The Encompass Endowment

Since its founding in 1919, Encompass has grown, thrived, and has become a leader in early education and quality care.  One of the reasons for this success is that Encompass is continually looking ahead and planning for the future.  An important element in its future security is the Encompass Endowment Fund.

Unlike our public schools and universities, early childhood education and child care receive no direct tax support.  Because of this, child care is very expensive.  It is often less expensive for a parent to send a child to college (annual tuition/fees at UW-Madison was $8,313 in 2009) than it is to send an infant to an early education/child care center.  (The annual cost for a child under age two is approximately $11,550-about $46 per day - at most licensed day care centers in our area.  This rate is actually low for the area and much lower than many larger cities.)  It is easy to see why most families cannot afford the cost of child care.  Encompass works closely with United Way, Service League, and other grantors and donors like you, in order to offer scholarships or subsidies to families based on their incomes and our sliding fee.  Encompass is the only child care center in Brown County to offer this sliding fee. 

Today, a growing endowment fund is absolutely critical for an organization's future health and, in many cases, survival.  Social agencies, such as schools, universities, hospitals, were often the recipients of government tax dollars, church funds, or other public financial support.  Unfortunately, economic times have changed, our society's needs are growing faster, and government and church budgets can no longer support social agencies to the extent they did in years past. 

About 20 years ago, the Encompass Board of Directors realized that creating an endowment fund was a wise thing to do.  Only the interest generated by the principal is used by Encompass to help support a wide variety of programs, services, staff support, and activities.  By increasing the size of our endowment, Encompass will be able to respond more quickly to the changing needs of children.  A separate volunteer Foundation Board oversees the investments and approves all expenditures from the Encompass Endowment Fund. 

Support the Encompass Foundation

When you make a donation to our foundation, your gift is never spent.  It is added to the fund and only the interest generated from the total fund principle is spent.  Your gift will continue to grow and will help educate and care for young children into the future.  You are truly investing in tomorrow's society. 

Consider a gift to the Encompass Endowment Fund in honor or in memory of a very special person.  It is easy to do and such a tribute will let them know how much you value them and their love for children.  Your gift will be acknowledged with a card made by an Encompass child and sent to your friend or your friend's family telling them of your gift.

Download and print a donation form here