About
Our Story
As a child with dyslexia, I struggled in school. When a teacher told me I would amount to nothing, it could have been my breaking point. Instead, it became my turning point.
Growing up, my family faced unexpected hardships that threatened my education. These experiences shaped my life’s mission:
For over 35 years, I’ve dedicated my career to early childhood education. In 1997, I founded Children of America (COA) to create accessible childcare for all families. As COA grew, I saw how an unexpected crisis could not only interrupt a child’s education but potentially alter their life’s trajectory indefinitely.
This led me to establish the Pryor Family Foundation in 2024. It’s more than philanthropy, it’s my life’s work. We’re here to support families facing sudden adversities, ensuring their children’s education continues uninterrupted.
Through this foundation, we’re creating lasting change in communities across the country. We’re building a support system that ensures no child is left behind, regardless of the unexpected challenges their families may face.
Join us in this mission. Together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to learn, grow, and reach their full potential, even when life takes an unexpected turn.
– Thad Pryor
Our Mission
Our mission is simple, “where no child is left behind”, as we aim to support children and families who experience adversity. We recognize that unexpected tragedy can derail a child’s life indefinitely and we exist to create a safety net that can catch families and propel them forward. The Pryor Family Foundation stands committed to championing the well-being and success of every child we serve.
Our Approach
At the Pryor Family Foundation, we believe in the power of early childhood education and the importance of uninterrupted learning, especially when families face unexpected challenges. Our approach is built on three key principles:
- Targeted Support: We focus on helping families overcome sudden adversities that could disrupt a child’s education. Rather than providing general tuition assistance, we offer targeted support for unexpected crises such as housing insecurity, medical emergencies, or natural disasters.
- Partnership with Schools: We work closely with our partner childcare centers and early education providers. These partnerships allow us to identify families in need quickly and provide timely, effective assistance. By integrating our resources with existing school systems, we create a robust support network for children and families.
- Sustainable Impact: Our goal is not just to offer immediate relief, but to build resilience within communities. Through our Rapid Response, Community, and Grants programs, we aim to create lasting change that helps families weather future challenges without interrupting their children’s education.
By combining these elements, we strive to ensure that no child’s learning journey is derailed by unexpected family circumstances. Our approach is designed to be responsive, efficient, and impactful, always keeping the child’s educational continuity at the forefront of our efforts.
Together with our partners and supporters, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities where every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the challenges they may face.
Who Provides What in Early Childhood Education
The Pryor Family Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part. EIN: 93-1342530
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