The 2026 Wisconsin Stack: Grants + Credits
⚠️ Partner Up! Has Ended — But Wisconsin Has a New Path!
Partner Up! (Project Growth) was not renewed in the 2025-27 biennial budget. No new applications are being accepted.
The 2026 Solution: Wisconsin launched "Get Kids Ready"—a $65 million state-funded program for the 2026-27 school year. It pays providers directly to cover tuition for 4-year-olds. For younger children (0-3), use the Schreiber Stipend Model + Federal 45F.
Claim 40% (Large) or 50% (Small Business) of qualified child care expenses.
NEW state program pays providers directly for 4-year-old tuition. Use stipends for ages 0-3!
✅ 45F is Permanent — Your Long-Term Strategy
Partner Up! proved that grants are temporary. The Schreiber Foods model works forever because it uses the permanent Federal 45F Credit. Under the 2026 OBBBA expansion, the cap is now $600,000/year for small businesses and $500,000 for large businesses.
🧀 WI Success Story: Schreiber Foods (Green Bay / Richland Center)
The global employee-owned dairy giant proves you don't need to build a center to make an impact.
The Schreiber Model: $5,000 Stipends + TOOTRiS
- The Challenge: Recruiting shift workers in rural "child care deserts" like Richland Center
- The Benefit: Schreiber offers eligible employees up to $5,000 annually to pay for child care
- The Tech: They partnered with TOOTRiS to administer the stipend—employees find providers (including non-traditional hours) and the $5,000 is paid directly to the facility
- The Adoption: In their initial pilot at Richland Center, 11% of the workforce enrolled immediately, proving massive demand
💰 The 45F Strategy
"Schreiber proves you don't need to build a center to make an impact. By offering a $5,000 stipend, they created a 'Qualified Child Care Expenditure.' This allows them to claim the Federal 45F Credit (up to $600k/year under OBBBA 2026) to offset the cost of these payments."
🎯 Why This Wins for Wisconsin Employers
- Grants Are Gone: Partner Up! has ended. The Schreiber model works forever using permanent Federal 45F. Pair with "Get Kids Ready" for 4-year-olds.
- Clarifies "Qualified Expenses": Many employers think 45F is only for building centers. This proves you can use it for Stipends ($5k).
- Solves Rural Pain: Richland Center is a perfect example where "finding a spot" is as hard as "affording a spot"—TOOTRiS solves both.
🌟 Get Kids Ready: Wisconsin's NEW $65M Program (2026-27)
Partner Up! has ended. Here's what replaced it.
⚠️ Partner Up! (Project Growth) Has Ended
As of the 2025-27 biennial budget, Project Growth (which included Partner Up!) was not renewed. No new applications are being accepted.
How Get Kids Ready Works
- Budget: $65 million state-funded program
- Launch: 2026-27 school year
- How It Works: Pays providers directly to cover tuition for 4-year-olds
- Employer Strategy: Use the Schreiber Stipend Model to cover the "other half" of the day or for younger children (ages 0-3)
💡 The 2026 Strategy
"Get Kids Ready" covers 4-year-old tuition. Use the Schreiber stipend model + Federal 45F for ages 0-3 and for the "other half" of the day. This combination gives your employees comprehensive coverage across all ages.
Wisconsin-Specific Example: The Schreiber Model
A Green Bay manufacturer offers $5,000 stipends to 30 employees.
| Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Stipends (30 employees × $5k) | $150,000/year | Qualified Child Care Expenditure |
| Federal 45F Credit (50% Small Biz) | -$75,000 | Direct tax credit |
| Business Expense Deduction (~25%) | -$37,500 | Reduces taxable income |
| Your Net Cost | ~$37,500 | Just $1,250/employee! |
💰 The Wisconsin Advantage
Benefit Value: $5,000/employee | Your Net Cost: ~$1,250/employee
Offer a $5,000 child care benefit for just $1,250 per employee—a 75% discount using the permanent Federal 45F Credit!
Wisconsin Compliance & Resources
📋 Child Care Licensing (DCF)
All facilities must be licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF).
DCF Child Care →⚠️ Partner Up! — ENDED
No longer accepting applications. Replaced by "Get Kids Ready" ($65M for 4-year-olds).
🌟 Get Kids Ready (2026-27)
NEW $65M state program. Pays providers directly for 4-year-old tuition.
DCF Child Care →📄 Federal Form 8882
File IRS Form 8882 to claim the federal Section 45F credit on stipends or facility costs.
IRS Form 8882 →🔍 Find Providers
Search for licensed providers through the Wisconsin Child Care Finder.
Child Care Finder →⭐ Pro Tip: YoungStar Ratings
Many 2026 funding streams (including Child Care Bridge Payments) are tied to a provider's YoungStar rating. Prioritize 4- and 5-star providers to maximize "quality incentive" add-ons for your employees.
YoungStar →Wisconsin Child Care Landscape
Key Wisconsin Markets
Employers in these markets are leveraging Get Kids Ready and Federal 45F:
- Milwaukee – Manufacturing, healthcare, financial services
- Madison – State capital, tech, university, healthcare
- Green Bay – Dairy/food processing, manufacturing (Schreiber HQ)
- Kenosha-Racine – Manufacturing, logistics
- Appleton-Oshkosh – Paper/packaging, manufacturing
- La Crosse – Healthcare, logistics (Kwik Trip HQ)
- Eau Claire – Healthcare, education, manufacturing
- Richland Center – Rural dairy/food processing (Schreiber pilot)