



Gainesville, FL — The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention has received a $10,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to support its STEM Start at Head Start program. The Cade Museum’s STEM Start at Head Start program began in 2020, in partnership with Episcopal Children’s Services, as a response to the educational challenges posed by the pandemic.
Since its inception, the program has grown from serving four centers in Alachua County to 13 centers throughout Gainesville, Waldo, Hawthorne and Bronson. It aims to provide innovative STEM programming for children under five years old as well as training and support for educators. The program’s goal is to “bridge the education gap in Alachua County, support teachers, and foster a love for learning in our little ones to set them up for future academic success,” said Patty Lipka, the museum’s director of Experiential Education.
In 2024, the museum added a summer program at three of the centers, to further enrich the educational experience. “Young minds develop quickly and constantly, so we shouldn’t stop just because of the typical school schedule,” Lipka added.
“We are so honored to receive support from the PNC Foundation,” said Senior Manager of Donor Engagement Jody Farmer, “We’re grateful that they’ve entrusted us to help shape the futures of the youngest learners in our community.”
Funding for the STEM Start at Head Start program was made possible through PNC’s signature philanthropic initiative, PNC Grow Up Great®, which launched in 2004. Through a comprehensive approach of grant funding, employee volunteerism, awareness and advocacy, PNC Grow Up Great supports families, educators and community partners in providing innovative opportunities that enhance learning and development for children from birth to age 5, setting a path for success that lasts a lifetime.
“Twenty years ago, PNC committed to making high-quality early childhood education a priority in the communities we serve,” said Chris Kalin, PNC regional president for North Florida. “We continue to invest both time and resources into critical programs and initiatives led by organizations like the Cade Museum to help ensure we’re giving every child in our community the best start in life.”
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit pncgrowupgreat.com.
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Media Contact
Julie DeCarmine, jdecarmine@cademuseum.org