United Way Suncoast has received a $1 million grant from the PNC Foundation to support its United We Learn initiative, aimed at improving kindergarten readiness in the Tampa Bay area.
The funding will benefit children and families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties by expanding access to high-quality early learning and addressing achievement gaps before children enter school.
“Only half of the children entering kindergarten in the counties we serve are considered school-ready,” said Jessica Muroff, chief executive officer of United Way Suncoast. “This generous grant from PNC is a critical investment in our community’s future.”
The grant will support the organization’s Quality Childcare Initiative, a three-year partnership with local Early Learning Coalitions and childcare providers in communities with high concentrations of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families. The initiative includes funding for educational materials, facility improvements and professional development for teachers. Families will also receive support through engagement activities and referrals to services such as food assistance, workforce training and housing stability.
After the QCI concludes, participating centers will join United Way Suncoast’s United4Literacy program, which offers literacy resources for children ages 3-5 and additional support for families at risk of homelessness.
Chad Loar, PNC’s regional president for West and Central Florida and vice chair of the United Way Suncoast board, said the investment aligns with PNC’s commitment to early education through its Grow Up Great initiative. The $500 million philanthropic program launched in 2004, to prepare children from birth to age 5 for school success, particularly in underserved communities.