2023 Annual Report

We are all a piece of the puzzle

NOTES FROM OUR LEADERSHIP

2023 was a year of hope and growth as we worked diligently to address the lack of early childhood opportunities for young children, especially those living in low to moderate income families. As more centers and providers left the field, the need has continued to increase to a critical level meaning a waiting list that is well beyond capacity. The puzzle of solving this problem is coming together to form a more hopeful picture as we look to the future.

Giraffe Laugh has been awarded funds from the Workforce Development Child Care Expansion Grant to build a new Giraffe Laugh for 80 more children, adjacent to The Franklin affordable housing complex. Our Building Stronger Futures campaign is supporting the additional funding needed to complete the project to provide more equitable access to vulnerable children. In other great news, we are partnering with our good friends, the Boys and Girls Club, on their new location in Kuna where Giraffe Laugh will serve 66 children ages birth through five while the club will be able to serve up to 700 children ages 5-17. A continuum of care from birth to adulthood will happen in one building!

Our puzzle is expanding and while it has felt like scattered pieces in recent years, all of you helped us fit the pieces into a beautiful image that will double our impact in the coming year.Thank you for being a piece of the puzzle that makes magic happen for young children and their families in our community.

Lori Fascilla Executive Director

Resilience and Leadership. Those two words capture the past year of work being done at Giraffe Laugh. At a time when it’s almost daily news to hear of another childcare center closing, I’m grateful for the leaders of Giraffe Laugh and their vision for the future, the extremely talented and caring teachers, and the generosity of everyone who gives their time and money to this great organization. I know more than ever how much Giraffe Laugh’s service and our collective generosity is needed. If you haven’t already, I would urge you to attend a tour to learn more about the work being done.

Giraffe Laugh is succeeding at empowering families to build a strong foundation and providing the BEST start for children in our community. With curriculum catered to each child’s learning progress and education for parents to help during the toughest parenting years, we truly can see the future from here. I encourage you to look at the stats, at the families served, and imagine their stories. I’ve heard these stories, and I know Giraffe Laugh provides the support needed so that children can overcome challenges and build resilience.

Emily Solly 2023 Board President

As I serve my final year on the board, I want to express my gratitude. Thank you to the leaders at GiraffeLaugh and the Board for teaching me what passion, compassion, and drive can do for an organization. Thank you to the teachers, who give so much every day. Every. Single. Day. Thank you to the individuals and companies who support this organization with your time, your treasures, and your vision for a better community. Giraffe Laugh has thousands of success stories and I’m encouraged we can positively impact many more lives with your support. Thank you for helping families in our community.

OVERVIEW OF GIRAFFE LAUGH

Mission

To provide early care and education to young children by ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures

Vision

Every child in the Treasure Valley has access to quality early care and education, and all parents are supported through the early years of parenthood regardless of age or income.

Our Centers

We currently have two year round centers that serve children 0-5 years old, a school-year preschool program that serves children 3 5-5 years old and a summer program that serves school-aged children In 2024 we will add two additional full- time centers!

2023 Board of Directors

Emily Solly, President

Mike Sharp, Vice President

Sara Harvey, Secretary

Cassie Runyan, Treasurer

Alisa Bondurant

Amanda Broadnax

Connie Brown Olson

Dorothy Hardee

Vanessa Lewis

Briana McLaughlin

Brady Moore

Nikki O’Toole

Rocio Rivera

Values: R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Responsibility: modeling accountability to children, staff, parents, board, and self

Excellence: dedicated to the mission and values of Giraffe Laugh

Stability: maintaining a consistent environment for all families

Pride: instilling pride in our diversity

Education: cultivating a love of learning in children, staff, and parents

Caring: modeling patience and empathy for children and adults in a nurturing environment

Teamwork: committed to staff, parents, and board working together in the best interest of children

OPERATING INCOME

Tuition Income, $936,564 [53%]

Operational Fundraising, $772,751 [44%] Food Program, $30,451 [1%]

Federal grants were terminated ahead of schedule by the Idaho Legislature, putting our industry in crisis. In 2023, 86 child care centers in Idaho closed, in addition to 300 closures since 2020.

Understanding the incredible role teachers play in a child’s outcome, our board of directors chose to continue to pay teachers the wage enhancements previously paid by grants.

This decision helped stabilize our important workforce; however, the loss of grants combined with an increase in wage expense led to a deficit in 2023 which was covered with cash reserves

After conducting a market study and budget analysis, Giraffe Laugh chose to increase tuition in early 2024 to cover most operating and increased wage expense. Coupled with increased fundraising efforts in the coming year, income will be sufficient to ensure sustainability and stability for Giraffe Laugh.

The operating costs for two new centers opening in 2024 will be supported by Workforce Development Grants. These grants ensure a strong start and a strengthened balance sheet in the coming months.

