Early Years Inc
Early Years Inc is a public charity based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It works to strengthen access to affordable, high-quality early care and education by supporting families, communities, and the early childhood workforce.
Early Years Inc at a glance
In short: Early Years Inc gave $11.5M across 103 grants in 2025 (avg $112K), mostly in North Carolina. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $11,528,482
- +4.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 103
- -7.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $111,927
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,857
- Total assets
- $12,531,920
- +8.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (25 of 103, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Early Years Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: Post Office Box 901, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 967-3272
Website: https://earlyyearsnc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Early Years Inc
Who Early Years Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Durham Public Schools DBA Hillandale Elem Prek ($684K). Together the top 10 received $5.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
548 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 349 grants of 548 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its services as local, statewide, and national. Its website says it provides family support services in nine North Carolina counties, and its WAGE$ program is offered statewide through participating Smart Start partnerships. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina; Oregon, Illinois, and South Carolina were each listed at 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 103 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Early Years Inc open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 25 of 103 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $138K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7.1M (2019) to $11.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 103 grants totaling $11.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Public Schools DBA Hillandale Elem Prek Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy | $684,113 |
| Askorp Inc DBA Primary Colors Early Learning Center Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy/ Pre-K Support | $605,521 |
| Childcare Network #57 Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy/ Pre-K Support | $569,052 |
| Families and Communities Rising Inc DBA Leathers Meachem Headstart Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy/ Pre-K Support | $557,717 |
| Permo Corporation DBA Kids R Kids RTP Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy | $545,882 |
| Children's Campus Southpoint Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy/ Pre-K Support | $524,345 |
| Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children Greenville, NC | Child Care Resources and Referral Sevices | $457,502 |
| Southwestern Child Dev Com Webster, NC | Child Care Resources and Referral Sevices | $438,831 |
| ANB Early Care and Education LLC Durham, NC | Child Care Subsidy | $437,529 |
| Child Care Resources Inc Charlotte, NC | Child Care Resources and Referral Sevices | $422,405 |
Ready to take the next step with Early Years Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
For fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Early Years reported total program expenditures of $38,889,892, general and administrative expenditures of $2,664,909, and fundraising expenditures of $104,015. The organization stated that nearly 75% of its public support and revenue came from federal and state sources.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,531,920 | $42,200,134 | $41,599,725 | $11,528,482 | 103 | $153,640 |
| 2024 | $11,581,198 | $41,264,962 | $40,618,684 | $11,039,998 | 111 | $141,541 |
| 2023 | $10,856,451 | $39,887,123 | $39,181,155 | $10,164,884 | 109 | $75,479 |
| 2022 | $9,435,676 | $35,180,731 | $35,373,773 | $9,484,748 | 112 | $141,642 |
| 2021 | $10,312,057 | $35,658,722 | $34,181,371 | $9,307,687 | 113 | $26,544 |
| 2020 | $9,055,994 | $34,108,905 | $34,133,976 | $9,929,787 | 117 | $31,750 |
| 2019 | $8,041,475 | $28,026,530 | $28,213,709 | $7,114,000 | 94 | $31,213 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Early Years’ mission is to lead efforts to strengthen accessible and affordable high-quality early care and education by providing support for families, communities, and the workforce. The organization says its services, research, and education operate at local, state, and national levels.
Its activities include helping families find and pay for child care; providing professional development and technical assistance to providers; and conducting research on the early childhood workforce and broader child care system. Workforce programs include education-based salary supplements and scholarships. The organization’s filing describes Child Care WAGE$ and Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$ PLUS as programs that pay supplements to eligible early educators, and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood as a scholarship program for early care and education professionals.
The 2025 filing lists grants for child care subsidies, pre-K support, and child care resource and referral services. Among the grantees, Families and Communities Rising describes its mission as educating and empowering children, families, communities, and organizations through educational and supportive services. Southwestern Child Development says it partners with families, communities, and early educators so children can access high-quality, affordable early education. Child Care Resources Inc says it works with families and communities to expand access to high-quality, affordable early learning and school-age opportunities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Early Years reported 103 grants totaling $11,528,482. Grant amounts ranged from $5,307 to $684,113, with a median of $27,857. The largest listed grants included $684,113 to Durham Public Schools DBA Hillandale Elem PreK for child care subsidy; $605,521 to ASKORP Inc DBA Primary Colors Early Learning Center for child care subsidy and pre-K support; and $569,052 to Childcare Network #57 for child care subsidy and pre-K support.
Other notable 2025 grants included $557,717 to Families and Communities Rising Inc DBA Leathers Meachem Headstart; $457,502 to Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children; $438,831 to Southwestern Child Dev Com; and $422,405 to Child Care Resources Inc. The listed purposes for Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, Southwestern Child Dev Com, and Child Care Resources Inc were child care resources and referral services.
