PNC Kickstarts Great Month with Outdoor Learning Initiatives to Enhance Early Education

PNC Enhances Outdoor Learning with New Initiatives

In a stride towards enriching early childhood education, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has commenced its annual Great Month celebration, focusing on its signature program, PNC Grow Up Great®. This year, the spotlight is on innovative outdoor education and the collaboration with two significant partners—Sesame Workshop and DonorsChoose—aimed at inspiring young learners through nature-based experiences.

A Commitment to Outdoor Learning

The PNC Foundation has announced a substantial $6.2 million grant to Sesame Workshop. This funding will support a multi-year initiative centered around school readiness with an emphasis on outdoor and play-based learning. At the heart of this initiative lies the objective to strengthen young children's skills in literacy, science, and mathematics. New educational resources, including videos featuring beloved Sesame Street characters and activity sheets, aim to motivate little learners to explore their world, thereby building essential skills in a fun and engaging manner.

Scheduled for availability on both sesameworkshop.org and pncgrowupgreat.com, the initiative will provide parents and educators with tools that integrate experiential learning into daily routines. For instance, a unique outdoor science web-based adult learning app and a special “Go Outside…Grow Outside” growth chart will be accessible starting April 1 at PNC branches.

Research indicates that outdoor learning not only enhances cognitive development in young children but also fosters emotional and physical well-being. However, many children, particularly in under-resourced communities, often lack opportunities for safe outdoor play. This initiative aims to bridge that gap by offering practical approaches for parents and caregivers to foster a love for nature and discovery.

Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation, highlighted, "We know that all experiences can spark learning, especially when a child is curious about what's around them. These new resources will help families build on children's curiosity to learn through simple daily activities, from counting bounces of a ball at the playground to noticing how birds blend into tree branches."

Enhancing Classroom Experiences with DonorsChoose

Expanding on its commitment to early education, PNC Grow Up Great has also provided funding for nearly 1,000 classroom projects through DonorsChoose, amounting to an impressive $600,000. The projects, aimed at public pre-K and Head Start teachers within PNC’s community, align with the mission of promoting health, sports, wellness, and addressing the needs of warmth, care, and hunger.

Collaborating with DonorsChoose, an established nonprofit that enables individual donations towards classroom projects, PNC has been supporting teachers since 2017. The alliance has culminated in a remarkable investment of $20 million to ensure that educators receive the necessary resources, thereby enhancing learning experiences for children.

Recognizing the creativity and dedication of early childhood educators, PNC Grow Up Great will spotlight innovative outdoor-focused classroom projects during Great Month. Teachers will be invited to submit their ideas for outdoor learning experiences through DonorsChoose, with qualifying projects receiving a $500 jumpstart donation from PNC Grow Up Great.

Encouraging Employee Participation and Community Engagement

PNC is amplifying its employee volunteerism efforts by increasing the grants available for volunteers. Starting April 1, PNC will double the impact of these volunteer grants, which support PNC employees who participate in approved volunteer work within their communities. These grants, which range from $2,000 for individual volunteers to $6,000 for teams, aim to enhance community engagement and support outdoor educational initiatives.

Employees will have the opportunity to contribute to outdoor learning by creating activity kits such as "Discover Math in Nature!" and participating in activities like assembling birdhouses and nature-themed crafts, further embedding the essence of community support and educational enhancement.

Through PNC Grow Up Great®, which commenced in 2004 with a pledge of $500 million to support early childhood education, PNC Foundation amplifies its dedication to community development and nurturing young minds. For more information about how PNC is transforming early childhood education and implementing innovative learning experiences, visit pncgrowupgreat.com.

To explore the rich potential of outdoor education and see how it can shape the future of our children, check out PNC's resources and get involved today!