Thanks to a $7 million grant to Parents as Teachers from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, which is the largest single gift in the organization’s 40-year history, the nonprofit will be able to increase its efforts to promote the optimal early development, learning and health of children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers.
A priority of Scott’s giving is to fund organizations that directly support communities. Parents as Teachers President and CEO Constance Gully said the gift is an affirmation of the organization’s decades-long commitment to improving the lives of children and families across the country.
“We are ecstatic and deeply grateful to Ms. Scott for this generous gift,” said Gully. “The new funding will allow us to enhance the work we’re already doing supporting families.”
Gully said the recognition from Scott would not be possible without the amazing and dedicated work of Parents as Teachers’ staff, board of directors, and certified professionals who partner with families in a thousand affiliated family serving organizations across the country. “This gift is an affirmation, a wonderful affirmation of the work we do.”
In recognition of more recent data and evidence, Parents as Teachers recently expanded its model goals to reflect its positive impact on overall family health and well-being, as well as improving economic and educational outcomes for parents and caregivers. The MacKenzie Scott gift will allow the organization to invest in critical infrastructure that will support the sustainable growth and enhancement of services.