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Help Make Dreams Become a Reality

From big dreams to bright futures, anything is possible with quality early learning. See how you can help ensure that children have the best start in life.

Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything®️

Each year, more than 1 million children enter kindergarten unprepared to learn. But you can change that.

When you donate to Start Early, you can help ensure that children have the best start in life through quality early learning. They’re counting on your support.

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An Organization You Can Trust

As a nonprofit that serves Chicago and communities across the country, Start Early is proud to have received the highest rankings from the nation’s most reputable charity evaluators and provide the most impact with your gift.

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Most Recent Rating: 4 Stars

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Most Recent Rating: Platinum

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Start Early's FY21 overhead costs - 88% of every dollar goes to support our mission.
Where Your Giving Goes

When you give to Start Early, 88% of every dollar goes to support our mission.

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The first five years of life are crucial in shaping lifelong success. This is a critical window to change a child's future. Act now to ensure children have the best start in life through quality early learning.

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Our Approach

How We Are Improving the State of Early Learning in America

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Providing Quality Early Learning to Children and Families

We deliver high-quality programs that work directly with families to empower parents and support their child’s healthy development.

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Accelerating Innovation in the Early Childhood Field

We develop and implement innovative programs, policy and research to strengthen the early childhood workforce and ensure better outcomes for children and families.

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Advocating for Policies That Put Families First

We advocate for policies and programs that prioritize critical areas such as prenatal care, early learning and early intervention.

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Connecting Communities by Fostering Collaboration and Partnerships

We connect communities to share knowledge and access to family resources and supports.

Our Reach

Our comprehensive approach allows us to create impact for the greatest number of children, families and educators. In the last year:

Children reached through Start Early direct service and professional development programs

We reached 1.5 million children through our direct service and through our professional development programs.

Professionals reached through Start Early professional development programs

We reached 298,486 professionals through our professional development programs and by leading the Head Start National Center for Parent, Family and Community Engagement.

6.5MM children reached through Start Early's advocacy and policy work.

Our intensive policy and advocacy consultation enabled public sector leaders and advocates in 17 states to build more equitable systems for over 6.5 million young children.

How You Can Help

Start Early relies on the support of people like you — from donating to amplifying your voice — to deliver quality early learning and care to our youngest learners.

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Become a Monthly Donor

Help close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential.

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Become a Monthly Donor

Monthly giving is the most effective way to provide children living in under-resourced communities with the quality early learning they need to thrive.

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Donate in Honor of a Loved One

We invite you to honor your loved ones by making a gift in their name.

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Donate in Honor of a Loved One

Send a personalized eCard and message to your honoree acknowledging your gift.

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More Ways to Give

Make a gift in a way that is meaningful to you.

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More Ways to Give

There are a variety of ways to support our mission and help America’s youngest learners.

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Take Action

Amplify your voice and be heard.

Make an Impact

Take Action

Share your story, contact legislators or post on social media to impact policy at local, state and federal levels.

Make an Impact

Our Impact in Action

See firsthand how Start Early’s early learning programs help new and expecting parents build a strong foundation for their children to thrive.

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Sign up to receive news, helpful tools and learn about how you can help our youngest learners.

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Become a Monthly Donor

Monthly giving is the most effective way to provide children living in under-resourced communities with the quality early learning they need to thrive.

Donate Now

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Support Our Work

Together, when we start early, we can close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential.

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Stay Connected

Sign up to receive news, helpful tools and learn about how you can help our youngest learners.

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