Child Care and Early Education Providers Are in Crisis. How Are Funders Responding?

The Philadelphia Emergency Fund for Stabilization of Early Education (PEFSEE) has been hailed as one of the more sophisticated efforts in the field in response to the crisis. PEFSEE is a partnership between the William Penn Foundation and Vanguard’s Strong Start for Kids Program. William Penn contributed $5 million, Vanguard $2 million. Focused on children ages zero to five, the fund supports basic expenses such as payroll, rent and mortgage assistance, and supports centers that provide baby supplies and care for the children of essential workers.