YWCA Minneapolis

Ready for Kindergarten. Ready for the Future.

A child's strong start shapes what comes next.

Your gift today keeps children connected to enriching learning experiences, caring educators and the stability families need during unexpected financial hurdles.

Give today and help more families hear the words:

"It's taken care of." 

Donate now to double your impact, help us reach our $50,000 goal, and help keep a stronger start accessible for more children and families. 

• $25: Puts diverse books into young learners' hands.
• $50: Helps provide access to STEAM-focused afterschool programs.
• $100: Provides a week of healthy snacks for a preschool classroom.
• $250: Funds a month of safety-focused swimming lessons for two children.

Thanks to a generous match from the Schulze Foundation, every new gift or increased annual gift will be matched up to $15,000! 

Make a gift here or text "READY4K" to 844-844-6844 to give

50 Years of Strong Beginnings

For 50 years, YWCA Minneapolis has been a trusted leader in early childhood education. 

At YWCA Minneapolis, we know that a child's strong beginning strengthens a family, and strong families strengthen our community.

Through STEAM learning, social-emotional development, and our unique WeCare curriculum, children learn to ask questions, solve problems, build healthy relationships, and better understand the world around them. Our education model integrates trauma-informed practices, family engagement, and a commitment to equity into every aspect of the learning environment. 

"The curriculum is teaching empathy. Empathy is tied to curiosity because you have to have curiosity about other things and places to ask questions and listen." 

 - Amiyah, a YWCA Ecolab parent

Preschoolers Are Ready for School and Beyond 

We're proud of the access we provide for young families and inspired by the dedicated teachers who support children in our centers each day.

But access is only part of the story. We're also helping close the school-readiness gap. After six months in our programs, 83% of children demonstrated age-appropriate development, and 91% of our preschoolers entering kindergarten in 2026 met school-readiness standards.

At the heart of our work is YWCA Minneapolis' one-of-a-kind WeCare curriculum which blends culturally celebratory care with anti-bias values through educational activities designed to help children identify injustice, explore needs in their communities, and learn how they can help. Through these activities, children develop skills in  Identity, Diversity, Justice, and Activism.

Our Early Childhood Education Enrichment Specialist creates science-based learning experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that bring STEAM concepts to life through hands-on exploration and discovery.

Curiosity and Care: The YWCA Experience

Emily and her children, Hazel (age 5) and Glen (age 2), like to cook from scratch and take care of animals. One day, Emily sent the children into their garden for some parsley. When they came back, Glen was excited. 

“Mama, it’s moving!” 

The children had found six black swallowtail caterpillars munching on the parsley. They kept them to observe and released them as they transformed

“What's that ‘M’ word Ms. Kristina taught you?” Emily asks her daughter. 

“Metamorphoses.” 

Protect the Joy

Last year, YWCA Minneapolis provided high-quality early learning to 525 children across 406 families and distributed more than $525,000 in financial assistance to help families access the care and education they need.

Among the families served:

• 53% were single-parent households
• 59% were low-income households
• 73% of children enrolled were children of color

When families face a setback, financial assistance helps children remain connected to the classrooms, teachers, and routines that help them learn and grow. 

Every child deserves the opportunity to remain connected to caring teachers, enriching learning experiences, and the strong foundation that prepares them for kindergarten and beyond. 

Click Donate or text "READY4K" to 844-844-6844 to make a gift.