New fundingwill aid in the production of innovative learning experiences and digital content to help children in local communities build a solid foundation for success
ARLINGTON, VA, April 16, 2015– The PBS Foundation has received $2.4 million in grant money from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Kern Family Foundation to further the educational mission of PBS KIDS. The funds will support the development of new digital tools and resources that will be leveraged locally by PBS member stations to provide children with a strong foundation for success, encourage family engagement and aid parents and caregivers as they strive to build children of character in communities across the country.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has provided a nearly $1.5 million grant over a two-year period to PBS. The grant supports the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem of learning tools to promote a deeper level of student understanding and encourages family engagement in preparing children for success in school and in life in America’s most underserved communities.
Upcoming projects include a series of video and digital resources for parents and caregivers that help them turn “any time into learning time” through three target areas: math, literacy and social-emotional learning. In addition, the Kellogg Foundation grant will support the creation of targeted outreach programs designed to engage parents and educators in partnership with PBS stations and community-based programs that link early learning opportunities across home and day care/preschool environments.
These outreach programs help empower parents, working alongside their child’s teachers, in their efforts to provide purposeful and enriching learning opportunities in the first five years of a child’s life and beyond. The program will also reinforce social-emotional learning, leveraging the hit PBS KIDS series, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, produced by The Fred Rogers Company.
Established in 1998, The Kern Family Foundation invests in the future through the support of programs that emphasize character formation in the rising generations of Americans. The $900,000 grant will fund the creation of a catalog organized by the specific attributes that support social and emotional development and key character-building traits like honesty, compassion and responsibility. Parents will have access to a virtual treasure trove of digital and video content with the ability to call hundreds of resources, including games and offline activities, up on-demand and turn any moment into a character-building learning experience, reinforcing important life skills.
The catalog will be integrated with other PBS KIDS apps and digital content to help parents maximize their child’s experience with PBS KIDS and see what their kids are watching, playing and learning on pbskids.org. Equipped with this information, parents can have a better understanding of how their child moves through the PBS KIDS digital experience, see what new skills are being practiced and make informed decisions about their child’s activities, both online and off-screen, to achieve the best learning outcomes.
“PBS KIDS serves as a trusted partner for millions of Americans, supporting children at their most critical time of growth,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Media, PBS. “Through the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Kern Family Foundation, and in partnership with our local PBS stations, we now have an opportunity to inspire even more children to reach their full potential.”
PBS KIDS is the number-one educational media brand for children and harnesses the power of traditional media, emerging technologies, and strategic partnerships to inspire, teach, and support America’s children. PBS KIDS’ work is especially essential in America’s at-risk communities, where children lack access to high-quality educational experiences, especially in the preschool years.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital platforms and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS also offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning. The PBS KIDS Video App is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.
The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.
About The Kern Family Foundation
Established in 1998, The Kern Family Foundation invests in the rising generation of Americans, equipping them to become tomorrow's leaders and innovators. In keeping with the vision of its founders, Drs. Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern, The Kern Family Foundation seeks to enrich the lives of others by promoting educational excellence through character formation and academic achievement.
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Press contacts:
Atiya Frederick, PBS; 703.739.5147; anfrederick@pbs.org
Meredith Gandy, 360PR; 415.610.4067; mgandy@360pr.com
