Grow Up Great
With support from PNC’s executive management, PNC Grow Up Great® is directed by Sally McCrady, director of Community Affairs and Chair and President, PNC Foundation.
A cross-functional team of PNC employees from different areas of the company work together with early childhood experts to bring Grow Up Great to life.
Employee volunteerism is integral to our program's success.
On April 4, 2017, we introduced our first company-wide "Great Day" event across all of our corporate offices and retail branches. Hands-on volunteer opportunities were offered for PNC employees – from writing teacher 'Thank You' cards, to handmade backpacks and building tricycles – all easy to accomplish within a normal workday. The first annual event was a success with over 12,800 employees participating, 32,000 volunteer hours recorded and a company-wide book drive with nearly 50,000 books donated.
Momentum continued to build for Great Day 2018 with even more volunteers getting involved. In 2019, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of Grow Up Great with “Great Month”. More than 14,000 volunteers dedicated 39,000 hours to various volunteer opportunities. Additionally, PNC customers were invited to join the Great Big Book Drive, resulting in 114,000 books donated locally.
Our Nonprofit Alliances
To create quality resources, we work closely with some of the nation’s most highly respected early childhood experts and nonprofit organizations, including:
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, helping kids grow up smarter, stronger and kinder!
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National Head Start Association
National Head Start Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates and provides resources to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life.
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Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions, producer of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, creates a wide range of multimedia materials dedicated to young children, their families and those who support them.
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We've assembled an Advisory Council of leaders in the early childhood education field that provide ongoing strategic direction and guidance for the Grow Up Great program.
The Council is constantly ensuring we're a leader in advocating for early childhood education, identifying opportunities for strategic partnerships, tracking our progress and ensuring that all of our efforts reach, resonate and benefit young children in their early development phases.
Meet Our Advisory Council Members
Barbara A. Wasik, Ph.D.
PNC Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education, Temple University
Maureen Barber-Carey, Ed.D.
Barber National Institute
W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D.
National Institute for Early Education Research
Barbara Bowman, M.A.
Erikson Institute
Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D.
Early Childhood Consultant
Marcia Egbert
The George Gund Foundation
Deforia Lane, Ph.D.
Early Childhood Consultant
Wendy Lewis Jackson
The Kresge Foundation
Michael L. López, Ph.D.
NORC at the University of Chicago
Michèle M. Mazzocco, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Felicia Cumings Smith
National Center for Families Learning
Jeanette Betancourt, Ed.D.
Sesame Workshop
Paul Siefken
Fred Rogers Productions
Yasmina S. Vinci
National Head Start Association
"Sesame Street®", "Sesame Workshop®" and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. © 2023 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved.
"Peg + Cat" and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned and licensed by Feline Features, LLC, © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
If you have difficulty using or accessing any element of the PNC Grow Up Great website, please email us at pnc.growupgreat@pnc.com and we will work to provide the information you seek through a communication method that is accessible for you and consistent with applicable law.
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