Several area nonprofits are attempting to raise funds for child daycare scholarships.

The plan is to raise $500,000 by May, which would fund about 100 children who lost their subsidies.

"Quality child care builds better brains and it also builds better people," said Jennifer Leonard, of the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

The organization has promised $50,000 to match pledges.

Rochester's Child, a community foundation program that will oversee the awarding of scholarships, gave a starting contribution of $50,000. Among the other agencies participating in the push are the United Way of Greater Rochester, the Early Childhood Development Initiative, and the Children's Agenda.

Earlier this year, Monroe County officials changed the eligibility level for child-care subsidies, a move that officials said was necessary because of a decrease in a state grant. As a result, about 900 children lost care.

For more information, contact the Children's Agenda at 256-2820.