Bainum Family Action Fund

TO PROMOTE SOCIAL WELFARE THROUGH ADVOCATING AND FUNDING POLICIES IMPACTING EARLY CHILDHOOD.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: THE FUND HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON RESEARCH, LEARNING HOW BEST TO DEPLOY ITS FUNDS, AND BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FROM WHICH IT CAN LAUNCH PROGRAM INITIATIVES. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN EQUIPPING THE FUND TO ADVANCE POLICY CHANGE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN THROUGH BUILDING UP THE FINANCIAL, LEGAL, TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATIONS AND EVALUATION INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO COMPLIANTLY OPERATE A 501(C)(4) ALONGSIDE A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ENGAGING EXPERTS TO ADVISE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL POLICY MATTERS, AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. THE PROGRAM HAS ALSO CONVENED TEAMS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION FOR GROUP LEARNING, PROBLEM-SOLVING AND DECISION-MAKING. THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HAS PRODUCED A DELIBERATE AND THOUGHTFUL PROCESS THAT POSITIONS THE FUND TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND IMPACTFUL FUNDER IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD POLICY ARENA.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVOCACY AND POLICY: BECAUSE THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF LIFE ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AND CAN AFFECT LEARNING, BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH OVER AN ENTIRE LIFETIME, WE SUPPORT CHILDREN'S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING FROM BIRTH TO AGE 3. WE ENGAGE POLICY/ADVOCACY PARTNERS TO INCREASE PUBLIC FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THIS WORK INCLUDES PUBLIC AWARENESS, POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE AND COALITION BUILDING. WE ALSO PROVIDE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS TO ENSURE THAT POLICY GAPS ARE ADDRESSED, AND PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED. POLICY PARTNERS INTENTIONALLY CENTER THEIR WORK ON THE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCES OF FAMILIES, MENTAL HEALTH CARE SPECIALISTS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS. DURING FY 2021, WE COLLABORATED WITH THESE PARTNERS ON HOW FUNDING WOULD BE USED AND TO ALIGN ON POTENTIAL OUTCOMES. AS AN OUTCOME, THE FIRST GRANTS WERE ISSUED IN FY 2022.