Start Early
Start Early is a Chicago-based public charity that advances quality early learning for families with children, from before birth through their earliest years. Founded in 1982 as the Ounce of Prevention Fund, it combines direct services with work in research, professional development, policy, and early childhood systems.
Start Early at a glance
In short: Start Early gave $36.8M across 51 grants in 2025 (avg $721K), mostly in Illinois. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $36,778,976
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 51
- -12.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $721,156
- +16.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $389,431
- Total assets
- $124,441,052
- -3.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 51, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (94% 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 Start Early
- Review Cycle
- The Universal Newborn Support Systems request for proposals states that the letter of interest and full proposal are due in February; planning activities are anticipated to run from May through December 2026.
- Deadline
- The Universal Newborn Support Systems request for proposals states that the letter of interest and full proposal are…
- Contact
Mailing address: 33 W Monroe Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 922-3863
Website: https://startearly.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Start Early funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Marillac Social Center ($3.7M). Together the top 10 received $22.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
274 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 55 grants of 274 (20%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Start Early’s direct services include programs in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, and its home visiting and doula network operates throughout Illinois. Its website also describes partnerships in 25 states. In filing year 2025, 94% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; smaller shares went to recipients in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Start Early open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 51 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $735K. How we count
Medians: $51K first-time, $396K 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 $22.1M (2019) to $36.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 51 grants totaling $36.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Marillac Social Center Chicago, IL | Comm Based Family Services | $3,707,485 |
| Chicago Child Care Society Chicago, IL | Comm Based Family Services | $3,284,713 |
| El Hogar Chicago, IL | Program Support | $3,118,820 |
| One Hope United Lake Villa, IL | HS/EHS & Comm Based Family Services | $2,456,810 |
| Family Focus Inc Chicago, IL | Comm Based Family Services | $2,288,127 |
| CASA Central Chicago, IL | HS/EHS Program | $2,205,660 |
| SGA Youth & Family Services Chicago, IL | Comm Based Family Services | $1,412,403 |
| The Children's Home Peoria, IL | Comm Based Family Services | $1,361,477 |
| Children's Home Aidchildren's Society of IL Chicago, IL | HS/EHS & Comm Based Family Services | $1,279,149 |
| Asian Human Services Chicago, IL | Program Support | $1,244,947 |
Ready to take the next step with Start Early?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $124,441,052 | $115,249,579 | $116,502,911 | $36,778,976 | 51 | $3,703,890 |
| 2024 | $129,438,415 | $134,930,918 | $113,827,823 | $36,017,553 | 58 | $3,100,842 |
| 2023 | $106,687,603 | $120,133,044 | $108,099,164 | $34,498,636 | 53 | $1,744,120 |
| 2022 | $78,506,857 | $92,087,073 | $89,219,915 | $29,348,501 | 55 | $4,168,859 |
| 2021 | $84,271,202 | $70,463,769 | $74,331,477 | $23,051,458 | 57 | $1,453,807 |
| 2019 | $73,674,789 | $66,571,328 | $70,063,369 | $22,139,323 | 54 | $1,638,568 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Start Early’s mission is to advance quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to help close the opportunity gap.
Its work includes early childhood services for young children and families, professional development and technical assistance, research, and policy and systems work. Its grants include support for community-based family services, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and program support. For example, One Hope United describes its mission as serving and advocating for children, youth, and families through early childhood education and other services. Family Focus says it strengthens families and children through community-based education and social service programs. SGA Youth & Family Services describes its work as providing counseling and support services for children, adults, and families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Start Early reported 51 grants totaling $36,778,976. Grant amounts ranged from $20,621 to $3,707,485, with a median grant of $389,431.
Among the largest reported grants were $3,707,485 to Marillac Social Center for community-based family services; $3,284,713 to Chicago Child Care Society for community-based family services; $3,118,820 to El Hogar for program support; and $2,456,810 to One Hope United for Head Start/Early Head Start and community-based family services. Other large grants included $2,288,127 to Family Focus for community-based family services and $2,205,660 to Casa Central for a Head Start/Early Head Start program.
Start Early invites proposals for local planning activities to assess the feasibility and readiness of communities to implement Universal Newborn Support Systems. The process includes a letter of interest and a full proposal; the planning activities were anticipated to run from May through December 2026. Separately, the organization offers an interest form for agencies seeking to join its Early Learning Network as Head Start providers and inquire about funding. The network provides participating agencies with programmatic oversight, professional development, and opportunities for collaboration.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary Hasten as board chair and Charles Matthews as board vice chair. Directors listed include Bill Friend, Tom Gimbel, Keith Kiley Goldstein, Dan O’Keefe, Isabel Navarrete Polsky, Michael Rapelyea, Raul I. Raymundo, and Richard E. Rothkopf.
