Help us unlock a $10,000 gift! Become one of the 100 donors needed to unlock this game-changing gift by midnight on Giving Tuesday. Give Today

Educare West DuPage teacher reading story to students

Champions for Children

Introducing Champions for Children a new initiative designed to foster a deep sense of community and commitment among our dedicated supporters.

Become Part of Our Journey

Since our founding in 1982, we have been grounded in the fact that starting early and nurturing the attachments between children and adults are essential to a child’s present and future well-being. Decades of research have proven that quality early childhood programs are a smart investment.

At Start Early, we believe that investing in the earliest years lays the foundation for a lifetime of success. With nine giving levels, Champions for Children offers meaningful opportunities for supporters to engage with our mission and witness the impact of their generosity firsthand.

By joining, you become an integral part of our work towards ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can build a brighter future from the ground up, empowering the next generation and strengthening our donor community along the way. Interested in becoming part of our journey? Make a gift at your preferred level.

Champions for Children

Champions for Children Levels

Supporter Benefits

Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Become a Supporter

Friend Benefits

Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.

Become a Friend

Additional Benefits

Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Champion Benefits

Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.

Become a Champion

Additional Benefits

Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.
Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Connector Benefits

Inclusion in a dynamic donor recognition display at Start Early’s main office in Chicago, Illinois.

Become a Connector

Additional Benefits

Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.
Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.

Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Advocate Benefits

A unique opportunity to co-host a discussion with policymakers, receive an early childhood advocacy toolkit, and enjoy lunch with Start Early staff members.

Become an Advocate

Additional Benefits

Inclusion in a dynamic donor recognition display at Start Early’s main office in Chicago, Illinois.
Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.
Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.

Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Builder Benefits

A private tour of Start Early’s program centers to experience our work firsthand and hear from families whose lives have been impacted through our early childhood programming.

Become a Builder

Additional Benefits

A unique opportunity to co-host a discussion with policymakers, receive an early childhood advocacy toolkit, and enjoy lunch with Start Early staff members.
Inclusion in a dynamic donor recognition display at Start Early’s main office in Chicago, Illinois.
Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.

Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.
Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Changemaker Benefits

Invitation to a VIP cocktail reception in advance of one event per year to network with key supporters and leaders in the field.

Become a Changemaker

Additional Benefits

A private tour of Start Early’s program centers to experience our work firsthand and hear from families whose lives have been impacted through our early childhood programming.
A unique opportunity to co-host a discussion with policymakers, receive an early childhood advocacy toolkit, and enjoy lunch with Start Early staff members.
Inclusion in a dynamic donor recognition display at Start Early’s main office in Chicago, Illinois.
Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.

Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.
Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Innovator Benefits

A personalized invitation to an exclusive Innovator Luncheon with Diana Rauner, president of Start Early, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your vision for early childhood education and engage in a small-group roundtable discussion with leaders in the field.

Become an Innovator

Additional Benefits

Invitation to a VIP cocktail reception in advance of one event per year to network with key supporters and leaders in the field.
A private tour of Start Early’s program centers to experience our work firsthand and hear from families whose lives have been impacted through our early childhood programming.
A unique opportunity to co-host a discussion with policymakers, receive an early childhood advocacy toolkit, and enjoy lunch with Start Early staff members.
Inclusion in a dynamic donor recognition display at Start Early’s main office in Chicago, Illinois.
Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.

Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.
Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Visionary Benefits

Name prominently displayed on a special Visionary Wall at Educare Chicago, Start Early’s premier birth-to-five early childhood school in Chicago’s Grand Boulevard neighborhood.

Become a Visionary

Additional Benefits

A personalized invitation to an exclusive Innovator Luncheon with Diana Rauner, president of Start Early, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your vision for early childhood education and engage in a small-group roundtable discussion with leaders in the field.
Invitation to a VIP cocktail reception in advance of one event per year to network with key supporters and leaders in the field.
A private tour of Start Early’s program centers to experience our work firsthand and hear from families whose lives have been impacted through our early childhood programming.
A unique opportunity to co-host a discussion with policymakers, receive an early childhood advocacy toolkit, and enjoy lunch with Start Early staff members.
Inclusion in a dynamic donor recognition display at Start Early’s main office in Chicago, Illinois.

Receive an exclusive early invitation to secure your spot our Annual Luncheon, our premier fundraising event where like-minded business, civic and philanthropic leaders come together to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of young children and families.
Invitation to a series of intimate, themed discussions with Start Early leadership and early childhood experts.
Receive a personalized Donor E-newsletter with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, early access to program success stories, and first looks at upcoming initiatives. This communication will also feature a Donor Spotlight, where we honor donors for their generous contributions. Additionally, Champions for Children donors will receive special recognition in our Year in Review, along with a printed copy mailed directly as a token of our appreciation.

Questions?

For more personalized assistance, please reach out to Larissa Trociuk, Director of Individual Giving.

Email Us

Support Our Work

Together, when we start early, we can close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential.

Give Now

Our Impact

Learn more about how we are supporting children, families and early childhood professionals to improve the state of early learning across communities in America.

Learn More

Stay Connected

Sign up to receive news, helpful tools and learn about how you can help our youngest learners.

Little girl with blue headband