Everyone For Girdwood! New, safe childcare center.

Join us in the EVERYONE FOR GIRDWOOD campaign, where we aim to raise funds for a much-needed new and secure childcare facility in Girdwood. Our goal is to collect $300,000 from local residents and Girdwood patrons. By donating, you will directly support the Girdwood Workforce Childcare Project, a collaboration between Girdwood Inc. and Little Bears Playhouse, Inc., two local nonprofit organizations responsible for bringing this building to life.

Girdwood faces both a childcare and housing crisis, which has put immense pressure on the local workforce, businesses, families, and the economy. These challenges extend beyond our community, impacting the available workforce and our ability to provide services to visitors who come to Girdwood for recreation. The splendor of our community relies on the people who live and work here. If they cannot thrive, neither can Girdwood. That is why we are urging EVERYONE to unite FOR GIRDWOOD! By addressing our childcare crisis, we are fostering prosperity for all in Girdwood.

The details….

After over a decade of work to get funding for a new facility, in 2022 the Girdwood Workforce Childcare Project was awarded $1.6 million by the Anchorage Assembly in American Rescue Plan Act funds. We are required to match $1.5 million of these funds by June 2024. To date we have raised $930,000 toward this match through other grants and donors. This leaves over $570,000 that we still need to raise in 6 short months

The new facility will replace the existing single-room Municipality-owned building which is severely outdated (it was built in 1960 by volunteers), has a roof with low snow load, and no longer meets the demands of the community. The new building will allow us to be able to care for over 100 children (the current enrollment is 30) and will include infant and after-school care, which is not possible in the current space. The new site was generously donated to us by Pomeroy Lodging and is located by the base of Alyeska Resort on Tract B. Plans for the new building have been designed by Skylab Architecture and construction is scheduled for Spring 2025. All we need is to raise some more funds!

The new facility will continue to be operated by Little Bears Playhouse, Inc., a nonprofit child care organization who has been providing childcare in Girdwood for over 41 years. It is the only licensed child care center serving the communities of Girdwood, Bird, Indian, Portage, and Whittier. The mission of Little Bears Playhouse is to provide an intentional, engaging, and nurturing learning environment that fosters the growth of each child.

Together, let's make a difference for Girdwood and ensure a brighter future for us all. What better way is there to invest, than in the next generation?

Learn about our Sponsorship Levels!

Gratitude Tree Donor Levels:

Little Bears Believer - Leaf - $100 - $499

Cub Contributor - Twig - $500 - $999

Black Bear Booster - Branch - $1000 - $4,999

Brown Bear Benefactor - Bough - $5,000 - $9,999

Grizzly Bear Grantor - Limb - $10,000 - $24,999

Polar Bear Patron - Trunk - $25,000 - $99,999

Bear Den Builder - Base of Tree - $100,000 - $349,999 (Classroom or Multipurpose Room Dedication opportunity + Gratitude Tree)

Ursa Major Angel “The Great Bear” - Roots - $350,000+

We are so grateful for any contribution you can make.

Thank you!

Girdwood Workforce Childcare Project Team

Girdwood Inc.

Little Bears Playhouse, Inc.