As children across Wisconsin head back to school this month, FCI is proud to celebrate the educational and childcare centers that are essential to vibrant, thriving communities.
However, the current funding model for Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers—relying primarily on family payments and public subsidies—often perpetuates inequity. Low-income families are disproportionately affected, struggling to afford the high cost of quality care. While some qualify for childcare assistance, chronic underfunding has led to significant gaps in access, especially in historically excluded communities. This has resulted in thousands of census tracts with more than three young children for every available licensed childcare slot.
FCI is committed to addressing this inequity by partnering with educational and childcare institutions to create opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term success. Access to affordable, quality education and childcare is vital. According to a recent WEDA report, 4 out of 5 Wisconsin employers recognize the negative impact on the state’s economy due to parents’ limited access to affordable, high-quality childcare. The long-term economic effect of Wisconsin’s childcare crisis is estimated to be between $4.2 and $6.4 billion.
We understand the financial challenges these institutions face, from infrastructure improvements to program expansion. By providing flexible lending options, FCI has invested in the future, empowering families to strengthen the health and well-being of their neighborhoods. In this post, we’re highlighting some of the organizations we’ve had the honor to support.
Growing Schools in Madison and Milwaukee
In 2021, Milwaukee’s Washington Heights neighborhood was facing high levels of poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and a shortage of early childhood education options. Amid these challenges, Jo’s Early Learning Academy stood as a beacon of hope, providing a nurturing and safe space for young children to learn. When the academy needed capital to renovate one of its three properties, FCI stepped in to help secure the necessary funding for these vital improvements. Today, Jo’s Early Learning Academy has flourished, earning a five-star rating in Wisconsin’s Young star quality assessment system.
Our relationship with One City Schools in Madison dates back to its founding. In 2017, FCI owned the property that housed the South Madison Day Care Center, where One City Early Learning Center (OCEL) was planning to establish its preschool. FCI’s former president, Sally Martyniak – who is now a member of the One City Foundation board – played a key role in transitioning One City’s lease into full ownership of the property by 2018. Today, One City Preschool offers 2-4K preschool classes and operates Madison’s only free full-day 4K program.
New Market Tax Credit Initiatives
FCI’s expertise in utilizing the New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) Program has allowed us to provide low-cost capital with flexible terms to several educational institutions. In 2021, we partnered once again with One City Schools through the NMTC program to acquire the former WPS building. The acquisition of this property supported One City’s mission to offer affordable, high-quality preschools, community-based programs, and tuition-free grade schools that collaborate with parents and the community to prepare students for school and life success. Its unique curriculum blends foundational skills with project-based, expeditionary learning.
In 2022, FCI provided $4.5M in NMTC funds to finance the construction of the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire (CMEC), a multi-use community facility. This state-of-the-art space not only houses the children’s museum but also offers an early childhood education center for low-income youth, Peach Tree. The project, in partnership with the Family Research Center, expands access to Pre-K educational programming. The museum aims to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, low- to moderate-income, and all other children and families in Eau Claire and surrounding rural areas. It also provides wrap-around services for families and acts as an anchor in revitalizing downtown Eau Claire.
In the spring of 2023, FCI closed $15M in NMTC investments to support the Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy (DHFCA) High School and Middle School in Milwaukee, which included $11M for the high school and $4M for the middle school project. DHFCA focuses on developing students to be college ready and future college graduates through a vibrant culture of mentoring, rigorous academics, and early college experiences. The tuition-free public charter school serves over 320 students, primarily from Milwaukee’s north side, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college.
FCI is also proud to have partnered with other schools and organizations who are working to provide unique educational opportunities for children in Wisconsin, including:
Carmen Schools of Science and Technology (Milwaukee)
Eastbrook Academy (Milwaukee)
Community Coordinated Child Care (Madison)
A Shared Vision of the Future
Our commitment to educational institutions and childcare nonprofits stems from a shared vision of creating a more equitable future. By partnering with these organizations, we help strengthen the foundations of personal and community development and nurture future generations’ aspirations. We are proud to serve as a catalyst for positive change and remain dedicated to supporting the essential work of education and childcare professionals.
Together, we can build stronger communities, nurture future generations’ aspirations, and ensure that every child has the chance to realize their full potential. FCI looks forward to the opportunities ahead and remains unwavering in our mission to empower those shaping the future.
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