Last week the PNC Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to Grace Hill Settlement House to help 250 underserved St. Louis preschoolers develop math and reading skills for kindergarten, as well as cognitive and social skills.
The foundation also announced additional grants totaling $185,000 to support Grow Up Great programming partners with Grace Hill Settlement House: Maryville University, Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and St. Louis Science Center.
The grants mark the local launch of PNC Grow Up Great, the first major initiative in the St. Louis area through its 10-year, $100 million bilingual program to improve early childhood education. The foundation receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group.
“Our support of pre-k education in St. Louis is a strategic investment to address the changing needs of an economy that is increasingly based on knowledge and skills,” said PNC Regional President Rick Sems.
“Research has shown us that children who are prepared for kindergarten are far more likely to experience greater educational achievements, strive toward higher vocational aspirations and contribute to society later in life.”