An investigation by The Center Square has found that the William Law Foundation, a nonprofit daycare awarded $18.2 million by the California Department of Social Services in 2022-23, operates only one facility serving no more than six children, despite claiming 'over 40 locations' across ten counties. The executive director acknowledged the claim was inaccurate, stating it 'seemed like a good idea at the time when I had nothing.'
According to a report by The Center Square, the William Law Foundation received an $18,216,131 award through the California Department of Social Services' (CDSS) 2022-23 General Child Care and Development Program grants. The foundation's executive director, William Edwards, said the nonprofit did not open its first daycare until October 2026, more than three years after the grant was awarded.
CDSS records show the William Law Foundation received the largest proposed award of any applicant during that grant cycle. However, the department has not explained how the organization qualified despite having no experience running childcare programs.
At the Willverines Childcare Center in Bakersfield, the foundation's only licensed facility, site supervisor Sati Bachrun-Santillan said on October 14, 2026: "Today we only have one child. The other five are sick." The state license allows for up to 60 preschool-aged children.
The foundation's website features AI-generated videos advertising programs in robotics, reading, pickleball, painting, gardening, and guitar playing. The Center Square reported it did not observe those items at the facility. Edwards said the videos were published before the daycare opened to communicate his vision.
The website states "Over 40 Locations to Serve You" across ten California counties. When questioned, Edwards acknowledged the claim was false. "It seemed like a good idea at the time when I had nothing," he said. "We don't promote that site anymore... I probably should modify that, and I will later today." However, more than a week later, the website remained unchanged.
CDSS spokesman Jason Montiel confirmed: "William Law Foundation only has one licensed facility, the Willverines Childcare Center in Bakersfield." He said the nonprofit received approximately $2.2 million in startup funds but did not answer questions about oversight.
Brian Mittendorf, an accounting professor at Ohio State University, reviewed the foundation's tax filings as a neutral third party. "On what basis did they think that this was going to lead to success?" he asked. "Not anyone can just open a daycare center... What did they do to justify receiving a grant for a very particular type of service being provided?"
The foundation's 2024 tax return shows Edwards was its only employee, paying himself at least $540,000 with $180,000 in deferred compensation, apparently funded entirely by government grants, the nonprofit's only revenue stream that year was $1,051,434 in government grants.
Edwards attributed the slow growth to lack of training and difficulty navigating California regulations. He said at least one planned partnership with a church fell through due to building requirements.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- California taxpayers provided $18.2 million to an organization with no prior daycare experience, later spending at least $85,411 on repairs and maintenance for a single facility
- The nonprofit's executive director paid himself over $720,000 in salary and deferred compensation, funded entirely by government grants, while serving only six children
- The case raises questions about the state's oversight of grant programs intended to support childcare for at-risk communities
Background
The William Law Foundation applied during California's 2022-23 General Child Care and Development Program grant cycle. The Department of Social Services awarded it $18,216,131, the largest proposed award of any applicant. The organization had no previous experience operating childcare programs. According to its 2024 tax returns, its only employee was executive director William Edwards. The Willverines Childcare Center in Bakersfield opened in October 2026, more than three years after the grant was awarded.
Key Perspectives
William Edwards (Executive Director, William Law Foundation): acknowledged the claim of "over 40 locations" was inaccurate, saying it "seemed like a good idea at the time when I had nothing" and blaming slow growth on training difficulties and California regulations.
Brian Mittendorf (Ohio State University accounting professor): questioned the government's decision to award the grant, asking "On what basis did they think that this was going to lead to success?"
CDSS spokesman Jason Montiel: stated the foundation has only one licensed facility and received approximately $2.2 million in startup funds, but did not answer questions about oversight.
What to Watch
- Whether the William Law Foundation modifies its website as Edwards said he would
- Any further investigation or response from the California Department of Social Services regarding grant oversight and accountability processes
- Potential action by state legislators or auditors following the report
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe William Law Foundation was awarded $18 million for a daycare with 39 nonexistent locations.The Center Square California: “Taxpayer Philanthropy: State awards $18 million to daycare with 39 nonexistent locations.”
- SupportedThe foundation was awarded $18,216,131 through CDSS’s 2022–23 General Child Care and Development Program grants.The Center Square California: “more than three years after the nonprofit was awarded $18,216,131 through the California Department of Social Services’ 2022-23 General Child Care and Development Program grants.”
- SupportedThe foundation operated one facility providing care for no more than six children.The Center Square California: “actually has just one facility providing care for no more than six children”
- SupportedThe foundation did not open its first daycare until October 2026, more than three years after the award.The Center Square California: “The William Law Foundation did not open its first daycare until October 2026, according to Executive Director William Edwards — more than three years after the nonprofit was awarded $18,216,131”
- SupportedOn October 14, 2026, site supervisor Sati Bachrun-Santillan said, “Today we only have one child. The other five are sick.”The Center Square California: “Edwards agreed to speak with The Center Square on Oct. 14, 2026 at his Bakersfield daycare, the Willverines Childcare Center. “Today we only have one child,” said Sati Bachrun-Santillan, a site supervisor at the daycare. “The other five are sick.””
- SupportedThe foundation’s website said it had “Over 40 Locations to Serve You” across ten California counties.The Center Square California: ““Over 40 Locations to Serve You,” the website states. “Our programs are located in 10 counties throughout California.””
- SupportedEdwards said, “It seemed like a good idea at the time when I had nothing.”The Center Square California: ““It seemed like a good idea at the time when I had nothing,” Edwards said.”
- SupportedThe foundation received the largest proposed award of any applicant in the grant cycle.The Center Square California: “CDSS records show the William Law Foundation received the largest proposed award of any applicant during its 2022-2023 grant cycle”
- Partly supportedThe Center Square did not observe the activities listed in the foundation’s videos at the facility.The Center Square California: “The Center Square did not observe robots, guitars, gardening tools, or a pickleball court at the facility.”
- SupportedMontiel confirmed that the foundation had only one licensed facility, the Willverines Childcare Center in Bakersfield.The Center Square California: ““William Law Foundation only has one licensed facility, the Willverines Childcare Center in Bakersfield,” Montiel said.”
- SupportedMittendorf asked, “On what basis did they think that this was going to lead to success?” and questioned what justified the grant for that service.The Center Square California: ““On what basis did they think that this was going to lead to success?” Mittendorf asked. “Not anyone can just open a daycare center... What did they do to justify receiving a grant for a very particular type of service being provided?””
- Reports differThe 2024 tax return showed Edwards was the foundation’s only employee.The Center Square California: “The William Law Foundation's latest tax returns from 2024 show Edwards was the only employee of the nonprofit”