Fred Rogers Productions Secures PNC Grant

Fred Rogers Productions has been awarded a $1.3 million PNC Foundation grant to support Alma’s Way, its newest PBS KIDS series.

The grant comes through the foundation’s PNC Grow Up Great early childhood education initiative. Season two of Alma’s Way, created by Sonia Manzano (Sesame Street), is set to premiere on September 18 on PBS KIDS.

The series, which debuted in 2021, follows 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a confident Puerto Rican girl who lives in the Bronx with her family. In each episode, Alma models life lessons while encouraging kids to develop critical thinking skills.

The grant to Fred Rogers Productions supports the development of Alma’s Way engagement activities as well as ongoing support for Be My Neighbor Days, the community outreach initiative from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

“PNC Foundation is a valued supporter of educational programs for young children, and this grant for Alma’s Way will enable us to continue to fulfill our goal to provide enriching content and experiences for children and their families,” said Paul Siefken, president and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions. “We and PNC Foundation share a common goal of meeting the needs of kids where they are, and we look forward to continuing to serve our communities together.”

“When Fred Rogers Productions shared the Alma’s Way concept with us, we knew we wanted to play a role in bringing this important learning opportunity to young children,” said Sally McCrady, chair and president of PNC Foundation. “Investing in early education is a powerful way to create a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. That’s the driving force behind PNC Grow Up Great, which has been making an impact across our footprint for nearly 20 years.”