LANSING, Mich. – The ECIC Foundation, the newly launched philanthropic arm of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), today announced its inaugural annual fundraiser, First Steps, Bright Futures, to be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Grewal Hall, 224 N. Washington Ave., Lansing. All proceeds from the event will support the advancement of ECIC’s mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed in school and in life.
“There is no greater investment with a stronger or more proven return than early childhood, and while Michigan has made progress, there continues to be much ahead to best support young children and their families,” said Ja’Nel L. Jamerson, ECIC Foundation board chair and president & CEO of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence. “As families face mounting challenges, the launch of the ECIC Foundation, and events like this one, could not come at a more pivotal time.”
The timing of this inaugural event reflects the urgency of Michigan’s family affordability crisis. New statewide polling conducted by EPIC-MRA on behalf of a coalition of Michigan organizations found that 56% of Michigan voters believe the state should be doing more to support families, and a 69% majority agreed that families are bearing the heaviest burden from rising costs of basic necessities, including housing, food, and health care. These conditions make Michigan’s child care, home visiting, and early education services that reach the state’s youngest children more essential and more under-resourced than ever.
The annual fundraiser will serve as a celebration of Michigan’s early childhood community and the professionals who power it. The event will bring together philanthropic, corporate, and community leaders committed to building a stronger early childhood system in Michigan. Proceeds will go directly toward initiatives that elevate the issues affecting young children and their families and continuously improve Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system.
Early sponsors of the event include Michigan Community Action, Public Policy Associates and MPHI. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, and tickets are now on sale at ecic4kids.org/firststeps.
“The creation of the ECIC Foundation holds untold potential for philanthropic and advocacy-focused efforts to advance shared goals for young children and families in ways that public structures alone cannot,” said Alicia Guevara, CEO of ECIC and president of the ECIC Foundation. “After two decades of work alongside community, family leaders, and government, we are excited for this new opportunity to continue strengthening the system that families and young children rely on to thrive.”
To learn more about Michigan’s early childhood landscape, visit ecic4kids.org.
