Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning

What Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning does

Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2011-2013 and headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, that serves as the backbone organization for a collective impact model supporting families with children from birth to age five across eleven communities in the School District U-46 area. The organization coordinates a network of over 140 partner organizations — spanning schools, healthcare providers, libraries, social services, faith-based groups, and local businesses — to deliver free early childhood programs including The Basics of Greater Elgin (a community-wide deployment of Harvard-originated, science-based parenting principles), Basics Insights (a free bilingual text messaging program delivering science-based tips to parents of children birth to age 3), Learning On the Go (an 8-week summer neighborhood initiative serving 603 adults and 1,137 children in Summer 2025), Connect & Play bilingual playgroups, StoryWalk outdoor literacy installations, and Language in the Laundromat programming. EPEL's distribution model is distinctive for its non-traditional last-mile approach, meeting families in parks, laundromats, food pantries, and pop-up sites rather than centralized facilities, with multilingual support in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic.

The organization's business model is grant-funded nonprofit operations with all programs provided free of charge to families. Documented revenue sources include foundation grants (Seigle Foundation $80K cumulative across 2023-2024, Dollar General Literacy Foundation $2,500 in 2023, SBB Research Group Foundation $5,000 in October 2025), United Way Metro Chicago support, state-level funding (Healing Illinois/Field Foundation, Birth to Five Illinois), individual and organizational donations, and a stated $80,000 fundraising goal for The Basics of Greater Elgin expansion. EPEL operates with 3 full-time staff (Executive Director Amber Peters, Community and Family Engagement Program Manager Andrea Vargas, Basics of Greater Elgin Coordinator Karen Ceballos) and a 14-member volunteer Executive Board drawn from local government, healthcare, education, and finance sectors. The organization received the School District U-46 2026 Business Partner of the Year award and the Community Engagement Award from The Basics, Inc. Network at its 2026 national conference in Boston. U-46 kindergarten readiness improved from 10% (2017) to 24%+ (2022) during EPEL's operational tenure, though the organization itself attributes only a portion of this improvement to its programming.

Name

Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning

Legal name

Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning

Website

https://enrichingpartnerships.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the backbone organization for early childhood initiatives across eleven School District U-46 communities in Greater Elgin, Illinois, coordinating 140+ partners to deliver free, community-based programs supporting families with children birth to age five.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Services (611), Child Care Services (62441), Child Care Services (6244), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Engagement & Take-Home Learning Materials (Home Packs, Parent Guides) (EDACAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB), Digital/Interactive Curriculum Content (Apps, Games, Multimedia Lessons) (EDACAJAK), Inclusion-Focused SEL for Diverse Learners (ECE) (EDACAOAK), Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping Resources (State/NAEYC/Head Start) (EDACAJAN)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Family engagement services
• Kindergarten readiness programs
• Community partnership nonprofit
• Child development resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Elgin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: EPEL operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from foundations, government agencies, and institutional donors. Major funders include Seigle Foundation, SBB Research Group Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, United Way Metro Chicago, and various municipal and state sources.
2. Donations: Individual and organizational donations from community members and partners. The organization accepts donations via website, mail, and QR code, with stated fundraising goal of $80,000 for The Basics of Greater Elgin expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EPEL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community backbone organization that delivers free early childhood education and family engagement programs to families with children from birth to age five across eleven communities in the School District U-46 footprint of Greater Elgin, Illinois. Its core initiative, The Basics of Greater Elgin, disseminates five science-based parenting principles through neighborhood-based programs, bilingual playgroups (Connect & Play), summer mobile learning (Learning On the Go), an SMS text-messaging program (Basics Insights), laundromat and park-based literacy outreach, and a childcare assistance navigation service.

Product overview

Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL) is a non-profit community organization that serves as the hub of the early childhood system across eleven communities in School District U-46. Rather than a traditional software product, EPEL offers a portfolio of community programs and resources. The core initiative is The Basics of Greater Elgin, which provides five science-based principles for early childhood development. This is supported by community-based programs including Learning On the Go (summer neighborhood learning), Connect & Play (bilingual playgroups), Basics Insights (text messaging tips), and the Getting Ready for Kindergarten Family Engagement Guide. EPEL also provides childcare navigation assistance, StoryWalk outdoor reading, Language in the Laundromat literacy programs, and a Parent Ambassador program. These offerings work together to engage families, provide early learning resources, and support kindergarten readiness across the Greater Elgin Area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Basics of Greater Elgin: A community-wide early childhood initiative launched in 2025 that equips parents and caregivers with five science-based principles to support early brain development in children from birth to age five: Maximize Love Manage Stress, Talk Sing and Point, Count Group and Compare, Explore Through Movement and Play, and Read and Discuss Stories
• Learning On the Go (LOG)
• Basics Insights
• Connect & Play
• Family Partner Program

