Duolingo’s Early Learners First Initiative

Language-learning tech company, Duolingo, launched its Early Learners First program in 2023, committing $1 million per year to strengthen childcare and early education in the city of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh, like many U.S. cities, has a fragmented early education system with limited slots and tight budgets. Many high-quality childcare programs struggle to retain staff or expand capacity due to funding constraints. The imminent expiration of the Federal government’s American Rescue Plan threatened the survival of one in three childcare centers in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, working parents—including Duolingo’s own employees—face waitlists and high costs. Duolingo identified that the health of the local childcare ecosystem directly affects its talent pipeline: employees and potential hires need reliable care options in order to work.

Duolingo pledged to invest $1 million annually into Pittsburgh’s early learning network through its Early Learners First program—dedicated to enhancing access to quality, affordable childcare and early education in Pittsburgh. In its first phase, Duolingo awarded grants to nine local childcare providers—a mix of centers and preschool programs—to help them increase enrollment capacity, improve facilities, and support staff. These providers, located in various neighborhoods use the funds to hire more teachers, open additional classrooms, and enhance quality. In return, they commit to maintaining affordability and quality standards. Future phases of the program will fund tuition-free slots for qualifying low-income families at these centers.

~6-12 months