Support
Support
In Virginia, child care isn’t just about care—it’s about opportunity. Nearly 70% of our young children have working parents, yet too many families struggle to find safe, high-quality early learning programs that support the most critical years of development. When families lack access, it affects children, parents, businesses, and communities.
State and federal investments have helped, but significant funding gaps remain, particularly for families facing economic barriers.
Public funding alone can’t meet the need, your support is essential.
Foundation First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality early learning for all Virginia families, strengthening children’s brain development from the very start, ensuring parents can work and thrive, and building the strong, resilient workforce our communities need for the future.
Goals
From a child’s very first years, access to safe, nurturing learning environments shapes lifelong health, learning, and opportunity for Virginia’s families and communities.
Nearly 70% of Virginia children under age 6 have all parents in the workforce. Yet, too many families struggle to find affordable, high-quality care close to home.
Although families count on early learning to help children thrive, thousands of Virginia infants and toddlers lack access to high-quality early education during the years when 90% of the brain develops.
Strong early childhood systems fuel strong communities, creating a prepared workforce, supporting local businesses, and strengthening Virginia’s economic future.
Investing in Virginia’s Future Starts Early
In Virginia, child care isn’t just about care — it’s about opportunity. Nearly 70% of our young children have working parents, yet too many families struggle to find safe, high-quality early learning programs that nurture a child’s brain during the most critical years of development. When families can’t access the care they need, it impacts everything: children’s well-being, parents’ ability to work, business productivity, and the economic strength of our communities.
State and federal investments — including quality improvement and child care access grants — have helped advance progress. But funding gaps still exist, especially for infants and toddlers, families facing economic barriers, and child care programs trying to keep doors open and classrooms staffed. Public dollars alone can’t solve the scale of need.
That’s why early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can make. High-quality programs fuel healthy brain development, support parents’ careers, reduce future public costs, and build a stronger workforce — one curious, capable child at a time.
Foundation First brings together families, child care providers, local businesses, community partners, and state and local agencies to strengthen early childhood opportunities and create innovative solutions where they’re needed most.
Why Your Support Matters
Your investment helps us:
- Expand access to affordable, high-quality early learning across every locality in our region
- Partner with families to ensure they can find and choose the programs that best support their children
- Strengthen the early childhood workforce through coaching, professional development, and fair funding
- Improve program quality so all children benefit from safe, enriching learning environments
- Build lasting community solutions that ensure early childhood systems work for everyone — not just a few
Every dollar fuels both immediate impact for families and long-term success for Virginia.
Take Action
Donate
Invest in children today and strengthen Virginia’s future.
Partner With Us
Champion early childhood solutions as a business, foundation, or community leader.
Advocate
Raise your voice for policies that support families, educators, and equitable access to care.