Buuck Foundation Supports Statewide Early Childhood Initiative

The Buuck Family Foundation has supported the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative with a $120,000 grant. The Buuck grant will be directed to the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations and then to partner communities within each MIF region.

To date these communities have formed early childhood coalitions, headed by a local community coordinator, which are now in different stages of the program. Funds will be used to support various early childhood education and development activities and programs.

According to Lin Wahlberg, early childhood development specialist at Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji, the partner communities have developed unique priorities, based upon their particular needs and situations. "Projects funded by the Buuck Family Foundation grant are required to advance school readiness and originate with the coalitions," Wahlberg said. "They must be likely to make a difference in the lives of young children, improve the level of school readiness, and address priorities emerging in the visioning session."

Wahlberg added that broad areas to be addressed by local projects include:

• Early Care and Education - improving access to safe, nurturing, high quality care and education for all of a community's youngest children.
     
• Family Education and Support - linking families to an array of educational opportunities and community supports to nurture and meet the needs of their young children.
     
• Business and Community Involvement - building awareness and advocacy among business people and other community members so they may become champions for the youngest children.
     
• Coordinating Resources - providing a seamless network of support and education, avoiding gaps and duplication, while promoting awareness and outreach.
     
• Celebrating Community - creating a community where kindness, respect, acceptance and support are shown for all children and families.

"We are hopeful that other funding partners and donors will take steps to join the Early Childhood Initiative campaign for our youngest children," said Bob Buuck, president of the Buuck Family Foundation. "All of Minnesota's kids need the opportunity to thrive and receive the stimulation and encouragement necessary for healthy development. It can happen with the support of businesses, law enforcement, parents, churches and schools all moving in the same positive direction."

The Buuck Family Foundation was established in 1994 to serve as a primary gifting vehicle for the Robert and Gail Buuck family in their charitable activities. The foundation's funding priorities include education, arts and culture, environmental, health, social and community, and international. The principal focus for gifts from the foundation is the Twin Cities greater metropolitan area, as well as certain other Minnesota locations where the family has an interest in local and regional institutions and activities.

The Minnesota Initiative Foundations consists of six regional foundations serving rural Minnesota: the Initiative Foundation, Little Falls; the Northland Foundation, Duluth; the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Bemidji; the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Owatonna; the Southwest Minnesota Foundation, Hutchinson; and West Central Initiative, Fergus Falls.

The MIF-led Early Childhood Initiative is closely linked to Ready 4 K, a five-year statewide grassroots campaign started in 2002. A coalition of parents, early childhood professionals, and concerned citizens, Ready 4 K is building broad support to have all of Minnesota's children on the pathway to success in school and in later life. Ready 4 K will assist the MIFs in organizing and engaging local participation for the Early Childhood Initiative within their respective regions.

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