Birmingham Cohort | Spring 2026

About the Program

The Women’s Foundation of Alabama (WFA) created the Advancing Alabama Child Care Accelerator as a critical part of our multi-pronged approach to addressing the child care crisis impacting families nationwide. Through this accelerator, we invest in women business owners, support peer community, and leverage proven business growth strategies to advance sustainable, community-based child care solutions.

Click here to apply.

Click here to download the informational packet.

Limestone County Cohort

Launching in April 2026, the Limestone County Advancing Alabama Child Care Accelerator is designed to support center-based and home-based child care providers who are starting or expanding high-quality, thriving child care businesses that meet the needs of working families in Alabama. Businesses accepted into the cohort will join a community of peers and receive high-quality training and coaching from business and child care experts across the state, along with access to tools, resources, and funding opportunities aimed at strengthening operations and increasing the supply of child care seats in Limestone County.

What Participants Receive
Participants will receive 12 weeks of business training, individualized coaching, opportunities to build their professional network, and the chance to secure grant funding for their child care business.

Training topics include:

• Business planning and implementation
• Contract negotiation and management
• Business model evaluation
• Customer journey mapping and customer service
• Marketing strategy and support
• Accounting, budgeting, and human resources
• Accessing additional funding

Funding Opportunity
At the conclusion of the training program, participants will be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $25,000 from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama to support the launch or expansion of their child care business. Additional details about the funding application and review process will be shared with individuals selected for the Fall 2026 Reinvest Birmingham cohort.

Time Commitment
Participants must be able to commit 3–5 hours per week to training and program activities.

Eligibility Criteria

-Be 18 years of age or older

-Have plans to open or expand a child care business

-Be based in or serve families within Birmingham, AL

Preference will be given to businesses located in the priority communities of North Birmingham, Northside, Smithfield, and Pratt City.

Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in starting or growing a child care facility and defined business goals with a clear articulation of their current business status

Program Timeline

-Applications Open: October 5, 2026

-Applications Close: October 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST

-Cohort Interviews: October 26–30, 2026

-Applicant Notifications: November 2, 2026

-Program Start: November 16, 2026

Questions?

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the applicant webinar, where program staff will answer questions live. For additional questions, please email
community@wfalabama.org.