Grant Powers New Technology Pilot in Minnesota Counties
Saint Paul, MN – March 17, 2026 – Think Small has received a $600,000 grant from Goodman Philanthropies to pilot an integrated, county-level eligibility and enrollment technology platform with partner Mirza. Designed to replace today’s fragmented processes with a streamlined digital entry point, the pilot will work with a select number of Minnesota counties to dramatically simplify how families and administrators access Minnesota child care benefits and other public benefits.
Simplifying how families access child care and public benefits
“Families shouldn’t have to navigate a maze to secure child care and other vital supports,” said Cisa Keller, President & CEO of Think Small. “Thanks to Goodman Philanthropies’ support, Think Small and Mirza will streamline how families apply for and qualify for benefits, so more children can access the early learning opportunities they deserve.”
The project will implement an innovative, data-driven, and secure technology platform that:
- Provides real-time verification of employment and income
- Automates document collection and management
- Pre-fills application data across programs to reduce redundant paperwork
- Speeds up eligibility and redetermination processes for early learning and related public benefits
Reducing fraud, errors, and administrative burden
By automating work verification and reducing manual errors, the Mirza platform is expected to significantly lower the risk of fraud within public benefit programs and ensure resources reach the families who need them most. The pilot will define what modern, efficient, and equitable eligibility systems can look like in Minnesota and will inform how state and local governments can reduce administrative barriers tied to H.R. 1 Medicaid and SNAP work requirements.
“Accessing county-level child care benefits is a critical lever for economic mobility for households with young children, yet outdated eligibility systems create friction that disproportionately harms families,” said Keller.
What the pilot will deliver
Through this grant, Think Small and Mirza will:
- Build and test a unified intake and eligibility system for Minnesota’s two child care subsidy programs, using real-time data integration to reduce manual burdens for both families and administrators.
- Improve utilization of underused government benefits, with a focus on child care programs, and increase access to other economic supports for families receiving early learning financial supports.
- Reduce eligibility determination error rates and demonstrate how automated systems can create broader efficiencies and strengthen fraud mitigation in public programs.
- Produce a playbook and product offering that states can use to support H.R. 1 compliance, including payroll income verification and document management workflows.
“Too often, the biggest barrier to accessing critical child care benefits is that the systems themselves make things harder for families instead of easier,” said Siran Cao, co-founder and CEO of Mirza. “We’re excited to work with Think Small to streamline the eligibility process and fulfill the potential of child care benefits as an engine of economic growth.”
A model for eligibility systems nationwide
The broader vision is a modern, streamlined eligibility platform for child care benefits that decreases administrative errors, increases the number of households receiving critical supports, and serves as a proof point for scalable government technology solutions across the country.
About Think Small
Think Small is a non-profit dedicated to advancing early learning and ensuring every child is ready for kindergarten. We work in close partnership with early childhood professionals, families, policymakers, and funders. Through professional support, community connections, and innovative leadership—including Think Small Institute and Redleaf Press—we provide training, resources, and advocacy to champion quality care and education of children in their crucial early years.
About Mirza
Mirza is a technology company focused on modernizing public benefits systems. Mirza helps employers, government agencies, and Medicaid payers connect families to critical programs — from child care to housing to food assistance — with automation, security, and scale.
About Goodman Philanthropies
Goodman Philanthropies invests in innovative, high-impact solutions that expand economic mobility and opportunity. By supporting organizations that strengthen systems and reduce barriers, Goodman Philanthropies aims to ensure that public resources reach the communities they are intended to serve.
