Foundation for Early Learning Is 8 Years Old

On April 10, 2000, the leaders of the Governor’s Commission for Early Learning incorporated the Washington Early Learning Foundation, later renamed to Foundation for Early Learning to reflect what the organization does- which is building the foundations necessary for early learning to flourish in Washington State. Mona Locke became the board chair and the founding board was comprised of Kathryn Barnard, Jim Sinegal, Jim Dagnon and Tom Vander Ark. The mission of the newly formed foundation was that every child in Washington State would enter school prepared to be successful. Eight years later, the Foundation for Early Learning is still working to make sure that every child in Washington enters school prepared to succeed. I have had the privilege of being the first Executive Director, hired in October 2000. It seems fitting for me to be writing this now as I will be stepping down in September and making way for a new Executive Director to take the Foundation to its next level of development and success.

 

A lot has happened in the past eight years, both for the Foundation and for the field of Early Learning. We now have quite a few partners and funders who are focused on Early Learning, a governor who has made it a priority, Nobel Laureates in Economics preaching the value of investing in young children, and presidential candidates talking about early learning as a vital part of the education continuum. It hasn’t always been this way and I am proud that the Foundation for Early Learning has played and continues to play an important role in the evolution of the early learning field. Below are some of the accomplishments the Foundation has over the years:

2000

• First grant given to support the “TEACH” program - a scholarship program for childcare providers to get their degrees and certifications
• Foundation funded first statewide public engagement campaign

 

2001

• First round of grants given
• Foundation starts the Affinity Group for Funders of Early Learning

 

2002

• Foundation, Project Lift Off and other partners receive a federal Early Learning Opportunity Act grant to link Family, Friend and Neighbor providers and start Getting School Ready® campaign in King County.
• Foundation and partners develop and distribute Getting School Ready® booklets

 

2003

• Foundation starts Early Care and Education Coalition (EC2) to create a statewide public awareness campaign. Kirlin Foundation and CHEF join EC2 as funders.
• First Leadership Luncheon is held with former Governor Jim Hunt of North Carolina as the keynote speaker
• Foundation joins Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC), a national group of funders
• Planning and implementation grants given to Clark County to establish Project SELF, a coalition of service providers in early learning.

 

2004

• EC2 becomes a public/private partnership with 20 members
• Foundation invests in Clark County to create the Clark County Early Learning Fund Honoring Rick and Sarah Melching (CCELF)
• First Leadership Luncheon held in Clark County to benefit CCELF
• Foundation hosts ECFC in Seattle; Gates Foundation and Kirlin Foundation become members of ECFC
• Foundation transfers the responsibility for the Affinity Group for Funders of Early Learning to Philanthropy Northwest

 

2005

• Foundation partners with Boeing and the State to ensure that Getting School Ready® booklets go out in Child Profile mailings
• Foundation, Gates Foundation and Talaris begin discussion re: a Public/Private Partnership dedicated to early learning in Washington State
• 2006
• Foundation board votes to allow EC2 become Thrive by Five Washington (TBF)
• Mona Locke joins TBF board Jeanne Anderson joins TBF Advisory Council
• Board develops a new approach in grantmaking for the Foundation - coalition building, technical assistance and support

 

2007

• New grantmaking strategy is finalized and publicly unveiled
• Mona Locke steps down as board chair after seven years; Marleen Alhadeff becomes new board chair

 

 

2008

 

• Foundation funds and provides technical assistance to Getting School Ready® coalitions in 23 Washington counties
• Foundation partners with 23 public libraries across the state to “bring the libraries to the early learning table”
• Foundation sponsors and participates in Seeds of Compassion

 

 

 

These are just a sampling of the Foundation’s accomplishments. When I look at what has happened these past eight years, I have a profound sense of pride and joy for what we achieved. Leaving this wonderful organization and the people associated with it is difficult but I know that it is the best thing for me to do - for the Foundation, the children, my family and me. I look forward to reading what the next Executive Director has to report eight years from now.

 

Thanks so much for your support

 

 

Jeanne