$106,000 in general operating grants will help ten Lehigh Valley nonprofits expand access to high-quality early childhood education
Allentown, Pa., June 23, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has awarded $106,000 in general operating grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to ten nonprofit organizations working to expand access to high-quality early childhood education throughout the Lehigh Valley. The grants reflect LVCF’s continued commitment to strengthening the early childhood sector and supporting the children, families, and educators who depend on it.
“Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care is critical to the well-being of children, families, employers, and our community as a whole,” said Megan Barnes Briggs, Vice President for Community Investments at LVCF. “By providing flexible operating support, these grants help organizations respond to immediate needs while building the capacity needed to create lasting impact.”
Organizations receiving grants through LVCF’s Early Childhood Education Fund include:
• Community Services for Children, Inc.
• Greater Valley YMCA
• Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc.
• Northampton Community College Foundation – Northampton Community College Children’s Centers
• Pinebrook Family Answers
• ProJeCt of Easton (supported by Joyce and Lloyd Welken Fund at LVCF)
• Resurrected Community Development Corporation
• The Children’s Center, Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
• Third Street Alliance
• Via of the Lehigh Valley
The grants support organizations that provide childcare, early learning opportunities, family support services, and specialized programs that help children develop the skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. Funding also helps strengthen the early childhood workforce, expand access to care, and address barriers that prevent families from securing reliable, affordable childcare.
“Investing in early childhood is one of the most effective ways to strengthen our community’s future,” Briggs added. “These organizations are helping children build strong foundations for lifelong success while providing essential support that allows families to work, learn, and thrive. We are proud to partner with them in this important work.”
LVCF’s early childhood investments are part of a broader strategy to improve outcomes for children and families while addressing regional challenges related to workforce participation, economic mobility, and community well-being. Through grantmaking, convening, and collaboration, the Foundation continues to support efforts that advance a stronger early childhood ecosystem throughout the Lehigh Valley.
This grant is being awarded as part of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Early Childhood Leadership Grantmaking and is made possible by the generosity of our fundholders who contribute to foundation-directed grantmaking. The funds supporting the 2025-2026 Early Childhood Fund grant cycle include:
• Edward & Inez Donley Fund
• Walter & Alma Bastian Fund
• Frances L. Barnard Fund for Children
• Janice & Paul Gross Fund
• Lucille F. Driver Fund
• Support from Anonymous
• Support from the Peter Barter and Linda Bartera Fund
• Support from Judith Roberts
• Support from Joyce and Lloyd Welken Fund at LVCF
• Support from Roger & Kathy Yott
For more information about LVCF’s grantmaking and community initiatives, visit www.lvcfgrants.org. To learn more about the Early Childhood Education Collaborative visit: LV Early Childhood Education Collaborative.
About the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. A leader in charitable giving in the Lehigh Valley for more than 58 years, we receive support from donors, manage funds to grow over time, and make high-impact grants to strengthen local nonprofits.
The Foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds, totaling over $140 million, and we continue to grow—both in size and in the way we fulfill our mission. We are evolving to engage more deeply with partners, serve more effectively as a thought leader on community issues, and explore more innovative ways to make life better across the Lehigh Valley. To learn more, visit: www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.
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