right strategies and support, rural nonprofits can secure funding to advance their mission and strengthen communities.

Expanding access to child care in rural communities is a bipartisan issue that strengthens local economies, supports working families, and ensures all children have access to quality early learning opportunities.

Professional women’s sports are modeling how employers can treat child care not as a perk, but as essential infrastructure that boosts performance, retention, and equity across the workplace.

Aligning strategic planning with budgeting and funding decisions helps mission-driven organizations build sustainable financial strategies that reflect their values, engage stakeholders, and support long-term impact.

Rural communities can escape cycles of decline by investing in people-centered infrastructure—like child care and housing—to build long-term economic and social resilience.

Small nonprofits can strengthen donor retention by personalizing communications, offering diverse engagement opportunities, promptly expressing gratitude, demonstrating impact, and implementing recurring giving programs—ensuring long-term support and organizational stability.

Rural Pathways works extensively with rural childcare centers, but one key question remains for caregivers: How do you know when child care is no longer needed?

Rachel Phelps, an executive coach and Rural Pathways Affiliate, emphasizes that supporting Gen Z in the workplace requires adaptability, inclusivity, and clear communication.

Environmental scanning is a strategic tool that helps organizations—both businesses and nonprofits—analyze external factors, identify opportunities and threats, and make informed decisions to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.

Grant expert and bestselling author Holly Rustick unpacks federal grant changes—banned words, executive orders, and funding shifts—in her latest blog, with a free Federal Grant Trigger Word Replacement Checklist to help nonprofits stay compliant and competitive.

At the 2025 Nonprofit Finance and Sustainability Conference, Rural Pathways led a panel on sustaining childcare nonprofits, exploring funding strategies and the critical connections between childcare, housing, and workforce sustainability.

Strong grant proposals require careful preparation, alignment with funder priorities, clear objectives, and a structured approach.

Join the Rural Pathways Research Panel to share your insights through surveys, focus groups, or interviews. Help shape the future of rural organizations and businesses!

Employer-supported child care boosts workforce productivity, economic growth, and employee retention while leveraging tax incentives to create a more competitive and family-friendly business environment.

Strategic planning and sustainable funding go hand in hand, providing organizations—whether nonprofit or for-profit—with a clear blueprint to align their goals, prioritize resources, and secure long-term financial stability.