Who We Are
Working Together for Every Child
Foundation First is committed to transforming children’s lives because we know it will change our world.
Only 1 in 4 children enters kindergarten ready to succeed. A strong foundation sets the stage for a child’s educational journey, future career, health, and overall well-being.
Investing in early education is not just the right thing to do, it’s a smart investment with lasting returns. Foundation First brings together families, businesses, community organizations, and state and local agencies to strengthen early childhood education programs and create new solutions where they’re needed most.
Foundation First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving early childhood education across our region—ensuring every child starts kindergarten with a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Who We Serve
Families
Providers & Observers
Communities
Our Partners
Did You Know?
1 in 4 children in our region arrive in kindergarten without the basic skills to succeed.
90% of a child’s brain is developed before reaching kindergarten.
Studies show that every $1 invested in early childhood education returns up to $17 to our community.
When at-risk children experience high-quality early learning programs, they have better school, employment and life outcomes.
The seeds of desirable workforce skills – critical thinking, teamwork, effective communication – are planted before the age of 5.
Early experiences carry lifelong effects, not just on cognitive and emotional development, but also on long-term physical health.
