Advocacy & Policy Portfolio

Business Partnership for Early Learning is a group of business leaders in King County that has decided to step forward to invest in school readiness for children most likely to be left behind. The group is funding, deploying and testing a unique multi-layered research-based approach that fits families who need help preparing their children for school. BPEL is working towards creating a scalable model that can be replicated in other urban areas. 

2007 Grant: $5,000
Cumulative Grants: $10,000 over two years
Nancy Ashley – Consultant
Dawn Trudeau - SVP Lead Partner
Fraser Black - SVP Lead Partner


League of Education Voters Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that focuses on research, analysis and educating the public about education policy and funding, with a P-16 (preschool through college) scope. LEVF is dedicated to making Washington's schools the best in the nation. The non-partisan LEV Foundation educates the public about statewide education issues and engages the entire community in the continuous improvement of Washington's schools. 

2007 Grant: $25,000
Cumulative Grants: $95,000 over four years
Chris Korsmo – Executive Director
Ruth Lipscomb – SVP Lead Partner


Thrive by Five Washington promotes community-based, market-driven solutions that will expand access to early learning opportunities for all our state's children. Thrive by Five Washington will provide support and information to parents and caregivers while working to ensure that all children from birth to age five have access to excellent, affordable early learning, whether at home with a parent or caregiver, in child care, or in a preschool. 

2007 Grant: $5,000
Cumulative Grants: $5,000 over one year
Dr. Graciela Italiano-Thomas – Executive Director
Chris Rogers - SVP Lead Partner