About Early Learning Coalition of Marion County
Support young children and families in Marion County by increasing access to high-quality early learning, providing School Readiness and VPK services, supporting early childhood educators, and advancing early literacy and family programs.
Focus Areas
early childhood educationchild care subsidy / school readinessvoluntary prekindergarten (VPK)early literacyprovider training and supportfamily support services (diaper assistance, infant safe sleep)
Who They Fund
households/individuals impacted by COVID-19low-income and underserved communitiesfrontline healthcare and essential workerssmall businesses affected by pandemic
Funding Style
About Early Learning Coalition of Marion County
A defining feature of Early Learning Coalition of Marion County Inc’s recent grantmaking is the scale of its COVID assistance to local early childhood providers. In 2024, the coalition made large awards to centers and schools across Marion County, including Creative Beginnings Preschool in Ocala at $463,065 and Fantastikids Academy 3 LLC at $420,922. Those payments sit alongside its broader role as a local early learning funder that supports School Readiness, VPK, early literacy, family supports, and provider capacity. The grant list shows a pattern of funding child care and prekindergarten organizations that serve young children and families in the county, with recipients ranging from private academies and faith-based schools to community providers. The coalition also uses contracts and procurements to support services, furniture, coaching, assessment, and outreach connected to early learning. Its work is closely tied to direct service delivery, with grants and contracts aimed at keeping local early learning infrastructure operating and accessible for children birth to age 13 through school readiness services and age 4 through VPK.
What Early Learning Coalition of Marion County Funds
The coalition’s core work centers on early childhood education and child care access. In one recent grant, Marion County School Board received $387,325 for COVID assistance, reflecting the coalition’s support for local education infrastructure tied to young children. It also funds provider capacity through contracts and procurements that support school readiness and VPK delivery. Beyond classroom access, the coalition supports early childhood educators: the INCENTIVE$ Florida program provides direct payments to educators, historically ranging from $450 to $5,000 per educator per year, to encourage professional growth and retention. Family-facing support is also part of the portfolio, including diaper assistance and infant safe sleep within its stated focus areas. The grant records show repeated investment in early learning providers that deliver child care, prekindergarten, and related services in Marion County.
How Early Learning Coalition of Marion County Gives
Typical awards are substantial: the p25 grant size is $35,873, the median is $74,020, and the p75 is $137,875. The recent grant list is dominated by recurring 2024 COVID assistance payments to local providers, while the active programs show a mix of direct grants, provider contracts, and procurements tied to specific services. The coalition is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals directly. Unsolicited applications are accepted in some program lines, including School Readiness and INCENTIVE$, while contract-based provider support runs through formal agreements.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$15M
Total Assets
$4.7M
Total Revenue
$37.4M
Total Expenses
$37.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $36K and $138K, with a median of $74K.
25th Percentile
$36K
Median
$74K
75th Percentile
$138K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
About 100% of grants go to recipients in FL.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
CARRIE THEALL
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