About Early Connections
Early Connections supports the success of young children and their families through leadership, advocacy, and quality programs in early care and education.
Focus Areas
Early childhood educationChildcare access and affordabilityPreschool scholarshipsWorkforce development for ECE professionalsFamily support and readiness for kindergarten
Who They Fund
students (college / postsecondary applicants or enrollees)
Funding Style
individual scholarships / financial aiddirect service (awarding funds to individuals)education support through restricted-purpose grants
Topics
About Early Connections
Early Connections Inc channels its grantmaking into scholarship support for early childhood programs, with repeat awards to Erie First Early Ed Center, Growing and Learning Center, and YMCA of Erie showing a multi-year commitment to preschool access and affordability. The foundation’s recent grants are tightly tied to early care and education rather than a broad mix of causes: its listed focus areas include early childhood education, childcare access and affordability, preschool scholarships, workforce development for early childhood education professionals, and family support for kindergarten readiness. The pattern is centered on helping children attend approved early learning settings and helping providers sustain those seats. Several of the largest recent grants were labeled "SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED," and the same centers received support in more than one year, including 2023, 2024, and 2025. Other grantees in the recent list include South Hills Child Development Center, Glenwood YMCA, Little Explorers Christian Academny, Barber National Institute Happy Hearts, Asha Graebs Childcare, Learning Ladder, and Young Enviornment. Beyond scholarship funding, Early Connections Inc also operates programs connected to subsidized childcare, contracted infant-toddler slots, and apprenticeship pathways for early childhood educators, reinforcing a model that links family access, provider support, and workforce development.
What Early Connections Funds
In preschool access, Early Connections Inc gave $64,908 in 2025 to Erie First Early Ed Center for scholarships awarded, alongside another scholarship grant to Growing and Learning Center for $22,761 in 2025. These awards show direct support for families using early childhood education programs. The foundation also backs childcare-provider capacity through scholarship awards to centers such as South Hills Child Development Center, which received $28,944 in 2023 and $20,520 in 2025. That recurring pattern suggests ongoing support for approved early learning sites rather than one-time project funding. Workforce development is another clear thread. Early Connections Inc lists apprenticeship funding for early childhood educators who work at least 25 hours per week and cover education costs for a Child Development Associate credential. It also describes pre-apprenticeship support for high school and CTE students, including scholarships for concurrent enrollment and free CDA testing opportunities.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$201K
Total Assets
$2.7M
Total Revenue
$3.3M
Total Expenses
$3.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $9K and $31K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$31K
Geographic Reach
About 0% of grants go to recipients in PA.
Leadership
MICHELLE HARKINS
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