OPERATING EXPENSES

[7%]

ENSURING SCHOOL READINESS

50% of IDAHO CHILDREN

are unprepared when they enter kindergarten

Children living in families experiencing poverty have a substantially lower percentage of kindergarten readiness. Every child deserves a secure, comfortable childhood, as well as access to quality programs that educate, strengthen and empower them.

100% of GRADUATES

from Giraffe Laugh were prepared and eager for kindergarten in 2023

168 CHILDREN

were served in our centers and programs in 2023.

“ Education is the key to opportunity. ”

“

We are so incredibly appreciative of this program. This was such a gift for his education and soul. It was the perfect way to start his education. ”

-Parent of Giraffe Laugh student

EMPOWERING FAMILIES

Parents and guardians are the most important people in a child’s life. Parenting is not easy, and when adults in a family feel connected and supported, they are empowered to strengthen their family 64%

Diversity Represented in 2023

“ Giraffe Laugh provided my family with stability. Watching the knowledge my son gained makes me excited for what’s to come. ”

-Parent of Giraffe Laugh student

2023 Giraffe Laugh Parent Opportunities

BUILDING STRONG FUTURES

29,131 meals served

The foundation for growth and development often begins with proper nutrition. In an effort to diminish food insecurity, we offer food pantries at all of our centers, ensuring regular access to an abundance of high-quality nourishment for our families and the surrounding community.

1 in 10 children go to bed hungry every night in Ada County

880 meals served to Giraffe Laugh families during the holidays in 2023

1,126 children utilized the Giraffe Laugh food pantries regularly in 2023.

941 adults utilized the Giraffe Laugh food pantries regularly in 2023.

“ Parents have peace of mind knowing their children eat healthy nutritious snacks and meals three times a day! ”

-Beverly Haugen. Site Director

JANE’S STORY

“ A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; above all, it teaches trust ”

-Gertrude Jekyll

Meet Jane Kuechle, a long time Giraffe Laugh volunteer Jane was born in Ft Knox, Kentucky Her dad was in the army during World War II He got discharged when Jane was 7 months old, and they moved to Oregon. Jane attended the University of Oregon, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Shortly after graduating, Jane then moved to Connecticut to be near her brother who was in the Navy. She met her husband, John, and they were married in Virginia where he was stationed. They later had two children. In 1974, they moved to Richland, Washington where Jane worked for the Girl Scouts. Jane’s family later moved to Seattle, where she developed her fundraising skills working for Camp Fire Boys and Girls and the United Way King County, each for 10 years. While employed at United Way she earned her Master’s Degree from Seattle University in Non-Profit Leadership. Jane then worked for AtWork!, a small non-profit that provides employment support services for people with disabilities. In 2015, when Jane and her husband were fully retired, they moved to Boise to be near family After moving to Boise, Jane searched for a non-profit where she could get

involved volunteering Fortunately, for Giraffe Laugh, Jane’s grandchildren were enrolled at one of their centers In 2016, Jane met Lori Fascilla, the Executive Director of Giraffe Laugh A short time later she began her years of volunteering with Giraffe Laugh Jane has put many of her skills and talents to work over the years, but she brought her passion for gardening to Giraffe Laugh in 2023. Jane learned about gardening from her father and after years of digging in the dirt and cultivating her own gardens, Jane decided to pursue her Advanced Master Gardener certificate from the University of Idaho Extension. She accomplished just that and brought the love of gardening to Giraffe Laugh preschoolers. Jane created a 4 week curriculum to teach the children about gardening through reading and eventually hands in the dirt She taught the children that plants need water, sun and soil to grow and thrive She and the children planted flowers and vegetables in raised garden beds Jane said “I loved working with the children and seeing how their knowledge about gardening grew ” Jane helped cultivate Giraffe Laugh students with knowledge, passion and hands on learning.

JACKIE’S STORY

“ A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils. ”

-Ever Garrison

Hello Giraffe Laugh families! I am Jacqueline Galligan I have been at Giraffe Laugh for almost 6 years I grew up in Middleton, Idaho My parents are Ismael and Cipriana Zuniga I was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to Idaho when I was a year and half I have lived in Idaho my whole life My parents have taught me so much about the value of work and education. Most importantly, they taught me to never give up on the things I believe in most. To this day they are my role models. I have a twin sister named Yadira and two younger siblings, Freddy and Jolette. Growing up I loved working with families and children. I have volunteered in schools and churches to help young ones achieve their goals. When I graduated from high school, I decided to go to U Of I (Go Vandals!). I graduated college with a degree in Child Development and Family Relations with a minor in Psychology. In addition, I met my husband during college. His name is Jason Galligan and we both graduated December 2017. We got married in October 2018 and since then have been married 5 years! My husband works at Micron as a shift supervisor

