Partnership with financial services company brings free pre-K learning to families in Columbus, Dallas and Salt Lake City
COLUMBUS, OHIO — A new partnership between ApSeed, a nonprofit working to expand kindergarten readiness, and Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions, is putting powerful early-learning tools directly into the hands of more than 200 preschoolers across the country.
Through a generous grant from Bread Financial, ApSeed is providing its purpose-built pre-K touchpads at no cost to families in three communities where Bread Financial associates live and work:
- Columbus, Ohio: 96 children through Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC)
- Dallas, Texas: 60 children through ChildCareGroup
- Salt Lake City, Utah: 50 children through Utah Community Action
The ApSeed touchpads are built just for preschoolers and are preloaded with 100+ interactive educational games and activities. The touchpads are designed specifically to help preschoolers build foundational kindergarten-readiness skills including letters, numbers, shapes, colors, sounds and more.
“Bread Financial isn’t simply funding this learning system — they’re investing in children’s futures,” said ApSeed founder Greg Alcorn. “The skills children develop before they ever walk through the kindergarten doors can influence everything that follows. We’re incredibly grateful they recognize the power of reaching children early and helping us put that opportunity directly into families’ hands.”
The three-city initiative is being implemented through established early-childhood organizations that already have trusted relationships with local families. The success of this effort has also prompted other donors to step up and help.
“We believe strong communities begin with creating opportunities for people to thrive, and that starts with our youngest learners,” said Vanessa Yahner, Bread Financial senior manager of sustainability & community relations. “We’re also thrilled that our investment is creating a ripple effect of positive change, inspiring other organizations and donors to step forward with new funding to bring even more ApSeed touchpads to children.”
Each ApSeed is paired with a kindergarten-readiness guide plus weekly coaching texts that give parents and caregivers simple ways to support learning at home.
Importantly, the ApSeed touchpad has no Wi-Fi, no camera and no internet access. Children get a fun, interactive learning experience without the distractions and risks of other internet-connected tablets that also require subscriptions, purchases and updating.
ApSeed works with schools, childcare centers and community organizations to reach preschoolers, particularly children who may not have access to high-quality pre-K programs or reliable internet.
The nonprofit’s goal is simple: Help more children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn – putting them on a stronger path to succeed in school and in life.
Here’s what our partners are saying:
Columbus: “Giving a child an ApSeed helps learning continue beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Gina Ginn, CEO of Columbus Early Learning Centers. “We’re grateful to Bread Financial and ApSeed for investing in our children and giving families another way to make learning part of everyday life on the go.”
Dallas: “Our families want their children to walk into kindergarten confident and ready, and this partnership gives them another powerful tool to help make that happen,” said Joy Campbell, ChildCareGroup’s senior director of Head Start services. “We’re tremendously grateful to Bread Financial and ApSeed for bringing this resource to our families.”
Salt Lake City: “Access to quality early-learning opportunities can make an enormous difference for a child,” said Patrice Dixon, COO for Utah Community Action. “Thanks to Bread Financial and ApSeed, children in our community will have learning right at their fingertips — wherever they go.”
About ApSeed
ApSeed is a nonprofit organization working to expand kindergarten readiness by putting safe, interactive pre-K learning directly into the hands of families. Its purpose-built educational touchpads require no Wi-Fi or internet access and are paired with family resources and ongoing support. ApSeed programs are funded by public and private donors so families receive them at no cost.
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Its payment solutions deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, technology, electronics, jewelry, home and specialty apparel through co-brand and private label credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to shared customers. Additionally, Bread Financial offers general purpose credit cards and saving products that empower customers and their passions for a better life.
Bread Financial proudly marks 30 years of success in 2026. To learn more about our global associates, our performance and our sustainability progress, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.