Association for Early Learning Leaders: Getting Involved and Leaving a Legacy

In the final installment of our blog series featuring the Association for Early Learning Leaders, we highlight how you can get involved with upcoming AELL events, both in person and online, and help us leave a legacy for future generations of educators and the young children they serve by giving a gift. Read on to find out more.

Get Involved: Attend an Upcoming AELL Event

The Association for Early Learning Leaders offers meaningful ways to get involved, including a variety of events throughout the year, both in person and online.

You can register for upcoming webinar trainings and view past webinars for free by clicking here.

AELL hosts an annual Executive Invitational Series featuring collaborative training and networking with Owners and Executive Leaders from around the country and beyond. Space is limited and participants must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible to attend. You can find upcoming Executive Invitational dates on the AELL events calendar.

AELL also hosts an annual National Conference designed for early care and education directors, owners, VPs, managers, agency administrators, education coordinators, specialists, trainers and consultants, assistant directors, and emerging leaders. The annual conference features 35+ educational sessions on leadership, administration, finance, marketing, legal issues, and program quality presented by national experts. You can find details on the next National Conference on the AELL events calendar.

Finally, AELL offers LEAD! Regional Training Series events, which are held in the summer, fall, and winter seasons in different areas of the country that brings two-day, high quality, and affordable professional development right to you. LEAD! regional training events feature nationally respected trainers and sessions for both administrators and staff. You can learn more about LEAD! Regional Training Series events here.

Leave a Legacy: Make a Charitable Contribution

As an organization, the Association for Early Learning Leaders would not be able to carry out our mission of strengthening the knowledge, skills, and abilities of Early Childhood owners, directors, administrators, educators, and emerging leaders without the support of our generous donors.

As we approach Giving Tuesday and the end of the year, would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Association for Early Learning Leaders?

You may be uniquely positioned with the ability to invest in our organization, helping us continue to carry forward our legacy to future generations of educators.

Here are a few things to know as you consider your willingness and capacity to make a donation to AELL:

• If you are the owner of an IRA aged 70½ or older, then you are eligible to transfer up to $111,000 tax-free to charity in 2026. The limit is now adjusted for inflation each year.
• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are excluded from gross income, potentially lowering overall tax liability.
• If you are aged 73 or older, then QCDs count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
• RMDs must be completed by year-end.
• When making a QCD, the funds must be transferred directly from an IRA trustee to the eligible charitable organization.
• When filing your annual tax return, note that QCDs are reported on Form 1040, Line 4a and 4b. Be sure to write “QCD” next to Line 4b.
• Donors should obtain a written acknowledgement from the charity for their records.

To learn more, read our guide: What Can a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) Do for You?

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Association for Early Learning Leaders, click here. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about this wonderful organization and choose to become a member in order to benefit from the work they are doing to invest in Early Childhood Education professionals.

The Association for Early Learning Leaders Series

This post is part of our four-part series on AELL. Read the full series:

1. Part 1: Path to Accreditation
2. Part 2: Membership Benefits
3. Part 3: Mission and Vision
4. Part 4: Getting Involved and Leaving a Legacy (you are here)

New to accreditation? Start with our three-part series: Accreditation for Early Childhood Education Providers: An Overview, Benefits and Standards, and Path to Accreditation.

Honest Buck Accounting partners with childcare professionals, helping them to build a strong financial foundation with a variety of expert accounting services. Schedule a free consultation to learn more. Contact us today.