Products and services

• The Basics of Greater Elgin Community-wide initiative providing five science-based parenting and caregiving principles to support early brain development in children from birth to age five, including Basics Insights text messaging and community engagement stations, for families in the Greater Elgin area.
• Learning On the Go 8-week summer initiative operating in Elgin, Hanover Park, and Streamwood neighborhoods, bringing early learning and family engagement directly into communities through play-based experiences, story time, and resource connections. Served 603 adults and 1,137 children in Summer 2025.
• Connect & Play Free bilingual playgroup for families with children birth to five, held at neighborhood-based settings to explore play-based learning, build early literacy and social-emotional skills.
• Basics Insights Free text messaging program for parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers that sends science-based tips to boost child development, delivering two messages weekly until the child turns three. Available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic; restricted to families within School District U-46 boundaries.
• StoryWalk Outdoor storybook reading experience where families read books displayed along walking paths in community parks, promoting literacy and physical activity.
• Language in the Laundromat Early literacy program bringing books and reading activities to families while they wait at laundromats, expanding access to early learning in everyday settings.
• Family Partner / Parent Ambassador Program Family Partners serve as Parent Ambassadors in the community, helping share early learning resources, connect families to programs, and support young children in getting ready for school and life.
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Navigation Assists low-income working families with navigating childcare services and understanding funding assistance eligibility, funded by Illinois Department of Human Services.
• Find Childcare Online resource helping families find child care options based on locations, including providers offering childcare assistance funding and eligibility information.
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten Family Engagement Guide Developmentally appropriate guide offering daily activities to enhance skills needed for kindergarten readiness, distributed through libraries, health facilities, businesses, and laundromats.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kindergarten readiness improved from 10% (2017) to 24%+ for School District U-46 students
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core partner and partner.

• School District U-46core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond-largest district in Illinois serving Elgin and ten surrounding communities. EPEL launched The Basics of Greater Elgin initiative in partnership with U-46. Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Johnson featured at launch event.
• Northern Illinois Food Bankcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for summer mobile pantry distributions at Learning On the Go sites, providing nutritious food access to families. 768 families served through five summer mobile pantries.
• Gail Borden Public Librarycore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides mobile library bus services at Learning On the Go sites enabling book checkout. Library partners support early literacy through book distributions and reading programs.
• St. Paul's United Church of ChristpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal diaper partner distributing 5,780 diapers to families, giving families peace of mind and reducing stress around everyday needs for children.
• Birth to Five IllinoispartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level early childhood organization partner supporting community initiatives and family engagement efforts in the Greater Elgin area.
• Kane County Health DepartmentpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic health partner supporting health and development initiatives, contributing to the comprehensive early childhood system approach.
• Elgin Parks and RecreationpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides lunches for children at Learning On the Go summer sites and access to neighborhood parks for programming.
• The Basics, Inc.core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing The Basics framework and principles. EPEL serves as backbone organization for The Basics of Greater Elgin local implementation. Dr. Ron Ferguson, Harvard faculty, founded The Basics.
• YWCA Elgincore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime partner in early childhood collaboration. EPEL previously operated through YWCA Elgin collaboration before receiving independent 501(c)(3) status.
• Associates in Pediatrics S.C.partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner hosting Teddy Bear Clinic events at parks to help children build confidence and learn healthy habits through pretend play.
• Elgin Area Chamber of CommercepartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual meeting venue and recognition partner. Hosted 2026 Business Partner of the Year award presentation to EPEL.
• Two Rivers Head StartpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly childhood education provider partner participating in Learning On the Go community programming.
• VNA Health CarepartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing services and resources at community engagement events.
• Boys and Girls Club Preschool For AllpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly learning provider partner in community engagement programming.
• City of ElginpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner supporting community early childhood initiatives and family engagement programs.
• Elgin TownshippartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner supporting early childhood community collaboration.
• Advocate Sherman HospitalpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partner offering FREE Empowered Pregnancy class for expecting parents. Fran Teti-Teal serves on EPEL Board representing the hospital.
• Alignment Collaborative for EducationpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation alignment organization hosting career exploration events introducing middle school students to early childhood education career paths.
• Erikson InstitutepartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate school specializing in child development providing research support and early childhood expertise to the collaboration.
• Elgin Hispanic NetworkpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization supporting Latino families recognized EPEL with honor in 2021 for serving the community.
• Blue Kangaroo LaundromatpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business partner hosting Language in the Laundromat early literacy programming bringing books and learning to families doing laundry.
• Centro de InformaciónpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish-language information center partner providing resources and referrals to Latino families in the community.
• Young, Black & LitpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing book donations to support diverse home libraries for children.
• Elevate & Sustain LLC ConsultingpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting firm sponsoring 'Coffee with a Purpose' events. Board Member Joy D'Amico founded the company and speaks at career events about early childhood education careers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@enrichingpartnerships/videos
• Instagraminstagram.com/enrichingpartnerships

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning