$1 billion new commitment from Connie and Steve Ballmer one of the largest philanthropic investments in early childhood education in history

Connie and Steve Ballmer are making one of the most significant philanthropic investments in early childhood education in U.S. history—a 10-year commitment of up to $170 million annually to expand Washington State’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.

Their goal is to help the state add as many as 10,000 new school-day preschool seats, boosting enrollment from about 14,500 children in 2026–27 to nearly 25,000 once expansion is complete.

ECEAP is a long-established public PreK program that pairs classroom instruction with health screenings, nutrition and family services — a model shown to improve kindergarten readiness and long-term outcomes.

Washington promised in 2010 to make ECEAP universally available to all eligible low-income children, but budget limits slowed progress.

The Ballmers’ funding is designed to accelerate the state’s existing plan without replacing public dollars.

The state will continue to set rates and oversee the program; Ballmer Group’s money simply pays for additional seats, flowing through a new state-managed account starting in 2026.

The gift requires lawmakers to maintain or increase current ECEAP funding throughout the decade.

For the Ballmers, the structure reflects their broader philanthropic philosophy: use private dollars to strengthen public systems that already work.

Through Ballmer Group, they have invested heavily in economic mobility efforts—from school support programs to data tools for social-service agencies and major early-learning and children’s mental-health initiatives.

Early childhood has become a core focus, and this latest commitment underscores their belief that helping children early is one of the most powerful levers for long-term opportunity.

Governor Bob Ferguson called the gift “incredible,” noting it arrives as Washington faces budget pressure and federal cuts to Head Start.

Eligibility for ECEAP currently includes families earning roughly $50,000 or less for a family of four, with expanded eligibility coming in 2030–31.

Taken together, the pledge is classic Connie and Steve Ballmer: a significant, steady investment meant to supercharge a public program, expand opportunity for low-income families, and give more Washington children the strong start they deserve.