Child Care WAGE$ is a salary-supplement program for eligible early childhood educators, not a grant program for outside applicants. Its stated eligibility includes working at least 10 hours per week with children from birth to age five, working as an early childhood educator, and meeting income-verification and education requirements. The program is offered through participating Smart Start partnerships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Aleksandra Holod as chair and Sharon Hirsch as chair, ex officio. It also lists board members Richard Burton, Muffy Grant, Jennifer Lacewell, Eric Powell, Ellen Reckhow, Ana Elisa Sanchez, Sandy Weathersbee, and Henrietta Zalkind. Early Years’ 2024 annual report identifies Kristi Snuggs as president.
Early Years Inc is led by Kristi Snuggs, President on every filing since 2023; 5 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kristi Snuggs
President
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$28K (2023) → $177K (2025)
Aleksandra Holod
Chair
Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Hirsch
Chair & Executive Officio
Assistant Treasurer → Chair, 2022
Chair → Chair & Executive Officio, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edith Locke
Senior Vice President Professional Development Ini
Senior Vice President Prof Development Initiatives → Senior Vice President Professional Development Initia, 2024
Senior Vice President Professional Development Initia → Senior Vice President Professional Development Ini, 2025
On filings since 2019
45 hrs/week
$101K (2019) → $123K (2025)
Emmanuel Paul
Chief Business Services of
Vice President of Finance → Chief Business Services Officer, 2023
Chief Business Services Officer → Chief Business Services of, 2025
On filings since 2019
45 hrs/week
$102K (2019) → $123K (2025)
Linda Chappel
Senior Vice President of Triangle Ccr & R
Vice President of Triangle Ccr & R → Senior Vice President of Triangle Ccr & R, 2023
On filings since 2019
45 hrs/week
$108K (2019) → $118K (2025)
Allison Miller
Vice President of Compensation Initiat
Vice President of Compensation Initiatives → Vice President of Compensation Initiat, 2025
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$104K (2023) → $118K (2025)
Christopher L. Ratte
Treasurer
Board Member → Assistant Treasurer, 2022
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harold Sellars
First Vice Chair
Board Member → First Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Lacewell
Board Member
Board Member → Second Vice Chair, 2023
Second Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Richard Burton
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Willett
Assistant Secretary
Board Member → Assistant Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ana Elisa Sanchez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Davina Boldin-Woods
Secretary
Board Member → Assistant Secretary, 2024
Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Peck
Assistant Treasurer
Board Member → Assistant Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheresa Boone Blanchard
Second Vice Chair
Board Member → Second Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carla Garrett
First Vice Chair
Board Member → First Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Reckhow
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Powell
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Weathersbee
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Henrietta Zalkind
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Muffy Grant
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Dan Hudgins (2019–2024) — First Vice Chair
- Former: Mamie W. Watson (2022–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Jo Abernathy (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberly Shaw (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Marsha Basloe (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Peggy Ball (2019–2023) — Chair & Executive Officio
- Former: Michael Palmer (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ana De Hoyos O'Connor (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Khari Garvin (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Adam Zolotor (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Adrianna Martinez (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Barker French (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Renee Price (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michelle Miller Cox (2022) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Alice Thorpe (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Michele Miller-Cox (2019–2021) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Christina Goshaw Hinkle (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Florianna Thompson (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Page (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Dalphia Murphy (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Erica Gregg Parker (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Gerry Cobb (2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Joan Moran (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $177K, to Kristi Snuggs (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Early Years Inc
How much does Early Years Inc give each year?
Early Years Inc gave $11.5M across 103 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $11.0M across 111 grants.
What is Early Years Inc's typical grant size?
Early Years Inc's median grant in 2025 was $27,857, and its average grant was $111,927, across 103 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Early Years Inc that year got $32K on average.
Where does Early Years Inc give grants?
Early Years Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (65 grants), Chapel Hill, NC (9 grants), Cary, NC (5 grants) and Raleigh, NC (4 grants).
Does Early Years Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 103 grants with a stated purpose on Early Years Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Child Care Subsidy" (61 grants), "Child Care Subsidy/ Pre-K Support" (14 grants) and "Business Side" (8 grants).
Who are Early Years Inc's largest grantees?
Early Years Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Durham Public Schools DBA Hillandale Elem Prek ($684,113), Askorp Inc DBA Primary Colors Early Learning Center ($605,521) and Childcare Network #57 ($569,052), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Early Years Inc?
Early Years Inc reported $12.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $42.2M.
What does Early Years Inc fund?
Early Years’ mission is to lead efforts to strengthen accessible and affordable high-quality early care and education by providing support for families, communities, and the workforce. The organization says its services, research, and education operate at local, state, and national levels. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Early Years Inc?
Early Years Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check earlyyearsnc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Early Years Inc's EIN?
Early Years Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1514058. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Early Years Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Early Years Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/early-years-inc-morg_b01be2374a3d4be9b0320882fd534444
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561514058_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Early Years Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/early-years-inc-morg_b01be2374a3d4be9b0320882fd534444},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Early Years Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Early Years Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?