The Early Childhood Resource Center’s mission is to promote the healthy development of young children by strengthening families, improving the quality of early learning experiences, and increasing school and community readiness.

PNC’s signature philanthropic mission, PNC Grow Up Great, is focused on preparing young children for school and life by increasing access to high-quality early childhood education.

With two missions so closely aligned, it’s only natural that the two organizations made for a great match.

Helping Children Grow

In 2004, PNC launched an initiative that focused the company’s philanthropic efforts on one area to make the biggest possible impact. At that time, an internal survey revealed PNC employees were most interested in helping to support education and children. After some additional research into the high potential for impact and return on investment, PNC’s focus on high-quality early childhood education was born.

PNC Grow Up Great provides tools and resources to help develop curious young minds. Through the program, PNC is dedicated to serving children from birth to age 5, especially those from underrepresented populations, by empowering and supporting their caregivers and teachers.

According to Jennifer Dale Fox, PNC client and community relations director for the Akron region, her company’s support of the Early Childhood Resource Center should come as no surprise.

“Early childhood education is one of the most underfunded categories in the spectrum,” said Fox. “Children are at a major disadvantage without the proper educational foundation. A slow start leads to poor educational outcomes, and most students [who fall behind] can never catch up.”

Fox said a slow start often follows students throughout their education and can lead to higher absenteeism and lower graduation rates. Investing in high-quality early childhood education from the beginning ultimately helps our communities thrive. 

SPARK of Interest

Fox first got involved with the Early Childhood Resource Center when assistant executive director Angela Moses invited her to explore the Center’s SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) kindergarten readiness program. Soon after meeting Moses, Fox knew she wanted to become more active with the nonprofit organization.

“Angela is extremely focused on making a positive impact on early childhood education,” said Fox. “She’s a fountain of knowledge, and always has so many important early childhood education facts on the tip of her tongue. She’s inspiring.”

PNC provides financial support, employee volunteerism, and additional resources to the Early Childhood Resource Center. In addition, Joseph Luckring, PNC regional president for Akron, serves on the Center’s board.

“PNC has supported quality early childhood education through more than $200 million in grants and more than 1 million employee volunteer hours,” Luckring said. “Through the PNC Grow Up Great initiative and collaborations with early learning experts and nonprofit organizations, we've impacted the lives of 8 million children. Much of the work we do at PNC makes me proud, but the significant and far-reaching impact of this work and my board service with the Center is especially gratifying and leaves me optimistic for the future.”

In addition, PNC supports the Great Start for Great Futures (GSGF) Coalition, in which the Center plays a key role. The Coalition is a group of Stark County early education providers, agencies, advocates, and community leaders collaborating to improve children’s outcomes from the prenatal months to kindergarten. GSGF develops systems that align with clear metrics and integrates strategic partners into its work to heighten public awareness and equip decision makers to impact outcomes.

Economic Impact

PNC works with the GSGF Coalition to elevate the child care profession—including advocating to raise the hourly wage of child care providers and expand their access to health insurance. In November, The Hechinger Report noted that the average child care provider takes home just $13.22 per hour.

According to Fox, in Stark County, PNC is observing local business owners collaborating to ensure their employees have access to adequate child care.

Fox said many people don’t realize child care is also a workforce issue. Not only do children benefit from the strong start that high-quality child care provides, but parents, employers, and the community also benefit because of the impact it has on the workforce.

Important Mission

Fox doesn’t see PNC’s—or her personal—involvement with the Early Childhood Resource Center easing up. The work is too important.

“From the moment a baby is born, it’s our job to provide the right stimulation,” said Fox. “Every sound, every word, and every learning opportunity helps develop the superhighway that becomes a child’s brain. We’re proud to collaborate with community organizations making a positive impact on that educational development. And we’re thrilled to be on board in supporting the great work of the Early Childhood Resource Center.”

Broad Commitment

Since kicking off PNC Grow Up Great in 2004, PNC has:

  • Distributed $225 million in grants to organizations that support early childhood education.
  • Supported 8 million children through grant-funded programs and mobile education tours.
  • Volunteered more than 1 million hours through a progressive policy that permits employees up to 40 hours of paid time off for volunteerism.

The economic vitality and growth of our communities is rooted in the success of our future leaders. Nearly 20 years in, PNC has been committed to helping provide our youngest learners with the foundation they need to succeed in school and life. It is, quite simply, the right thing to do, today and every day.