Fundraising, Community Partnerships, and Storytelling Fundamentals for Family Child Care Associations and Networks

This powerful session is will be facilitated by Jerletha McDonald designed for family childcare association and network leaders who are ready to strengthen their impact through fundraising, community partnerships, and the art of storytelling.

She will guide participants through real-life, innovative strategies that move beyond traditional fundraising.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze innovative fundraising approaches and differentiate them from traditional methods to identify strategies that align with their association or network’s mission.
Evaluate potential community partnerships by assessing their capacity to strengthen impact and expand organizational reach.
Develop and practice storytelling techniques that effectively communicate the value and vision of family child care to stakeholders and supporters.

Jerletha McDonald

CEO, Family Child Care CEO & NAFCC Affiliate

Family Childcare CEO

Empowering Family Child Care Providers

Jerletha McDonald is a social entrepreneur, family child care business consultant, and national speaker. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies with a minor in Early Childhood Intervention from Stephen F. Austin State University. For 15 years, Jerletha owned and operated Nurturing Gifts Infant and Toddler Center, a family child care center. She is the founder of the Arlington DFW Family Child Care Network and has over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.

Jerletha served as the Senior Manager of Membership and Volunteer Affairs for the National Association for Family Child Care for 3 years. She now works as a family child care consultant and subject matter expert specializing in Family Child Care. Jerletha has a special interest in the economic development of women of color in early care and education, with a primary focus on Family Child Care. Jerletha works with family childcare entrepreneurs to help them transition into regulated operations, build sustainable business models, and develop financial plans. She has conducted trainings on business mindset, marketing, leadership development, family child care startups, and more. Jerletha has also presented keynotes and workshops at local, state, and national events.

In April 2016, Jerletha was recognized by the Grand Prairie NAACP as one of the Most Influential Women in Business. In 2018, she was appointed to Governor Greg Abbott's Early Learning Council, representing family child care providers in Texas. In 2020, she received the North Texas Early Childhood Leadership Award from Child Care Associates.