LANSING, Mich. — The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) Foundation’s inaugural First Steps, Bright Futures fundraiser raised $88,645 to advance early childhood initiatives in Michigan and honored six inaugural Early Childhood Champions from across the state.
On Wednesday, September 16, leading voices in Michigan education, business, philanthropy and government sectors gathered to celebrate ECIC’s two decades of success in leading early childhood efforts across the state. The evening outlined future early childhood needs, highlighted outstanding early childhood leaders, and raised funds in support of ECIC’s mission to strengthen early childhood investment in Michigan.
More than four in 10 Michiganders live in a child care desert. Just 1% of early childhood educators earn enough to support a family of their own. And child care challenges cost Michigan nearly $2.9 billion every year in employee turnover, missed work and lost tax revenue.
“To see so many leading voices gathered in one room, all in support of investing in the future of Michigan’s children, was a magical experience,” said Alicia Guevara, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. “The support put forth by our donors and sponsors from this evening will continue to support the initiatives we lead for our state’s early childhood needs.”
Alongside the fundraising efforts of this event, the ECIC Foundation acknowledged inaugural Early Childhood Champions across Michigan who are advancing early childhood work, including:
- Early Childhood Champion Family Leader Awards
- Anthony Queen, parent leader with Michigan Early Childhood Courts and co-founder of the Parent Leader Network
- Salina Mann, Parent Leader for ECIC; Think Babies Michigan, received the 2026 Early Childhood Family Leader Award
- Early Childhood Champion Awards
- Little Dreamers, an early learning center located in South Lansing
- PreK for All Home-based Pilot, participating Family Child Care Network members, including the Child Care Network, Southwest Child Care Resource and Referral, Networks Northwest, and 4C of the U.P.
- Early Childhood Champion Legislative Leader Awards
- State Representative Carol Glanville, serving the 84th House District
- State Senator John Damoose, serving the 37th Senate District
ECIC was created 21 years ago through an interlocal agreement between the State of Michigan and local partners to bridge government, philanthropy, communities, and families around one shared goal: giving every Michigan child the strongest possible start. Since then, ECIC has invested more than $225 million to strengthen early childhood systems across the state.
This inaugural event successfully raised awareness of ECIC’s work in the early childhood sector and highlighted the future initiatives ECIC plans to pursue to improve outcomes for young children and their families in Michigan.
To learn more about becoming a donor to the ECIC Foundation and supporting its mission to improve access to early childhood education across Michigan, visit givebutter.com/ecic-foundation.