Early Childhood Education Philanthropy News
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Tracking Young Families’ Wellbeing as Economic Hardship Spikes
The RAPID Survey Project is showing just how many families with young children are facing economic hardship-related stress right now. Here’s why funders have gotten behind its work.
“All Hands on Deck” as Trump Aims to Eliminate Head Start
Ending the six-decade-old preschool program for low-income families would be a devastating setback, not least for early ed funders trying to address the nation’s child care crisis.
How the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Plans to Spend $1.1 Billion by 2035
The late Buffalo Bills owner decided before he died that he wanted his foundation to exist for only 20 years. But he left it to foundation trustees to figure out the spend-down path. Here’s a look at the state of play.
A Former NFL Player Started an Environmental Education School. How’s That Going?
Robert Golden’s Fresno-based Golden Charter Academy places a distinctive focus on environmental literacy. The school has come a long way in just a few years.
Laurene Powell Jobs’ XQ Institute Is on a Mission to Remake High School
Since 2015, the Emerson Collective affiliate has been working with schools, districts and states to make high school more engaging and relevant, and to promote student success.
Why the Bezos Family Foundation Backs Early Care That Centers Dads
Home visiting improves health, encourages early literacy and strengthens families. This pilot program aims to make sure dads are involved, too.
How HP Foundation’s Working to Shrink the Global Digital Divide
The technology firm’s Digital Equity Accelerator is addressing gaps in digital access at a time of deep uncertainty for global giving.
Sign of the Times? The Dells Grow Their Foundation by a Cool $5 Billion
As their wealth doubled, the billionaire couple have grown their foundation more than four-fold in roughly two years. Is this a preview of what’s to come as tech founders overtake traditional philanthropy?
Nick Kristof’s Holiday Impact Prize Supports Reading From Day One
The New York Times columnist’s end-of-year effort has ramped up via a key partnership, with a focus this year on early literacy and global health.
Inside the Bainum Family Foundation’s Deepening Support for Early Ed
The longstanding youth funder recently doubled down on its support for very young children with a five-year, $100 million funding commitment. We explore Bainum’s early childhood work and where it’s heading.
Bainum: How a Youth-Focused Family Philanthropy Has Evolved Over Five Decades
The Bainum Family Foundation, built on a hospitality fortune, has been singularly focused on young people since it got off the ground in 1968. But it’s also changed quite a bit through the generations. Here’s a close look.
One Organization’s Quest to Forge a Civic Path Out of the Culture Wars, and Rally Funders
The Harwood Institute is working to help communities find common ground and avoid the political and cultural clashes that are dividing the country. It’s also seeking to bring more philanthropic funders to that work.
This Pooled Fund Is Driving Progress for Early Care — and Confronting a Possible Setback in D.C.
Against the backdrop of a nationwide child care crisis, the Raising Child Care Fund is getting behind efforts to support early educators across the country. But in the nation’s capital, one such initiative is on the chopping block.
How a Family Foundation Backs a Multifaceted Approach to Lifting Families Out of Poverty
For over a decade, the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation has backed LIFT, which works to combat generational poverty by providing funds, coaching and support — and its model is showing results.
L.A. Foundations Back Renovation of a Historic Facility Serving Children with Visual Impairments
An early education center for children with visual impairments has a long history in Los Angeles and deep philanthropic roots. Now, it is getting a much-needed upgrade, thanks to a new public-private partnership.
New Funding Initiative Aims to Boost Wages for Early Educators — And Help Fix a Broken System
Against the backdrop of a national child care crisis, the Early Educator Investment Collaborative just launched an effort to boost worker pay by building on progress made during the pandemic.
What’s the Plan for the Moody Foundation’s Texas-Sized Pledge to Lone Star State Students?
The Texas-based family foundation, among the state’s largest, just stepped up for students with a $1 billion education pledge. It’s a worthy move, but also shines a light on the state’s failures when it comes to public funding for schools.
A Philanthropy Built on Chocolate Expands its Mission to Support Early Childhood
Chocolate magnate Milton Hershey and his wife Catherine left behind a fortune to provide a K-12 education for low-income children. Now, the Hershey Trust is opening a fleet of new schools for younger students.
Hands-On Help: The Other Side of MacKenzie Scott’s Recent Early Childhood Ramp-Up
In her early childhood giving this year, MacKenzie Scott is pairing advocacy with direct service funding, including support for programs that provide one-on-one, in-home maternal and infant healthcare.
Righting the World: How Five Globally Bestselling Authors Give
While writers don’t often make it into the ranks of the very rich, these bestselling authors have engaged in some substantial philanthropy. Their giving varies widely, but they do share some interests in common.
MacKenzie Scott’s Recent Giving for Early Education Spotlights the Power of Advocacy
Much of the celebrated megadonor’s recent giving has made its way to organizations promoting early childhood care and education. Many place their focus on advocacy, a strategy some other funders are hesitant to support.
Recent Layoffs Raise Questions About the Future of Education Funding at CZI
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a committed ed funder, just cut its education team by 30%. What do these layoffs mean for the philanthropy’s education support going forward?
Facing Deep Regional Inequality, Silicon Valley Community Foundation Zeroes in on Early Childhood
Silicon Valley has pockets of deep poverty — and child care deserts — alongside areas of immense, tech-fueled wealth. SVCF’s Christine Thorsteinson details the foundation’s efforts boost access to quality early education.
Inside a Media Funding Partnership to Get the Word Out about Early Childhood
Backing journalism can be a powerful way for philanthropy to raise the profile of critical but neglected issues like early childhood care and education. Here’s one new example out of Los Angeles.
To Start Children on the Right Path, Funders Seek to Strengthen Earliest Relationships
There’s a growing body of research showing that early childhood bonds have a profound impact on development and wellbeing. Foundations are working together in an effort to bolster these critical relationships.
“Rockstar Successful.” Why Early Ed Funders Are Backing This Unique Approach to Training Educators
One thing holding back the American early childhood education system is a serious teacher shortage. EDvance is making the required education more accessible, drawing support from the Heising-Simons Foundation and others.
An Audacious Effort to Transform the Foster Care System Gets a Big Funding Boost
Think of Us has a bold mission: to transform the foster care system from the ground up. The organization’s approach, which elevates those with lived experience, landed a major haul from The Audacious Project and others.
How the Ballmers Aim to Build and Diversify the Early Ed Workforce in Washington State
The foundation of this billionaire donor couple has made early childhood education a priority, most recently in an effort to strengthen the struggling early educator workforce through a mix of strategies.
A Conversation With Sushma Raman, the New President and CEO of Heising-Simons Foundation
This Bay Area funder moved $155 million last year for a mix of science, education, climate and more. We talked to the head of the foundation about her plans, the state of philanthropy, and what she likes to do in her free time.
Backed by a Broad Swath of Patient Funders, Early Ed Advocates Scored a Major Win in New Mexico
As support for early childhood education stalls in Washington, advocates and funders are focusing on the states. In New Mexico, a range of funders providing both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) support contributed to a big win.
