Solutions

We fund solutions that meaningfully improve outcomes that matter for kindergarten readiness, proven in rigorous studies with a control group, and that are scalable such that they can grow to impact hundreds of thousands of children in need with credible sources of sustainable revenue. See our grantee spotlights on Waterford Upstart, Centering Healthcare Institute, and Family Connects for examples.

Research

We fund research efforts that increase knowledge of what works to improve kindergarten readiness – so that practitioners and policy-makers can adopt those solutions. Examples include the CAPER Study at the University of Chicago’s Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab and Baby’s First Years.

Field-building

We fund field-building efforts that develop tools and resources needed to remove barriers and to build the field’s capacity to improve kindergarten readiness. Examples include Promise Venture Studio, and the IMPACT Measures Tool by EC PRISM.

Policy

We fund early childhood policy organizations that drive public funds toward evidence-based policies and practices and improve outcomes for young children. Examples include the Alliance for Early Success, First Five Years Fund, The Hunt Institute, and the Prenatal-to-Three Policy Impact Center.

Our Early Childhood Development Portfolio

All Our Kin

Training, supporting, and sustaining family child care providers

Alliance for Early Success

Working to achieve equitable state early childhood policies that support young children and their families

AVANCE

Building better and brighter futures for underserved families through education programs that meet families where they are

Baby’s First Years

Exploring the connections between poverty reduction and brain development among young children

Centering Healthcare Institute

Improving health, transforming care, and disrupting inequitable systems through the Centering group model

Code for America

Using technology and human-centered design to improve public services that reduce poverty and advance equity

DonorsChoose

Making it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need

Global Scales of Early Development Project at the University of Nebraska Medical Center

Advancing population-level measures of early childhood development

IMPACT Measures Tool by EC PRISM

Providing a database of early childhood and parenting measures and educational tools that improve the quantity and quality of measurement in the field

Family Connects

Connecting parents of newborns to the community resources they need through postpartum nurse home visits

First Five Years Fund

Advocating for and advancing federal investment in early childhood education for children in under-resourced communities from birth to age five

HealthySteps

Transforming the promise of pediatric primary care

The Hunt Institute

Bringing together people and resources to inspire and inform elected officials and policymakers about issues in education

LENA

Transforming children's futures through early talk technology and data-driven programs

Math Shelf

Providing a tablet-based early math program that prepares young children for lifelong success

Nurse-Family Partnership

Empowering first-time moms to transform their lives and create better futures for themselves and their babies

ParentCorps

ParentCorps transforms the pre-K experience in historically disinvested neighborhoods by helping schools partner with families to build a future where all children thrive

Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center

Translating the science of the developing child into the most effective policy actions and public investments for states

Promise Venture Studio

Helping entrepreneurs in the early childhood sector reach greater scale and impact

Reach Out and Read

Working to strengthen relationships for families with young children through books and guidance about shared reading from dedicated medical clinicians.

ParentPowered

Providing a text-based family engagement solution that increases literacy skills in young children

TalkingPoints

Driving student success by using accessible technology to unlock the potential of family engagement - especially in under-resourced communities

Too Small To Fail

Surrounding families with early learning opportunities and partnering to prepare young children for success in kindergarten and beyond

Waterford Upstart

Partnering with families, educators, and communities to help every child build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life

Wildflower Schools

An ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that give all children and families the opportunity to choose high quality, beautiful learning environments

Explore our impact areas and learn about our grantees.

Early Childhood Development

Valhalla’s goal is to dramatically improve kindergarten readiness in the U.S., so that all children—and particularly low-income children and children of color—get off to a strong start in learning and life.

48%

75%

Valhalla Foundation funds proven solutions, research, field-building efforts, and policy organizations that aim to close these gaps and help all children enter kindergarten ready to learn.