The David and Lucile Packard Foundation convened a group of national early childhood funders in 2015 to explore making collective investments to test ways to achieve kindergarten readiness at scale. Over a two-year process of meeting with thought partners, researchers, and key stakeholders, the funders have launched two Big Bets—or large, pooled philanthropic investments aimed at creating impact at scale. These Big Bets have resulted in 18 donors contributing over $25 million in funds aimed at scaling quality care for kids—with one Bet focused on the role of pediatricians in children’s social and emotional well-being, and the other on professionalizing the early childhood workforce.
Funded by a grant from the Packard Foundation and the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation, this report by The Bridgespan Group looks back at the process the funders went through to collaborate, seminal moments along the way including key “go or no-go” decisions, and important learnings about their work so far.
