Get Assistance
Our mission is to help every child get a loving, nurturing start in life. That’s why Bloom dedicates up to half of our capacity for single parents and low-income families who otherwise could not afford quality early learning and childcare programs. Our Shirley Robinson Scholarship Fund was established to provide tuition assistance to community families in need.
While the majority of financial assistance for Bloom’s children comes from our Shirley Robinson Scholarship Fund, we work hard every year to help qualified families find additional resources. Some of our families are able to access financial assistance through our partnership with Caring for Kids (CfK).
We also partner with Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP), the Wayzata School District and government agencies to provide other support services and help empower families who are struggling. For more information on how to apply for Bloom’s Shirley Robinson scholarships or where to find other support, please contact Mary Olsen at 763-449-0600.
Scholarships
Bloom is very unique: we have a true passion to nurture each child and a literal mission to make it affordable. Up to half of our capacity is dedicated to children needing tuition assistance. Assistance can be provided from within Bloom (through our own Shirley Robinson Scholarship fund) or outside Bloom from sources such as County Child Care Assistance Program, State scholarships, Caring for Kids and others.
Our Shirley Robinson Scholarship Fund is named after the wife of Messiah’s pastor who originally challenged his congregation to help break the circle of poverty through the provision of high quality, affordable early learning and childcare. Shirley was dedicated to children and the community.
The scholarship fund relies on gifts from individual donors, businesses, faith communities and civic organizations, as well as fundraising events and grants. Each year we must raise over $350,000 to provide the tuition assistance these children need to attend our center.
Shirley Robinson Scholarships:
To qualify, your family must:
- either be registered in the Basic Sliding Fee (BSF)* for childcare assistance program or have a recent letter of acceptance into the program. The letter must be generated from the Minnesota county in which you reside, which places you on the waiting list for the BSF childcare assistance fund.
- remain current with BSF childcare assistance fund review process.
- report changes in household income and BSF status to the Bloom Early Learning & Child Care Directors as they occur.
- report when BSF waiting list status changes to active assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: Denial of county assistance does not mean you are ineligible for this scholarship, but you must apply. Contact us for more details.
To apply for a Bloom scholarship or get additional information on other forms of tuition assistance, please call the Bloom offices at 763-449-0600.
Bloom does not discriminate against any family due to race, gender, marital status, public assistance status or religious affiliation.
