Childcare academy in BP launches fundraising campaign

With quality childcare becoming a major concern for parents and employers alike, a Blooming Prairie nonprofit organization is stepping up in an effort to alleviate those concerns.
But first the Leo Augusta Children’s Academy needs help from Blooming Prairie and surrounding communities. It has launched a $3 million capital fundraising campaign. So far the organization has raised $1.25 million.
“We are seeking community donations,” said Amy Hinzmann, chairperson of Leo Augusta. “We want this to be a community holistic approach to childcare.”
Leo Augusta is converting the former Minimizer corporate office on the north edge of Blooming Prairie into a childcare center. Craig and Robyn Kruckeberg donated the property in addition to a monetary donation totaling $1 million. Last month the academy received an anonymous donation of $250,000.
This week Leo Augusta announced a $350,000 fundraising match as a way to entice people to donate to the new center. A handful of donors has stepped up to offer a dollar for dollar match up to $350,000, which would turn into $700,000.
“Think about the $1 you donate and it’s actually going to be $2,” Hinzmann said. “We need to jump start things and what a better way to do it than basically a buy one, get one free type program,” she added.
Besides individual donors, Leo Augusta is targeting corporate donations from companies within a 30-mile radius of Blooming Prairie. Hinzmann said there is good reason for corporations to step up and donate.
“We have a childcare problem. One of the No. 1 headaches for employers is employees who have a hard time with quality childcare,” Hinzmann said. “Productivity decreases when parents have to worry about finding their kids daycare,” she said, adding on average parents lose 5% of their work week due to childcare problems.
In worst cases, employees are forced to quit their jobs because they can’t find childcare, Hinzmann said.
She knows the struggles facing employers. As CFO for Kruckeberg Industries, Hinzmann has noticed childcare issues often with their own employees. Kruckeberg Industries operates several companies in Blooming Prairie.
Hinzmann’s message to other companies is this: “We know you have a problem and we have a solution so let us help you. We can fulfill a real need that’s going to make a positive impact.”
Leo Augusta’s solution is being able to offer 144 daycare spots by next spring. “We are here to help get employees back to work and their child has a place to go,” Hinzmann said.
Doug Anderson, who is the center’s executive director, said having a facility like Leo Augusta is long overdue. “This is a great opportunity for families and to provide them with choices,” he said.
The unique part of the academy, Anderson said, is that the learning will be tailored to the individual needs of the child. “Our children will take a very active role in their learning. It will strengthen our children’s skills when they enter school,” he said.
Hinzmann said the last thing companies want to do is operate a childcare center within their own facilities.
There are also other opportunities available to corporations. Leo Augusta is also launching an aggressive marketing campaign by offering naming rights to the gymnasium, other rooms throughout the center, the outside of the building, website and social media platforms.
Hinzmann said they want to offer branding throughout the center. She offered an example of a donor having a passion for horticulture. In that scenario, she said they would come up with a package to feature horticulture for a specified period of time throughout areas of the center.
“We have so many unlimited opportunities with 18,000 square feet,” Hinzmann said.
She wants people to understand that Leo Augusta isn’t just for families with children and employers. “This project is an economic driver for the Blooming Prairie community,” Hinzmann said, noting it will provide 25 well paying jobs. “You should embrace this if you want your community to grow.”
In Minnesota, lead teachers with 2 or 4-year degrees are paid $16 to $18 per hour. Hinzmann said if the fundraising goal is met, Leo Augusta plans to pay $20 to $25 per hour, or $52,000 per year on the high end.
The key to being able to offer competitive wages or higher is to hit the fundraising goal so that the center doesn’t have significant debt, Hinzmann said, adding the rates charged to families will pay operational costs, including salaries.