Since 1975, Open Door Preschool has been a trailblazer in early childhood education, with a long-term goal of providing inclusive, high-quality, developmentally appropriate education. Open Door’s inclusive model enables children with disabilities to thrive in integrated classrooms, benefiting all children. Open Door currently serves over 200 children annually, from infancy to Pre-K, across three Austin campuses.

The Impact Austin grant is unrestricted and awarded with a trust-based approach. Open Door Preschool plans to expand its Family CARES program at the North location, a campus that opened in 2023 in partnership with Foundation Communities and located in a recognized childcare desert. Currently, over 50% of children come from low-to-moderate income families, and 48% are special needs students. Through the Family CARES program, the grant could fund on-site food distribution; individualized parent coaching; and connections to mental health and housing assistance. Moreover, Open Door would invest in targeted outreach to full-paying families to boost enrollment at the North campus and offset a current financial imbalance.