Lincoln Littles

What Lincoln Littles does

Lincoln Littles is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based nonprofit organization fiscally sponsored by the Lincoln Community Foundation, focused on increasing access to and quality of early childhood care and education for working families with infants through pre-K aged children. Founded after the launch of the Lincoln Littles Giving Campaign in 2019 and formally established as an office in 2020, the organization operates across 9 Lincoln ZIP codes and convenes more than 40 child care providers and 51+ employer partners through its backbone role in the Lincoln Early Childhood Network (LECN).

Its core product surface spans three stakeholder groups: (1) families, served through ongoing and emergency tuition assistance plus an emergency response notification system; (2) child care providers, supported via Quality Enhancement Grants ($210,000 allocated in 2026 across 25 grants serving 1,931 children), Peer Mentor Program matching, and Step Up to Quality alignment; and (3) employers and the workforce, served through the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplaces Certification (launched October 2025 in partnership with the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development), a Workforce Program, and a Wellness Program with partner agencies. The organization functions primarily as a coordination and funding intermediary rather than a direct service operator.

Lincoln Littles is sustained by a diversified nonprofit revenue model drawing from annual giving campaigns, corporate partnerships, government grants (notably Nebraska DHHS child care subsidy programs), and the fiscal sponsorship infrastructure of the Lincoln Community Foundation. Cumulative funds raised since inception exceed $9.2 million, and the organization employs a small staff of 5, indicating a high-leverage model where grantmaking, convening, and advocacy are the primary value-creation activities rather than direct service delivery at scale.

Name

Lincoln Littles

Legal name

Lincoln Littles

Website

https://lincolnlittles.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lincoln Littles is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based nonprofit that expands access to early childhood care and education through tuition assistance, provider grants, workforce programs, and family-friendly employer certification, serving families, child care providers, and employers across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Tuition assistance programs
• Childcare provider support
• Nonprofit advocacy services
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Lincoln Littles operates as a fiscally-sponsored program of Lincoln Community Foundation. Donations support tuition assistance for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as program operations and initiatives. The annual Lincoln Littles Giving Campaign has raised more than $9.2 million since 2019.
2. Government Grants: The organization receives government funding including Department of Labor grants ($300,000 for workforce program), Joint Budget Committee funding, and supports providers through state subsidy programs administered by DHHS.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Lincoln Littles works with employers on childcare benefits solutions and receives corporate sponsorship for the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program through partnership with Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lincoln Littles is a nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to provide tuition assistance (both ongoing monthly and emergency) to families with young children in Lincoln, Nebraska. The organization also supports local childcare providers through technical assistance, quality enhancement grants, peer mentoring, and workforce development, while engaging employers through the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program. As the backbone of the Lincoln Early Childhood Network (LECN), Lincoln Littles coordinates systems-level advocacy for affordable, high-quality early childhood care and education.

Product overview

Lincoln Littles is a nonprofit organization (fiscally sponsored by Lincoln Community Foundation) that operates as a portfolio of early childhood support services rather than a single unified product. The organization's offerings include tuition assistance programs (ongoing monthly and emergency assistance for families), quality enhancement grants for childcare providers, the Peer Mentor Program for director support, the Workforce Program with professional development training, the Wellness Program for provider well-being, and the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program. Lincoln Littles also serves as the backbone organization for the Lincoln Early Childhood Network (LECN) and manages an Emergency Response Notification System for childcare providers. The programs work together to address the early childhood ecosystem through direct family assistance, provider capacity building, employer engagement, and systems-level advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lincoln Early Childhood Network (LECN): A network operated under Lincoln Littles that brings together educators, providers, and advocates to enhance early learning opportunities and strengthen the local early childhood landscape.
• Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplaces Certification Program
• Lincoln Littles Workforce Program

Products and services

• Ongoing Tuition Assistance Monthly tuition assistance for families with children under age 6 who do not qualify for state subsidy but earn at or below 80% Area Median Income and still need help covering childcare costs at qualifying provider programs.
• Emergency Tuition Assistance One-time emergency tuition assistance for families experiencing crisis situations such as medical, transportation, housing, or job loss events, paid directly to the childcare provider with no income eligibility requirements.
• Quality Enhancement Grants Competitive grant funding for local childcare providers serving children ages 0-5 in full-day, year-round programs, supporting quality improvements such as classroom materials, curriculum, professional development, and facility upgrades.
• Peer Mentor Program Mentorship program that matches new childcare directors with experienced providers to help navigate operating a childcare center, developing community, practical advice, confidence, and goal-setting in cohorts beginning each August.
• Workforce Program Professional development program providing training and support for individuals working in or interested in joining Lincoln's childcare industry, delivered via online, in-person, and Zoom training sessions.
• Wellness Program Year-long wellness initiative for early childhood providers spanning eight dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, occupational, spiritual, and financial) with monthly sessions, Zoom connections, mindful movement, peer partners, and digital journals.
• Lincoln Early Childhood Network (LECN) Backbone network convened by Lincoln Littles with three workgroups (Comprehensive Health, Support for Families, and Access to Quality Care and Education) that coordinates early childhood advocacy and system improvements across Lincoln.
• Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program Certification program in partnership with Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) that recognizes employers demonstrating strong commitment to supporting working families with young children; employers must meet at least seven of ten qualifying criteria.
• Emergency Response Notification System Provider database for contacting childcare administrators during emergencies, partnering with Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department, Lincoln Public Schools, and Lincoln Police Department on Standard Response Protocol and Relocation/Reunification training.
• Lincoln Littles/American Job Center Internship Program Six-week paid internship for unemployed individuals interested in early childhood education, with training by Lincoln Littles followed by placement at partner sites and compensation (up to 180 hours) provided through the American Job Center.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate Support Information and support services for individuals pursuing the Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate through the Council for Professional Recognition, connecting them to no-cost or low-cost pathways for obtaining the credential.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $9.2 million raised for early childhood programs since 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.

• Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025LPED partnered with Lincoln Littles to launch the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program, recognizing employers who support working families. LPED hosts the certification program application and maintains the public map of certified workplaces.
• We Care for Kids CampaignsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2022Lincoln Littles partnered with the statewide We Care for Kids/Por todos los niños campaign which launched June 15, 2022, helping build support for quality child care across Nebraska with 100,000+ reach.
• Lincoln Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln Community Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Lincoln Littles. The organization hosts the annual Lincoln Littles Giving Campaign and provides administrative infrastructure. Lincoln Littles addresses the Prosper Lincoln focus area on Early Childhood.
• American Job Center (AJC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln Littles partners with AJC to offer a 6-week paid internship program for unemployed individuals interested in early childhood careers. AJC provides compensation for up to 180 hours of internship work over 6 weeks.
• University of Nebraska Extension for Early ChildhoodmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Jaci Foged at UNL Extension for Early Childhood to develop and deliver the Wellness Program for early childhood providers, focusing on mental health and wellbeing support.
• UNMC College of NursingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNMC nursing students partnered with Lincoln Littles on the 'Lincoln Littles Stress Relief project,' developing stress-relief resources and wellness tips for early childcare providers.
• Lincoln LiteracymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to connect Lincoln Literacy students with early childhood workforce training and career opportunities. Lincoln Littles provides training classes while Lincoln Literacy refers interested students.
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHHS administers the Child Care Subsidy Program. Lincoln Littles serves families who have applied for and been denied state subsidy. DHHS also provides child care licensing and regulatory oversight.
• Lincoln Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to align emergency preparedness protocols (Standard Response Protocol) between early childhood facilities and public schools. Lincoln Littles works with LPS Security Coordinator to adapt SRP for childcare settings.
• Lincoln-Lancaster County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in emergency preparedness training and the Emergency Response Notification System. Health Department staff coordinate with Lincoln Littles on child care health and safety initiatives.
• Junior League of LincolnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide diapers for children receiving care through Lincoln Littles' qualified child care providers. JLL fundraises, collects, and packages diapers for families in need.
• First Plymouth ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Plymouth Church partnered with Lincoln Littles to connect with Las Abejitas bilingual preschool when their previous childcare partner closed after 50 years.
• Foundations NebraskasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravis Manley, president of Foundations Nebraska, co-leads the LECN Access to Quality Care and Education workgroup, developing system-level supports like sliding-fee calculators for providers.
• CEDARSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaegan Brown of CEDARS co-leads the LECN Support for Families workgroup, which organizes advocacy trips to the Capitol and the annual Early Childhood Family Fair.
• YMCA of LincolnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing content and resources to support the Lincoln Littles Wellness Program for early childhood providers.
• Nebraska Mental HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing content and resources to support the Lincoln Littles Wellness Program for early childhood providers.
• United WaysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing content and resources to support the Lincoln Littles Wellness Program for early childhood providers.
• Lincoln Children's MuseumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing content and resources to support the Lincoln Littles Wellness Program for early childhood providers.

Scale indicators12 records

Broad incumbents

• ReadyNation: National business-leader advocacy organization for early childhood investment as an economic/workforce issue. Comparable employer-engagement focus through the Family-Friendly Workplace Certification analog.
• Pritzker Children's Initiative: National early childhood funder and systems convener supporting state-level ECE coalitions. Comparable backbone role at higher scale and with primarily philanthropic capital deployment.
• Child Care Aware of America: National ECE organization providing resource/referral, advocacy, and provider training; a current Lincoln Littles partner via Emergency Preparedness grant. Larger, national-scale incumbent with overlapping provider-support and policy functions.

Direct peers

• NC Early Childhood Foundation: North Carolina statewide early childhood systems-change organization that builds coalitions across providers, employers, and policymakers. Directly comparable LECN-style network convening and policy-advocacy role.
• Quality Care for Children: Georgia-based child care resource and referral agency providing provider quality support, family navigation, and workforce development. Highly comparable operating model across family assistance, provider support, and quality enhancement.
• Build Initiative: National ECE systems-building organization that supports state and local coalitions to improve early childhood outcomes. Comparable backbone/convener function across multi-stakeholder networks, though operating at a broader national scale.
• Smart Start Oklahoma: Statewide public-private early childhood partnership funded by state appropriations and private donations. Directly comparable backbone model coordinating providers, families, and policymakers across an entire state rather than a single city.
• Start Early (formerly Ounce of Prevention Fund): Chicago-based nonprofit advancing early childhood policy and direct services through research, advocacy, and program funding. Comparable in operating a portfolio of ECE programs (home visiting, parent support, quality improvement) with backbone-convening functions.

Others

• First Five Years Fund: National federal advocacy organization for early childhood investment. Adjacent to Lincoln Littles' policy-advocacy work but operates at the federal appropriations level rather than community-service delivery.

Regional players

• Nebraska Children's Foundation: Nebraska child-advocacy and systems-change nonprofit that addresses K-12 and early-childhood issues statewide. Comparable regional mission focus but broader age scope and Lincoln-adjacent geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lincolnlittles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lincoln-littles
• Instagraminstagram.com/lincoln_littles

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Littles