Grant Funding to Support Nonprofit’s Kindergarten Readiness Programs in Chicago and Illinois
(Chicago, IL) May 20, 2021 – Today CME Group Foundation named education nonprofit Waterford.org as an award recipient with a grant designed to support kindergarten readiness and K–12 programming in Chicago and across Illinois. Waterford.org is one of dozens of organizations awarded a portion of CME Group Foundation’s $3 million in funding.
“CME Group Foundation is proud to support these innovative programs and the critical work they are doing for our students and our community,” said Kassie Davis, Executive Director, CME Group Foundation. “Our mission is founded on equipping our children with the resources to achieve academic and career success, while also creating a future workforce that benefits the economy more broadly. We look forward to working alongside our grantees to empower future generations through education.”
Waterford.org will use this grant funding to support its Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path in Illinois. This 16-week, in-home program helps 4-year-olds prepare for their first day of school. The Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path gives families the tools to become their child’s first teacher—including adaptive software children use for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Families also get a dedicated family coach who supports them and encourages offline learning through fun games and activities that coincide with their children’s lessons. Waterford.org also provides computer and internet access at no cost for those families who need them.
“We are proud to be recognized by CME Group Foundation for the work we’re doing in Chicago and across Illinois to prepare the state’s youngest learners for their first day of school,” said Claudia Miner, Waterford Upstart executive director and cofounder. “These needed funds will help Illinois families overcome the learning gaps and challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, so that they can feel confident their children will walk into kindergarten on day one prepared and ready to learn.”
Waterford.org is currently enrolling Illinois families into the Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path. Deadline to apply is June 8. Families can apply by calling 888-982-9898 or by visiting waterford.org/summer.
For more information about CME Group Foundation, please visit cmegroupfoundation.org.
About Waterford.org
Waterford.org is an education nonprofit with a mission to achieve universal literacy for children through equity, access, and parent empowerment. Waterford develops educational tools that guide students along adaptive, individualized learning paths toward fluent reading and lifelong learning. Waterford empowers parents as a child’s first teacher and supports teachers in taking the right actions at the right time for their students. Currently, Waterford.org serves over 300,000 children across 43 states every year. Waterford.org is a BBB Accredited Charity with programs supported by a variety of governmental and philanthropic organizations, including support from a federal EIR grant, The Studio @ Blue Meridian, and TED’s Audacious Project.
