Start Early
Start Early is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and recognized as the nation's leading early childhood charity. Founded in 1982 as the Ounce of Prevention Fund, the organization operates as a public-private partnership dedicated to advancing quality early learning and care for children from birth through age five, with particular focus on families in under-resourced communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$129.4M
+21.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$36.0M
+4.4% YoY
Grant Count
58
+9.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$621K
-4.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Start Early advances quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to help close the opportunity gap.
Core Focus Areas:
- Healthy Births & Thriving Families
- Effective Early Learning Programs
- Strong Early Childhood Systems
The organization's work centers on closing the opportunity gap for the nation's youngest learners, with emphasis on children most vulnerable and least served. Start Early operates through three primary program approaches: direct service delivery to children and families, support and training for the early childhood workforce, and partnership at local, state, and federal levels to advance policy that prioritizes families.
Ready to take the next step with Start Early?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Start Early maintains a substantial presence in Illinois, with direct operations in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The organization has expanded nationwide with partnerships in 25 states. Direct service programs include:
- Two directly-operated programs: Educare Chicago (5044 S Wabash Ave) and Healthy Parents and Babies (100 N Western Avenue)
- Subcontracts with 11 agencies operating at 21 geographically and racially diverse sites throughout Chicago and surrounding communities
- Planned expansion including a new Educare school in Lake County
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenue: $135 million
- Total Expenses: $114 million
- Total Assets: $129.4 million
- Total Liabilities: $31.5 million
- Total Giving: $36 million
- Number of Employees: 462
Audit Findings: An independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 2024 identified a significant deficiency in internal controls—a deficiency in internal financial or governance controls that could limit the organization's ability to track and report financial data reliably. This deficiency is less severe than a material weakness but warrants management attention.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $129,438,415 | $106,687,603 | $78,506,857 |
| Revenue | $134,930,918 | $120,133,044 | $92,087,073 |
| Expenses | $113,827,823 | $108,099,164 | $89,219,915 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,100,842 | $1,744,120 | $4,168,859 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Chair: Ms. Mary Hasten
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms Diana Sands | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Ms Mary Hasten | Board Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Mr Suk Shah | Board Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Ms Lula Ford | Board Secretary | 1 | — |
| Ms Billie Wright Adams | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Curt R Bailey | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Sheila Caestany | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr David Casper | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Mawiyah Coates | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Nancy Carrington Crown | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Deborah Daro | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Kelly King Dibble | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Vicki Escarra | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Marilyn Fields | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Marquia Fields | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Bill Friend | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Tom Gimbel | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Keith Kiley Goldstein | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Charles Matthews | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Paul Metzger | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Dan O'Keefe | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Isabel Navarrete Polsky | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Michael Rapelyea | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Raul Raymundo | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Richard Rothkopf | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Diane Schanzenbach | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr John Schreiber | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Catherine Siegel | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Linda Smith | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Laura Thonn | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Anne Tuohy | Director | 1 | — |
| Mr Sam Yagan | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Helen Zell | Director | 1 | — |
| Ms Donna Iwanski | Chief Financial Officer | 37.5 | $268,623 |
| Ms Diana Rauner | President | 37.5 | — |
| Mr Michael Hoffman | Chief Operating Officer | 37.5 | $384,024 |
| Ms Johanna Vetter | Chief Marketing Officer | 37.5 | $260,295 |
| Ms Daphne Logan | Senior Vice President until 8/23 | 37.5 | $307,761 |
| Ms Sheetal Singh | Executive Director, ELL | 37.5 | $191,376 |
| Ms Bridget Byville | VP, Strategy & Impact | 37.5 | $199,744 |
| Mr Michael Owens | VP, Information Technology | 37.5 | $206,248 |
| Ms Sarah Rittling | Executive Director, FFYF | 37.5 | $278,582 |
| Ms Cynthia Jackson | Executive Director, ELN | 37.5 | $264,064 |
| Ms Kristin Bernhard | Chief Policy & Res Off. until 6/24 | 37.5 | $269,050 |
| Ms Aisha Gayle Turner | Chief Development Officer | 37.5 | $307,328 |
| Mr Ashon McKenzie | Executive Dir, Illinois until 3/24 | 37.5 | $281,032 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Start Early was chosen to lead implementation of the National Center for Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Early Awarded Head Start Grant to Expand Quality Early Learning ...The organization received a Head Start grant to expand quality early learning
$9.7 Million Awarded to Expand Access to Free, High-Quality PreK Across MichiganAnnouncement of a new Educare school planned for Lake County opening in 2027
Announcing Start Early\u2019s Newest Educare School: Educare Lake County\Recognition of over $9.7 million awarded to expand access to free, high-quality PreK across Michigan (involving Start Early partnerships)
$9.7 Million Awarded to Expand Access to Free, High-Quality PreK Across MichiganRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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