Early Childhood Education Grants

Through the PNC Foundation, grants are awarded to early education centers, helping support innovative preschool curricula and best teaching practices. So far, the PNC Foundation has distributed more than $15 million in grants to Head Start and other programs that support early childhood education.

Almost $2 million of the grants have supported innovative preschool demonstration projects that develop and test new curriculum and teaching practices in social and emotional development, language development, math, science and the creative arts.

In an effort to focus on the importance of math and science, the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center in Pittsburgh self reported a 19% increase in science proficiency one year after receiving a PNC Grow Up Great grant to develop a specialized science curriculum.

In addition, PNC, the Administration for Children and Families and the Internal Revenue Service launched the collaborative “Add It Up For Families” program in October 2007. Based on a math curriculum funded by PNC since 2004, this program has been enhanced to include additional services for the children and families served by North Philadelphia Head Start. Other program components include: free tax preparation, assistance in setting up individual development accounts and free financial education.