Bright & Early DuPage, an initiative of DuPage Foundation, recently awarded nearly $350,000 to eight DuPage County early childhood collaboratives through its 2025 grant cycle. The initiative, launched in 2013, builds sustainable, coordinated, local early childhood collaborations that actively work to increase access to quality early childhood education throughout the county.
Bright & Early DuPage works to ensure every child in DuPage—from birth to age five—has the support they need to start kindergarten ready to learn and thrive. By bringing together local partners, building awareness, and advocating for early learning, the initiative strengthens communities and helps families access vital early childhood education and support services.
“Through cross-functional collaboration and strategic investment, access to high-quality early childhood education and care has significantly increased in the DuPage community over the last decade,” said Barb Szczepaniak, vice president for programs at DuPage Foundation. “We’re honored to work in tandem with school districts, community partners, and early childhood education specialists to provide critical funding that helps DuPage County’s children and their families thrive.”
Eight 2025 Bright & Early DuPage grants totaling $345,500 were awarded to:
•Addison Partners for Play, Learning & Education (APPLE) – $45,000
•Bensenville Early Learners Supporters (BELS) – $45,000
•Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative (GECC) – $50,000
•Supporting Early Education in DuPage South (SEEDS) – $30,000
•Villa Park Area Early Childhood Collaborative – $40,500
•Willowbrook Community Early Childhood Collaborative – $50,000
•WeGo Together for Kids – $40,000
•Wheaton Warrenville Early Childhood Collective – $45,000
Funding for this year’s grantees was supported by the Foundation’s Bright & Early DuPage Endowment Fund, the Snodgrass Family Fund, and the Paula K. Partipilo Fund. For more information on the Initiative, visit dupagefoundation.org/brightandearly.
—DuPage Foundation