Evergreen Start Secures $500,000 Grant to Strengthen Rural Child Care Across Northern NH

News
Written By Airole Warden

Evergreen Start, a new nonprofit organization created to strengthen and expand rural child care in Northern New Hampshire, has received federal 501(c)(3) status, established its inaugural Board of Directors, and secured a $500,000 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) to support its launch and growth.

Evergreen Start, a newly established nonprofit dedicated to strengthening rural child care in northern New Hampshire, has received federal 501(c)(3) status, announced its inaugural Board of Directors, and secured a $500,000 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) to expand child care infrastructure across the North Country.

The federal investment, awarded through the NBRC's Economic & Infrastructure Development Investment Program, was one of only sixteen projects funded statewide. The grant will help Evergreen Start build regional shared-service systems that strengthen child care providers, support working families, expand the rural workforce, and improve long-term economic resilience across northern New Hampshire.

Addressing One of Rural New Hampshire's Greatest Workforce Challenges

Access to affordable, sustainable child care has become one of the largest barriers to workforce recruitment and economic growth across rural New Hampshire.

Evergreen Start was created specifically to address that challenge by helping child care providers share administrative services that are often difficult for small programs to manage independently.

"Across northern New Hampshire, communities, employers, and families all recognize that child care has become a critical workforce issue," said Amy Graham, Chair of the Evergreen Start Board of Directors. "When child care programs struggle, the effects ripple throughout the local economy. Evergreen Start was created to provide the support systems that allow providers to remain strong, sustainable, and focused on the children and families they serve."

Building Stronger Child Care Infrastructure

Founded in 2025, Evergreen Start supports rural child care providers through shared services including:

  • Fiscal management

  • Human resources

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Administrative support

  • Strategic planning

  • Operational infrastructure

By reducing administrative burdens, the organization allows providers to spend more time serving children and families while improving long-term financial sustainability.

According to the Northern Border Regional Commission, the investment will help establish a regional back-office infrastructure model that strengthens workforce participation and employee retention throughout rural communities.

Child Care Is Economic Infrastructure

"Child care is no longer simply a family issue—it is an economic development issue," said Airole Warden, Executive Lead Consultant.

"When parents cannot find reliable child care, employers struggle to fill positions, businesses lose productivity, and communities lose opportunities for growth. This investment recognizes that strong child care systems are essential infrastructure for rural economies."

Regional Leadership

Evergreen Start's inaugural Board of Directors brings together leaders from:

  • Early childhood education

  • Business

  • Community development

  • Nonprofit leadership

  • Advocacy

  • Workforce development

The Board will guide development of a regional shared-services model specifically designed for the realities of rural communities.

Supporting Providers Across Northern New Hampshire

Child care providers throughout Coös County and northern New Hampshire continue to face significant challenges, including:

  • Workforce shortages

  • Administrative demands

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Financial sustainability

  • Limited capacity for expansion

Evergreen Start was designed to address these issues collaboratively, strengthening providers while helping communities expand access to high-quality child care.

During its first year, the nonprofit will focus on developing shared-service infrastructure, supporting participating providers, strengthening fiscal systems, and building partnerships with employers, municipalities, philanthropic organizations, and state agencies.

"Rural child care solutions require more than one-time funding or short-term fixes," said Warden. "They require durable infrastructure, trusted relationships, and a model that understands the realities of small programs and rural communities. Evergreen Start is designed to meet that need."

About Evergreen Start

Evergreen Start is a New Hampshire nonprofit founded in 2025 to strengthen the long-term sustainability of rural child care. Through shared fiscal, administrative, human resources, compliance, and operational services, Evergreen Start helps child care providers remain focused on children, families, staff, and the communities they serve.

About the Northern Border Regional Commission

The Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership supporting economic and community development across northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Through investments in workforce development, infrastructure, and economic opportunity, the Commission helps strengthen rural communities throughout the Northern Border region.

Airole Warden