Let's Grow Kids Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Middlebury, Vermont. The organization operates as a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, which provides financial management, legal compliance, and investment oversight. Let's Grow Kids functions as both an advocacy and grantmaking organization focused on addressing Vermont's child care crisis through policy reform, community engagement, and direct support to early childhood education providers.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.7M
-32.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$266K
-76.2% YoY
Grant Count
2
-92.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$133K
+221.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To ensure affordable access to high-quality child care for all Vermont families by 2025.
The organization's work centers on three primary strategies:
- Community Engagement — Engaging Vermonters from all walks of life in solving the child care crisis
- Policy Reform — Reforming early childhood education policy to be inclusive, race-conscious, and culturally informed
- System Strengthening — Strengthening Vermont's child care system in partnership with early childhood educators
The organization addresses a significant need in Vermont: according to Census Bureau data cited by the organization, 7 out of 10 Vermont children under age 6 (approximately 18,000 children) have all available parents in the labor force and likely need child care. The organization identifies that 3 out of 5 of Vermont's youngest children lack access to needed care, families cannot afford available options, and early childhood educators cannot sustain themselves financially in the field.
Grantmaking
Let's Grow Kids makes grants focused on early childhood development and child care system strengthening. Based on recent grantmaking activity, typical award amounts range from $5,200 to $243,347.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Let's Grow Kids operates exclusively in Vermont, with a focus on ensuring that all Vermont children from birth to five have access to high-quality, affordable early care and learning.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $9,924,221
- Total Revenues: $3,089,473
- Total Expenses: $6,299,575
- Total Giving: $1,224,683
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,664,472
The organization maintains audited financial statements and files annual Form 990 tax returns with the IRS. Let's Grow Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Vermont with federal tax identification number 31-1802348.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,664,472 | $9,924,221 | $13,181,308 |
| Revenue | $2,719,800 | $3,089,473 | $7,279,233 |
| Expenses | $5,850,570 | $6,299,575 | $7,587,810 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $131,388 | $118,566 | $41,999 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
178 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children ($166,000), Building Bright Futures ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES WILLISTON, VT | DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN VERMONT'S EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM. | $100,000 |
| VERMONT ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN BURLINGTON, VT | TO STRENGTHEN VTAEYC'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT VERMONT'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS. | $166,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Aly Richards
The organization employs 34 staff members as of 2023.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DANIEL SMITH | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| RICK DAVIS | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| JENNIFER WILLIAMS | VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| TOM MACLEAY | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| LYNETTE FRAGA PHD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHELLE ASCH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRISTINE DODSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MEG SEELY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALYSSA CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALYSON RICHARDS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $210,189 |
| SARAH KENNEY | SR DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND FIELD | 40 | $129,282 |
| CHERYL CARLSON | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $117,931 |
| EMILIE TENENBAUM | CHIEF OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND STRATEGY | 40 | $116,615 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2023, Let's Grow Kids achieved several key accomplishments:
Inspired new supporters to join the campaign calling for policy change and increased public investment
Gathered input from Vermonters impacted by historical inequities to shape child care policy
Continued advocacy work around Vermont's child care system reform
The organization has been active in promoting legislative initiatives, including Act 76, which is designed to provide families with multiple children in care with greater financial assistance, recognizing that the high cost of care for a second child is a tipping point for many families.
Together We Grow Secures Grant Support to Strengthen Child Care ProvidersSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Let's Grow Kids Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** To ensure affordable access to high-quality child care for all Vermont families by 2025. The organization's work centers on three primary strategies: 1. **Community Engagement** — Engaging Vermonters from all walks of life in solving the child care crisis 2. **Policy Reform** — Reforming early childhood education policy to be inclusive, race-conscious, and culturally informed 3. **System Strengthening** — Strengthening Vermont's child care system in partnership with early…
How do I apply for a grant from Let's Grow Kids Inc?
Let's Grow Kids makes grants focused on early childhood development and child care system strengthening. Based on recent grantmaking activity, typical award amounts range from $5,200 to $243,347. **Recent Grant Activity:** • Awarded $100,000 to Otter Creek Child Center for Program Development (2023) The organization's funding priorities include Head Start grants, early childhood development grants, grants for charter schools, K-12 schools, and nonprofit child care centers.
Where does Let's Grow Kids Inc make grants?
Let's Grow Kids operates exclusively in Vermont, with a focus on ensuring that all Vermont children from birth to five have access to high-quality, affordable early care and learning.
What size grants does Let's Grow Kids Inc award?
In 2024, Let's Grow Kids Inc awarded 2 grants totaling $266K — an average of about $133K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Let's Grow Kids Inc's EIN?
Let's Grow Kids Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1802348. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Let's Grow Kids Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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