The Wheaton Warrenville Early Childhood Collective just received $50,000 from DuPage Foundation's Bright & Early DuPage initiative to expand early learning access for local children.

The collaborative, led by project director Annie Behrens at Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, was one of seven county groups sharing $340,500 in the 2026 grant cycle announced Monday, Aug. 17. The grants support organizations working to connect children from birth to age five with learning opportunities before they enter kindergarten.

"Strong communities begin with solid foundations for our youngest residents," said Barb Szczepaniak, DuPage Foundation vice president for programs. She added that the foundation is proud to support organizations making quality early childhood education more accessible across DuPage County.

The WWECC has been active locally this summer. On June 26, the collaborative co-hosted a Community Partner Playdate at Wheaton Public Library where families accessed developmental screenings and early childhood programming resources.

Bright & Early DuPage launched in 2013 and now serves communities across roughly half of DuPage County. The foundation did not detail how the WWECC will spend its award.

The other six grantees are Addison Partners for Play, Learning & Education ($50,000), Bensenville Early Learners Supporters ($50,000), Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative ($50,000), Villa Park Area Early Childhood Collaborative ($40,500), WeGo Together for Kids ($50,000) and Willowbrook Community Early Childhood Collaborative ($50,000).

The grants cap a busy year for DuPage Foundation's grantmaking. In its spring Community Impact cycle, the foundation awarded $1.3 million to 71 county nonprofits and boosted health and human services funding by 40% over the prior spring.

Families in the Wheaton and Warrenville area seeking early childhood resources can contact the WWECC through Metropolitan Family Services DuPage at 630-784-4860.