Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is proud to share a significant transition in our continued work to increase child care capacity county-wide—a critical component of regional economic strength and workforce support.
As of April 2025, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) has assumed leadership of the Business Champions for Child Care Fund, a role previously held by Dubuque Initiatives in partnership with Greater Dubuque Development since the program’s launch in December 2023.
While our direct role in advancing child care workforce solutions is sunsetting, Greater Dubuque Development remains committed to fundraising efforts that sustain this vital initiative. This shift ensures long-term sustainability and a strong foundation for continued progress, while allowing Greater Dubuque Development to stay nimble and responsive to emerging community needs.
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque will now lead efforts to convene community conversations, engage business partners, diversify funding strategies, and expand support for child care providers throughout the region. This marks a strategic step in embedding child care workforce solutions as a permanent community priority in Dubuque County.
In January 2025, the Dubuque Childcare Collaborative secured $845,200 in new grant funding to support an expansion at the Bright Minds Campus at 7900 Chavenelle Road. The project will add 100 new child care slots, bringing total capacity at the Dubuque Y’s Early Learning Center to over 250.
Additionally, this month the Business Champions for Child Care program awarded $214,220 to 20 child care providers across Dubuque County, including in Cascade and Dyersville. These funds will support:
This transition underscores what we know to be true: child care is a workforce issue. Helping providers recruit and retain staff ensures working parents have access to reliable care—ultimately strengthening our regional economy.
Together, we’re building a community where YOU can be great here.
For more information or to become a Business Champion for Child Care, contact Rick Dickinson, President & CEO of Greater Dubuque Development, at rickd@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.