LANSING, Mich. – The Early Childhood Investment Corporation has created a new philanthropic early childhood nonprofit, the ECIC Foundation, to strengthen and expand the impact of ECIC’s work on behalf of young children and their families. 

“The creation of the new 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 the ECIC. “After two decades of work alongside community, family leaders, and government, ECIC is excited for this new opportunity to strengthen the system that early childhood professionals, families, and young children rely on to thrive.”

The ECIC Foundation will focus on initiatives that align with ECIC’s mission and advance a strong, equitable early childhood system, while working to diversify funding, deepen partnerships, and increase impact. By engaging private philanthropy, corporate partners, and individual supporters, the Foundation will help catalyze innovation and build knowledge, ensure voices of families and early childhood professionals are centered in public policy, and invest in long-term change that supports the growth, development, and well-being of young children and their families in Michigan.

While ECIC plays a critical public role in leading, partnering, and supporting early childhood initiatives, the organization is limited in the types of funding it can accept and in the ways it can advocate. The ECIC Foundation addresses these gaps by:

• Unlocking new funding: Attracting philanthropic, corporate, and individual investments that are not always accessible to public or quasi-public entities.
• Supporting innovation: Providing flexible resources to test new ideas, seed promising approaches, build knowledge for the sector, and scale what works.
• Advocating for families and the workforce: Advancing awareness and advocacy efforts that elevate the needs of young children, families, and the early childhood workforce.
• Strengthening partnerships: Acting as a bridge between public institutions, community organizations, philanthropy, and the private sector.

“There is no greater investment with a stronger or more proven return than early childhood, and Michigan has a lot of work ahead to best support the early childhood workforce and families,” said Ja’Nel L. Jamerson, president and CEO of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence and the new ECIC Foundation Board Chair. “As families face mounting challenges to care, access, education, and financial support, the launch of the ECIC Foundation could not come at a more pivotal time.” 

The ECIC Foundation will complement ECIC’s public role by bringing additional philanthropic investment and advocacy capacity to Michigan’s early childhood system. Initial priorities include supporting the early childhood workforce, expanding access to high-quality child care and prekindergarten, and investing in innovative approaches that help communities better serve young children and families.

The ECIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a board of directors, and ECIC CEO Alicia Guevara will serve as the ECIC Foundation president. The ECIC Foundation will host an inaugural annual fundraising event in the fall. Learn more at www.ecic4kids.org/ecic-foundation.