Put a school in the hands of the people who run it.
The Seedling Fund acquires privately-owned daycares and preschools — schools that would otherwise be sold to chains or close — and makes them 100% employee owned. Every dollar you give goes toward a specific, named acquisition. When we close, you know exactly which school, which teachers, which children.
Why It Matters Now
Thousands of independent preschools and daycares were built by baby boomers who are now retiring with no succession plan. The most likely outcome without intervention is a sale to a private equity chain or permanent closure. The Seedling Fund steps in before that happens. We structure each school as a 100% employee-owned enterprise through an ESOP — teachers go from workers to owners, the school stays in the community, and the quality of care improves when the people doing the work have a real stake in the outcome.
High turnover has long been the defining problem in early childhood education. Ownership changes that. When teaching becomes a career with real equity rather than a stepping stone, children get consistency, stability, and teachers who are invested in more than a paycheck.
Every $3 Million Transitions One School
Each acquisition requires approximately $3 million in philanthropic capital. That covers the purchase, the ESOP structure, legal and trustee fees, and operating reserves. 85–90 cents of every dollar goes directly to making the acquisition happen — not overhead.
Gifts are associated with a specific named school. When we close our first acquisition, donors receive an impact report with the school’s name, location, teacher-owner count, and the children it serves. This is not a general fund — your gift has an address.
The model is also revolving: schools begin repaying acquisition capital in Years 5–7, which recycles back to fund the next school.
Ways to Give
Named founding supporter of The Seedling Fund’s first acquisition. Recognition in all school-level impact reports.
Named sponsor of a specific school transition. Permanent recognition on-site and in annual reports. Invited to the closing ceremony.
Lead donor for a full school acquisition. Named in all materials related to that school. Direct relationship with the teacher-owners.
Tax-Efficient Giving
Appreciated stock gifts eliminate capital gains entirely — you receive a full fair market value deduction while the gain is never recognized. For clients in the 37% bracket with a low-basis stock position, the effective cost of a $200K gift can be as low as $0.25 on the dollar.
DAF grants, cash gifts, and check or ACH transfers are all welcome. Full IRS documentation provided for every gift. EIN: 85-2297864.
If you work with a financial advisor and are considering a larger gift, we can provide a one-page tax scenario memo tailored to your specific asset and bracket. Contact Becky directly.
How to Give
- Online (card, ACH, or DAF): Use the button below — all major methods accepted.
- Check or bank transfer: Instructions for mailing a check or initiating an ACH transfer are on our major gifts page.
- Appreciated stock or DAF grant: Contact Becky for transfer instructions and documentation.
Questions? Contact Becky at becky@seedlingfund.org or 386-280-7333.
The Seedling Fund / All Kids Education LLC is a 501(c)(3) public charity. EIN 85-2297864. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor regarding your specific situation.