Help Us Grow
From Home to Center
Help Us Build a Toddler Center Where Every Child Belongs
Cosmos Montessori has grown from a small in-home program into a thriving community for toddlers and families in San Francisco. Now we’re ready for our next step: transitioning from a Family Child Care (FCC) home to a licensed toddler center so we can serve more children in a safe, fully prepared Montessori environment. Your gift will help make that possible.
We’re inviting our community to help bridge the gap so we can open our doors as Cosmos Montessori Toddler Center without losing the heart of who we are.
OUR VISION
WHY WE ARE MOVING
Cosmos Montessori began during one of the most challenging periods in recent history—the global pandemic in 2021. In a time of uncertainty, isolation, and shifting needs for families, we opened our doors with courage and intention. What started as a small in-home program became a place of stability, connection, and hope for children and families.
We not only survived those challenging years—we thrived, growing stronger as a community and serving more than 50 families with a nurturing, culturally responsive, child-centered Montessori environment.
As the demand for high-quality toddler care in San Francisco continues to rise, our little home is no longer enough. Moving into a center allows us to:
Welcome more toddlers while maintaining small-group Montessori practices
Provide child-sized bathrooms and a safer, more accessible environment
Create dedicated spaces for movement, psychosensory, language, practical life, art, music, and rest
Offer stable jobs & fair wages to Montessori-trained staff
Preserve the same home-like comfort through intentional architectural design
This move isn’t about getting bigger—it’s about growing with intention, staying true to Montessori philosophy, and serving families with excellence.
HOW YOUR GIFT HELPS
WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES
Your contribution directly supports the essential build-out, exterior preparation, and operational stability needed to open Cosmos Montessori Toddler Center. Because our classroom materials are already complete, donations will go toward creating a safe, beautiful, home-like environment and sustaining our program during the transition period.
Environmental & Licensing-Required Improvements
$50 — Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors
$100 — Safety supplies: outlet covers, cabinet locks, first-aid restocking, emergency signage
$250 — Curtains and window coverings to create a warm, home-like Montessori environment
$300 — Logo sticker sheets/decals for the glass entry door
$500 — Flooring materials (laminate, carpet tiles, transitions, installation prep)
$750 — Exterior building signage (design + materials)
$1,000 — Washer & dryer installation (vents, electrical, plumbing)
$2,000 — Bathroom installation: child-sized fixtures, plumbing labor, waterproofing
$5,000+ — Founding Partner support toward full bathroom build-out, flooring labor, exterior improvements, and contractor work required for licensing compliance
Operational Stability During the Transition
While we complete renovations and await licensing approval, your support also helps cover:
Rent during the waiting period
Staff compensation and retention
Insurance and compliance-related fees
Utilities and essential operating costs
Temporary expenses needed to maintain our program’s continuity
These costs are unavoidable as we prepare the new center and ensure that Cosmos Montessori can continue operating, planning, and supporting families without interruption.
Every contribution helps us maintain the stability of our community while building the next home for Cosmos Montessori.
Donate to Grow Cosmos
All donations are made directly through our Venmo account.
Every contribution—small or large—supports the completion of our new Montessori home.
Other Ways to Grow Cosmos
Employer Matching Gifts
Some employers offer matching gifts or community support funds for educational programs, childcare initiatives, or family-serving organizations. While Cosmos Montessori is not a nonprofit, certain employers may still support employee contributions on a case-by-case basis.We encourage families to check with their employer’s HR or benefits department to see if contributions to educational or childcare programs are eligible for support. If documentation is needed, we are happy to provide information upon request.
Checks — Payable to Cosmos Montessori LLC
In-Kind Donations — Flooring labor, contractor help, signage design
Share the Campaign — Spread the word with friends & community members
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at this time. Cosmos Montessori operates as a small business (S-Corp). Donations support our transition costs but may not qualify as charitable deductions.
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Your contribution supports the essential improvements needed to open our new center, including flooring, bathroom installation, washer/dryer setup, safety equipment, curtains, storefront signage, and logo decals.
Donations also support operational costs during the transition period, such as rent, staff compensation, insurance, utilities, and required licensing fees. -
During renovations and licensing, we face months where we must cover rent and operational expenses without being able to fully open the new space yet. Donations help bridge this gap and prevent the need for high-interest loans, allowing us to keep tuition as stable and accessible as possible.
We are currently in the process of securing a business loan to fund part of the renovation and startup costs. However, loans must be repaid with interest and create long-term financial obligations.
Donations help us reduce the amount we need to borrow, lower monthly payments, and keep tuition more stable for families.
Every contribution helps us open with greater financial strength and less strain on the program. -
Yes. We will share renovation updates, licensing milestones, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the new center as it comes to life.