We bought our first home in December 2020 On December 17, 2021 we found out that we were pregnant Elijah Ismael Galligan was born on August 23rd, 2022 He is our world and brings us so much joy He is enrolled at Giraffe Laugh and has finally moved into the ones class At the moment, I am the Lead Teacher in the preschool class and Assistant Director at Giraffe Laugh on State Street. I love working with young children, especially ages 3 to 5. They bring so much curiosity and intelligence. I love seeing their smiles and eagerness to learn at school. In addition, since working at Giraffe Laugh I have learned so much from children in ways indescribable. They are intrigued and bring so much character in class that it makes the days go by fast. I enjoy teaching these young minds and watching how they thrive as they get older. It melts my heart when they say “Mrs. Jackie I missed you'' or “ I love you Mrs. Jackie, you are the best!” Have no doubt that working for Giraffe Laugh’s mission to ensure school readiness, empowering families, and building strong families has been my goal

GIRAFFE

DONORS

Sergio & Terrie Trevino

Patricia Truman

Cassandra Wagner

Dream Big Society

Amber & Scott Alexander

Renee & Ryan Bade

Alisa Bondurant

Laura Brown

Jessica & Tyler Budzianowski

Mary Chivers Adcox

Neva Geisler-Cook & David Cook

Stacy & Justin Courtial

Cassie & Shawn Cutting

Shannon & Don Drum

Jennifer & Ross Erickson

Alex Fascilla

Emily Fascilla

Joe & Lori Fascilla

Suzanne & Nathen Fox

Stacy Ware & Renae Goodwin-Ware

Katie Bosch-Wilson & Matt Harada

Dorothy Hardee

Linda & Jim Hardee

Howard & Antonia Hendrick

Kailey Holt

Sarah Mericle-Hoppell & Troy Hoppell

Richard Johnson

Julia Joy

Jane & John Kuechle

Neile & Gary Kyle

Brandi Wolf & Matt Lambert

Thomas & Tara Lloyd

Donna Dempster-McClain & John

- McClain

Conor & Courtney McGrath

Debbie & Steve Miller

Annie Fascilla & Zach Mitchell

Kristy & Nick Mitchell

Sue & Steve Moore

Teri & Richard Murrison

Asa & Chris Nims

Kirk A. & Carolyn Ross

Pamela Rybus

Thomas & Karen Sellin

Mike & Hannah Sharp

Tammi & Jeff Sharp

Jason & Rhiannon Smith

Traci Trefaller-Smith & Randy Smith

Emily & Kurt Solly

Jim & Patti Stevenson

Scott Summerlin

10

Jonna & Reed Weber

Corporate Sponsors

Boise Cascade Company

CapEd Credit Union

Community Development Inc.

Deloitte

ESI Cares, Inc.

Fairway Independent Mortgage

First Interstate Bank - Garden City

Fisher’s Technology

Idaho Central Credit Union

Norco, Inc.

Washington Trust Bank

Community Partners

Agri Beef

ALLWEST Testing

Bank of Idaho

Boys and Girls Club of Ada County - Moseley Center

Citizen Scientific Workshop

City of Good

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Cool Paw Woodcrafts

Facebook

Grand Teton Distillery

Greet Eagle

HealthWise

HP, Inc. Benevity

IDACORP Employee Fund

Idaho Association for the Education - of Young Children

Idaho Nonprofit Center

Idaho Retired Educators Association

Kroger

Lamb Weston

Race to Robie Creek - Rocky Canyon - Sail

TitleOne Corp

United Way of Salt Lake

Grants & Foundations

AmazonSmile Foundation

Bayer Fund

Bernie and Warren McCain Fund in - the Idaho Community Foundation

Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for - Health

Boise Cascade

Boise South West Rotary Foundation

Deoudes Children’s Foundation

Dix Brown Memorial Fund

Feldman Family Foundation

Fidelity Charitable

First Interstate Bank

Forever Idaho Southwest Grant in the Idaho Community Foundation

Gladys E. Langroise Advised Fund in - Idaho Community Foundation

Hansberger Foundation

Harad Family Foundation

Home Partnership Foundation, Inc.

HP, Inc.

Idaho Food Bank

Idaho Future Fund in the Idaho

- Community Foundation

Idaho Power Company

Idaho Workforce Development

- Council

J.R. Simplot Company Foundation

Kissler Family Foundation

Laura Moore Cunningham

- Foundation, Inc.

MDU Resources Foundation

MGI Foundation

Micki and Dan Chapin Education Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation

Mountain West Bank

POWER Foundation, Inc.

Rotary Club of Boise Foundation, Inc.

Rotary Club of Boise, Inc.

Scentsy, Inc.

Sid and Angela Sullivan Family

- Charitable Fund

St. Luke’s Community Health

- Improvement Fund

The Albertsons Companies

- Foundation - Nourishing Neighbors

The Halliday Foundation

The Jeker Family Trust

The Stu & Molly Guenther Charitable

- Fund

Tinstman Family Fund in the Idaho

- Community Foundation

United Way of Treasure Valley

Whittenberger Foundation

Scan for additional donor recognition!

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