Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation Awards $365,000 Grant to Support Early Childhood Education in Delray Beach

The Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation has awarded a transformative $365,000 grant to Achievement Centers for Children & Families in support of its nationally accredited Early Learning Program. This substantial investment represents a critical commitment to early childhood education and the well-being of underserved families in southern Palm Beach County, directly helping to sustain and strengthen one of the region's most impactful early education initiatives.

The Early Learning Program serves up to 109 children ages 1 to 5 at the Nancy K. Hurd campus in Delray Beach, delivering more than 2,485 service hours annually through a curriculum focused on six essential developmental domains. The program provides over 47,000 meals annually while maintaining low teacher-to-child ratios and employing 22 full-time, highly credentialed educators. This comprehensive approach ensures children are kindergarten-ready, setting the foundation for lifelong academic and social success.

Stephanie Seibel, CEO of the Achievement Centers, emphasized the significance of this support, stating that it lifts a tremendous burden from the organization and allows for continued delivery of full-day, year-round care while expanding services that meet the evolving needs of children and families. The grant enables staff to focus on program innovation and long-term sustainability with ripple effects across afterschool programs, teen initiatives, and family support services.

Each year, Achievement Centers serves more than 760 children and their families, primarily in Delray Beach, where many face systemic barriers such as poverty, trauma, and limited access to quality education. With an average household income of just $24,592, the Early Learning Program provides an essential lifeline, particularly to working single-parent households and children at risk of falling through the cracks. The organization serves the community through multiple locations including the Nancy K. Hurd Campus, Village Academy, and Pine Grove Elementary, with additional information available at https://www.achievementcentersFL.org.

Ms. Seibel described the DeSantis Foundation's gift as more than financial support, characterizing it as a vote of confidence in the mission and in the future of the community's youngest learners. This partnership represents a significant step toward addressing educational disparities and supporting vulnerable families through the transformative power of early education, creating lasting positive impact throughout southern Palm Beach County.