Start Early is led by Cynthia Jackson, Executive Director & Eln on every filing since 2019; 11 of 46 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cynthia Jackson
Executive Director & Eln
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$215K (2019) → $268K (2025)
Sarah Rittling
Executive Director & Ffyf
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$241K (2019) → $343K (2025)
Valisa Smith
Executive Director & Sewa
Executive Director → Executive Director & Sewa, 2025
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$197K (2021) → $221K (2025)
Diana Rauner
President
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Hasten
Board Chair
Director → Board Vice Chair, 2022
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Friend
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billie Wright Adams MD
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Curt R. Bailey
Director
Chairman of the Board → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Casper
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Daro PhD
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diana Sands
Director
Board Treasurer → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helen Zell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isabel Navarrete Polsky MD
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Kiley Goldstein
Director
Board Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly King Dibble
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda K. Smith
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lula Ford
Director
Director → Board Secretary, 2022
Board Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Fields
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marquia Fields
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mawiyah Coates
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Carrington Crown
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raul I. Raymundo
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Yagan
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suk Shah
Director
Director → Board Treasurer, 2022
Board Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Gimbel
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan O'Keefe
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Ater Capestany
Director
Director → Washington State Advisory Council Chair, 2023
Washington State Advisory Council Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Escarra
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard E. Rothkopf
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John G. Schreiber
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Thonn
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Rapelyea
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Waltuch
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Teran
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Garrett M. Young EdD
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Castro
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Iwanski
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$197K (2019) → $334K (2025)
Johanna Vetter
Chief Marketing Officer
Chief Advancement Officer → Chief Marketing Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$243K (2019) → $260K (2025)
Michael Hoffman
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$265K (2021) → $360K (2025)
Aisha Gayle Turner
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$307K (2024) → $293K (2025)
Michael Owens
Vice President & Information Technology
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$206K (2024) → $212K (2025)
Clarissa Love
Senior Vice President, People & Culture
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$211K (2025)
Terrence Roche
Vice President & Professional Services
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$286K (2025)
Yvette Sanchez Fuentes
Senior Vice President, Govt Relations & Research
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$237K (2025)
Charles Matthews
Board Vice Chair
Director → Board Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane Schanzenbach
Board Secretary
Director → Board Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Anne Tuohy (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Daphne Logan (2019–2024) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Paul Metzger (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Kristin Bernhard (2021–2024) — Chief Policy & Res Officer
- Former: Catherine Siegel (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Ashon McKenzie (2024) — Executive Director & Illinois
- Former: Bridget Byville (2024) — Vice President, Strategy & Impact
- Former: Sheetal Singh (2024) — Executive Director & Ell
- Former: Clare Dunham (2019–2023) — Former Senior Vice President
- Former: Bernice Weissbourd (2021–2023) — Honorary Founding Director
- Former: Rebecca Berlin (2021–2023) — Chief Learning Officer
- Former: Diana McClarien (2023) — Vice President & Ehsn
- Former: April Wozniak (2021–2022) — Vice President & Development
- Former: Susan Baird (2022) — Director
- Former: Alan King (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: David Helfand (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Dick Rothkopf (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Francessca Phillips (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kate Siegel (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Sue Baird (2019–2021) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Virginia Oviedo (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Anthony Raden (2019) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Harrison Steans (2019) — Director
- Former: Jean Schlemmer (2019) — Director
- Former: Manny Sanchez (2019) — Director
- Former: Margery Wallen (2019) — Vice President
- Former: Mary Dillon (2019) — Director
- Former: Michael Sachs (2019) — Director
- Former: Susan Ben (2019) — Vice President
- Former: Tim Landon (2019) — Director
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 $360K, to Michael Hoffman (Chief Operating Officer). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Start Early
How much does Start Early give each year?
Start Early gave $36.8M across 51 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $36.0M across 58 grants.
What is Start Early's typical grant size?
Start Early's median grant in 2025 was $389,431, and its average grant was $721,156, across 51 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Start Early that year got $51K on average.
Where does Start Early give grants?
Start Early gives mostly in Illinois: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (16 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Omaha, NE (2 grants).
Does Start Early give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 51 grants with a stated purpose on Start Early's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (23 grants), "Comm Based Family Services" (19 grants) and "HS/EHS & Comm Based Family Services" (3 grants).
Who are Start Early's largest grantees?
Start Early's largest 2025 grantees include Marillac Social Center ($3,707,485), Chicago Child Care Society ($3,284,713) and El Hogar ($3,118,820), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Start Early?
Start Early reported $124.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $115.2M.
What does Start Early fund?
Start Early’s mission is to advance quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to help close the opportunity gap. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Start Early?
Start Early has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check startearly.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Start Early's EIN?
Start Early's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3186328. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 26, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Start Early's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Start Early funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/start-early-morg_8fcbe5f7ca0f4a4bb2670c515d9c240b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363186328_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Start Early funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/start-early-morg_8fcbe5f7ca0f4a4bb2670c515d9c240b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Start Early'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.
Start Early down — hundreds of funders to go?