Ballmer Group Philanthropy has dedicated almost $1 billion over the subsequent 10 years to considerably improve entry to preschool for low-income households in Washington.
The state’s 40-year-old Early Childhood Training Help Program (ECEAP) at present serves greater than 14,000 college students. The brand new funding will add about 10,000 extra seats, beginning with 2,000 new seats subsequent 12 months.
Representatives from the Ballmer Group, based by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his spouse Connie Ballmer, introduced the reward in the present day together with Governor Bob Ferguson, legislators, and educators.
To make use of the funds, states can not scale back the variety of state-funded ECEAP seats.
The help comes as Washington faces a finances shortfall, with the Trump administration beforehand withholding funding for Head Begin and doubtlessly ramping up preschool applications.
“Balmer Group’s funding will set up an progressive public-private partnership that may rework the lives of 1000’s of Little Washington residents and their households,” mentioned Ferguson.
The charity beforehand donated $43 million in 2023 to help early childhood training in Washington.
Ballmer, who led Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, has a internet value of $154.2 billion, in accordance with Forbes. He stays the tech large’s largest shareholder.
