Zosia Eppensteiner, Author at Community Foundation of Marquette County

Childcare SPARK – Building a Stronger Childcare Ecosystem

Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential for strong families, a thriving workforce, and a resilient regional economy. In response to a critical childcare shortage in Marquette County, the Community Foundation of Marquette County partnered with the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) and a cross-sector coalition to launch Childcare SPARK—an innovative, community-driven solution.

The Challenge

8,360 children in need of care
1,914 available childcare slots

More than 6,000 children lack access to childcare locally.

This shortage impacts working families, employers struggling to retain talent, and the long-term economic vitality of our region.

Rural communities face additional barriers, including limited transportation, fewer provider options, and a declining childcare workforce.

The SPARK Solution

A Childcare Business Accelerator

Childcare SPARK is a home-based childcare accelerator that equips local entrepreneurs with the tools to start and sustain successful childcare businesses.

What makes SPARK different? It connects early childhood expertise, business development, and community investment into one coordinated system.

Participants Receive:

Business planning and financial training
Licensing and regulatory support
One-on-one mentorship
Peer cohort learning
Start-up funding (up to $5,000)

A Model Built on Partnership

Community Foundation of Marquette County
Lake Superior Community Partnership
Great Start to Quality
Marquette-Alger RESA
Regional economic and education partners

This model links sectors that typically operate separately—creating new pathways for impact.

Measurable Impact

Outcomes from Cohort One

100% program attendance
24 hours of training per participant
30 new childcare slots created

Each new provider increases access for families and strengthens the local economy.

Graduates launched home-based businesses that support early childhood development, enable workforce participation, and build long-term community capacity.

Why It Matters

Workforce development
Entrepreneurship and small business growth
Equitable access to childcare
Regional economic resilience

“This work shows what’s possible when philanthropy, economic development, and education align around a shared goal.”

Looking Ahead

With strong early results, partners are expanding this work and investing in long-term sustainability.

2025 Childcare SPARK Playbook

Marquette County Child Care Endowment Fund

The Community Foundation has established a dedicated fund to support continued innovation and growth in childcare solutions.

Learn More

Explore Childcare SPARK

Childcare SPARK is a collaborative initiative that helps entrepreneurs launch home-based childcare businesses—expanding access for families while strengthening the regional workforce and economy.

The Zacchaeus Fund Distributes $180,000 to Local Nonprofits Working to Fight Homelessness and Assist People in Recovery

Every person deserves a safe place to fall asleep at night. With frigid weather blanketing the area, this reality is pushed to the forefront, and we are thankful for local nonprofit organizations working to address homelessness and provide recovery support and safety for vulnerable individuals seeking emergency and transitional housing. The Community Foundation of Marquette County (CFMC), on behalf of the Zacchaeus Fund, is pleased to announce the distribution of $180,000 in grants to nonprofits across Marquette County to support the important work of fighting homelessness and assisting people in recovery. The Zacchaeus Fund recipients include Great Lakes Recovery Centers for $50,000, The Women’s Center of Marquette for $40,000, Janzen House $30,000, the Room at the Inn $30,000 and Superior Connections RCO $30,000.

“This generosity is of great significance.” shares Zosia Eppensteiner, CFMC CEO, “The Community Foundation of Marquette County feels humbled and grateful to partner with anonymous donors who have established The Zacchaeus Fund to support local nonprofits who work to address the issues of homelessness and recovery.”

Jennine Frazier, Executive Director at the Women’s Center stated, “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the Community Foundation who helped establish a fund where caring community members can make a real and impactful difference in the lives of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The donors who are part of this fund understand the critical needs in our community.”

The Zacchaeus Fund was established to address the cycle of addiction and homelessness and support vulnerable populations toward recovery and stable housing. In partnership with the Community Foundation of Marquette County, The Zacchaeus Fund has provided invaluable support for these nonprofits and their missions both with this immediate grant funding and the goal of growing this fund to support these issues in the long-term.

left to right Brent Clark, Director, Janzen House; Zosia Eppensteiner, CEO, Community Foundation of Marquette County; Susan Payant, President, Janzen House; and Robert Kulisheck, Vice President, Janzen House.

Celebrate Community Together!

You’re invited to the Community Foundation of Marquette County’s 2022 Annual Celebration on Wednesday, September 14 at 5:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

The evening will be a celebration of the Community Foundation’s philanthropic impact on Marquette County and the work we do together as a community. We’ll share stories of our collective positive impact, including the Catalyst Awards presentation, which will honor local people, organizations, and businesses who’ve made a big difference in Marquette County. We’ll also share an exciting update on Kid’s Cove, Marquette’s Playground for All, which is in the home stretch of its campaign. And of course, we’ll enjoy delicious food and drink while listening to live music.

Join us for an inspiring evening!

Annual Celebration 2022 tickets

A Community of Belonging – Making Playgrounds Accessible for All

Thanks to Make it Marquette for “A Community of Belonging – Making Playgrounds Accessible for All, ” — a wonderful article by John Schiebe about Kids Cove and other local efforts and organizations that are making space and creating opportunities for inclusive, accessible play in our area. Featured is an interview with Nneena Ittner, leader of the Playground for All Committee, which is now in the home stretch of fund-raising for this amazing project.

“…When there’s a space for everyone – where there’s a mutually accessible platform where play and genuine human interaction can be provided every day – that’s the kind of lasting legacy that’s larger than just Marquette.” 🤸‍

Year-end charitable giving

As you work with your advisors on year-end planning, consider some of these giving strategies that will allow you to support the Community Foundation and charitable causes important to you while accomplishing tax savings.

Claim an Above-the Line Deduction in 2021

For single filers and married taxpayers filing separately, you can deduct up to $300 (or up to $600 for married taxpayers filing jointly) for cash contributions made to qualifying charities during 2021. Donor advised funds and supporting organizations do not qualify.

Bundle Your Gifts

If you plan to donate more than $600 to charity in 2021 and customarily take the standard deduction, consider a bundling strategy – making large gifts less frequently than regular annual gifts – and claim an itemized deduction in 2021. Bundling works well with a donor advised fund. You can bundle multiple years of gifts into a fund this year, take the itemized deduction, and make annual gifts to your favorite charities in the future from the fund.

Donate Appreciated Assets

Donating property that has appreciated can be a win-win for you: Not only will you be entitled to a charitable deduction at the fair market value at the date of the gift, you will avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation.

Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) with Retirement Assets

IRA owners who are aged 70½ or older can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly from their IRA to an eligible charity or charities, tax-free. For married couples, each spouse can make QCDs up to the $100,000 limit for a potential total gift to charity of $200,000, tax-free. If you are over 72, the QCD counts toward your required minimum distribution for the year.

Cash Gifts in 2021

For 2021 only, gifts of cash to qualified charities are deductible up to 100% of adjusted gross income (AGI). If you have significant assets, cash on hand, and low AGI, this may be a way to significantly reduce federal tax owed for 2021. The deduction available for a gift of cash to a donor advised fund remains at 60% of AGI.