Former Microsoft CEOs philanthropy will donate up to 170M a year for free preschool in state

The Ballmer Group pledged up to $170 million each year for the next decade to expand Washington's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), potentially funding 10,000 new slots for low-income families. Governor Bob Ferguson described the funding as "truly transformative," emphasizing its importance amid state budget cuts. The state has committed to maintaining ECEAP funding levels for the next ten years, a crucial measure given recent budget reductions that have cut about 2,000 slots. Established in 1985, ECEAP offers free early learning services to children ages 3 and 4, similar to the federal Head Start program. While participants tend to be better prepared for kindergarten, their long-term academic success shows less correlation with standardized test scores.

The Ballmers expressed a commitment to help Washington achieve its goal of universal access to quality early education. The exact annual funding amount will depend on demand for additional slots and provider availability. Ferguson aims to enroll an additional 2,000 children in the upcoming school year, viewing this investment as an opportunity to maximize state resources.