Association of Women’s Business Centers and Stearns Bank Launch Childcare Accelerator Program

National Program will Prepare Licensed Childcare Providers to Grow, Scale and Optimize Operations

[Washington, D.C. – July 15, 2025] — The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), in partnership with Stearns Bank, is pleased to announce the launch of the WBC Childcare Accelerator Award Program. The new program is launching with the goal of helping licensed childcare providers scale and strengthen access to childcare services in their communities.

Stearns Bank, a majority women-owned and governed national financial services institution, has committed $875,000 to support the new Childcare Accelerator Award Program, which will be distributed as follows: 

• Seven (7) Women’s Business Centers will be awarded $25,000 and serve as accelerator program hubs.
• Each hub will select ten (10) local childcare providers who will receive a $10,000 award upon local accelerator program completion.
• All local accelerator programs will kick off Summer 2025.

“Licensed childcare providers are essential business owners who play a critical role in their local economies,” said Corinne Goble, CEO of AWBC. “Women’s Business Centers have a strong track record of delivering successful childcare programs, and this contribution from Stearns Bank allows us to build on that momentum and address the growing, nationwide childcare crisis. This program is designed to give providers the tools and support they need to grow while meeting the rising demand for accessible, high-quality care.”

“We’re proud to be partnering with the AWBC and increasing access to quality childcare services in communities nationwide. Through this new Childcare Accelerator Program, we’ll be providing essential funding to equip local childcare providers with tailored solutions that expand their operations and enable them to serve an even greater number of families,” said Kelly Skalicky, CEO of Stearns Bank. “At Stearns Bank, we’re guided by our mission of empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs to reach their full economic potential; we put our money where our mission is, and this program is just one example of how we build national solutions to drive local impact.”

After a competitive review and selection process, the following seven centers have been chosen as Childcare Accelerator Program hubs for their proven ability to serve childcare businesses in their respective areas.

• Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center – Lyons, Nebraska
  
• Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  
• El Pájaro Women’s Business Center – Watsonville, California
  
• National Association for Family Child Care – National, Washington, D.C.
  
• North Dakota Women’s Business Center – East – Bismarck, North Dakota
  
• Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) – Santa Barbara, California
  
• WomenVenture – St. Paul, Minnesota

Through the Accelerator Program, local childcare providers in each market will engage in tailored hands-on training, personalized technical assistance, and guidance in financial services. Childcare providers located in or near one of the seven hub cities are encouraged to contact the Center to learn more about available resources and services.

This innovative Childcare Accelerator Program comes at a time when access to affordable, quality childcare remains a major challenge across the U.S., limiting workforce participation (especially for women) and holding back economic growth. 

At the same time, childcare providers face persistent challenges: limited access to capital, staffing shortages, complex regulations, and razor-thin operating margins. This program will address these barriers by helping providers scale operations, expand services, and improve financial sustainability. 

About AWBC

The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is the leading national voice and resource for igniting the economic power of women’s entrepreneurship. AWBC advocates for and supports a network of over 150 Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) across the United States. These centers provide entrepreneurs with free coaching, networking opportunities, small business resources, training, and more. AWBC’s mission is to ensure that small business owners have the tools and support they need to succeed in business and contribute to the broader economy.

About Stearns Bank

Stearns Bank National Association is a majority women-owned and governed financial services institution committed to empowering people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities to reach their full financial potential. As a privately held, employee-owned entity, Stearns Bank offers a wide array of national products and services including consumer and small business banking, affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and equipment and small business financing. Headquartered in Minnesota, the well-capitalized institution has branch locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Guided by a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the nation’s highest performing banks and ‘Best Banks to Work For’ by American Banker. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at www.StearnsBank.com.