Thrive by Five Washington

Thrive by Five Washington mobilizes the power of public and private partners to promote and support the development and learning of children birth to five.

Thrive by Five Washington is the state’s nonprofit public-private partnership for early learning. They mobilize the long-term statewide commitment to early learning, so that families and caregivers have the information and support they need to help their children succeed in school and thrive in life. SVP has funded Thrive by Five since 2009.

Total Giving: $140,000

Executive Director: Nina Auerbach (LinkedIn)
SVP Lead Partner: Lisa Norton (LinkedIn)

Relationship Highlight: "More funders are starting to fund capacity building efforts, but SVP pays attention to capacity building in a way that’s above and beyond many funders. Our Lead Partner, Lisa Norton really gets involved with the organization and is incredibly supportive and a calming influence." -- Nina Auerbach, President & CEO

Strengthening Thrive by Five: Sample Capacity Building Projects

In partnership with SVP volunteers and paid consultants, Thrive by Five WA tackles projects like:

Fund Development: SVP provided funds for a consultant to continue to provide guidance on developing individual donor program and work with board of directors to diversity and cultivate donors.
Program Outcomes & Evaluation: SVP covered the cost to review current programs and revise, develop and implement evaluation tools and organizational dashboard.
Human Resources: Partner Virginia Klamon and SVP provided consultants developed and implemented process for syncing professional development plans with performance reviews.
Network Strengthening: SVP covered the cost for work in partnership to develop plan for strengthening the statewide early learning coalition.

More about Thrive by Five...

Did you know this week is the Week of the Young Child?

The first years of a child’s life are incredibly important. Babies and toddlers aren’t just cute—they are growing and developing at an astonishing rate. About 85 percent of the human brain develops in the first three years of life. This week, the Week of the Young Child, is an annual celebration to focus attention on the needs of young children. But work continues year-round to support them and their families, especially the ones that are most vulnerable to poverty, abuse and neglect.

Despite Budget Crisis Early Learning Champions Find Strength Together

“Over and over I asked, do you think things are better than they were a few years ago and everyone said a resounding YES,” writes Thrive by Five Washington CEO, Nina Auerbach. Surprising sentiments for a state in the midst of budget crisis, but Washington’s early learning champions are finding strength together.

There Has to Be a Better Way to Help Kids

This thought regularly crossed my mind in the 10 years I spent as a child and adolescent therapist at New York City community mental health centers. In my sessions with children, teens, and their parents it became increasingly clear that by the time they made it to my office, we were treating, not preventing.

Nancy James on There Has to Be a Better Way to Help Kids

I found your attitude toward children so encouraging, particularly in a world where administering drugs or discipline to the innocent children of disadvantaged families, seems [...]

Cathy Maxwell on There Has to Be a Better Way to Help Kids

As an early childhood (kindergarten special ed) teacher, I can tell you that home visits before school starts are invaluable! It helps parents feel comfortable [...]