St. Croix Valley Foundation Awards Early Childhood Grant Funding

The St. Croix Valley Foundation has announced $167,000 in grant funding for 13 organizations across western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.

According to a press release from the organization, the grant funding is meant to help the chosen organizations support area children through the first three years of life. It’s the second year of the St. Croix Valley Foundation’s First Thousand Days Grant Program.

Officials say the first three years of a child’s life is critical for physical, mental, emotional, and social development. Research has shown early childhood investments can pay lifelong dividends for kids.

Four of the 13 grant recipients will exclusively operate in western Wisconsin counties. In Pierce County, Elsie’s Barnyard will receive a $3,000 grant and the Pierce County Public Health Department will receive an $8,000 grant. Western Dairyland EOC in St. Croix County will receive a $5,000 grant. Larsen Family Public Library in Burnett County will recieve a $1,000 grant.

Four of the other grant recipients will operate with a more regional focus across western Wisconsin. Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley and Reach Out and Read Wisconsin will each receive the largest grant award of $30,000 for general operating expenses. Lakeview Hospital will also receive a $30,000 grant for its Little Moments Count program. Family Friendly Workplaces, Inc. will receive a smaller grant award of $5,000 for operating expenses.

Funding for the grant awards comes from the First Thousand Days Field of Interest Fund. The St. Croix Valley Foundation established the fund in 2022 with support from Bill and Rita Lawson of Somerset, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin officials have highlighted increased childhood spending in recent months. Earlier this year, Governor Tony Evers declared 2025 as the “Year of the Kid” in his state of the state address. The declaration highlights his focus on increasing education spending.