Kim Bowman

Director of Major and Planned Giving @Way To Grow

Minneapolis, MN, US

Way to Grow\'s mission is to ensure that children within the most isolated families are born healthy, stay healthy and are ready for school. A premiere early childhood education organization in Minneapolis, we believe every child should have an opportunity to succeed in school and in life. Way to Grow equips parents to become their child\'s foremost educator by sending our highly trained and culturally matched educators into homes to walk with families, remove obstacles, connect them to services, and help parents create an environment for learning. Each year, Way to Grow has generally achieved 90% of (1) children testing ready for Kindergarten,(2) K-3rd children improving in their literacy levels, and (3) babies born to Way to Grow moms at/above healthy birth weights. Currently serving 750+ families including 1,400 children and adults. Early childhood education is so powerful and so urgently needed because 80% of brain development occurs by age 3, and 90% by age 5. Starting early is vital to putting children on the path to success in school and life.In 2023, we completed a $6 million campaign coming in at $10+ million to fund our program\'s expansion into neighboring suburbs as well as a new permanent endowment fund. Two million came from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, who thoroughly vetted Way to Grow and our strong success metrics, as did the local Constellation Fund. No one is resting on their laurels; we continue to seek abundant support to sustain and grow this vitally important organization.

DIS - Study Abroad

Copenhagen Semester, Political Science and Government

St. Olaf College

B.A., Political Science, Russian Studies

University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business

MBA, Finance, General