Who We Are
Our Story
The foundation’s story began in 1968 with entrepreneur Stewart Bainum Sr. and his wife, Jane Bainum. They sought to create opportunities for children living in poverty by providing access to high-quality educational opportunities and services. Learn how our work has evolved over the years.

We Envision a Society Where All Children Thrive
We work alongside communities experiencing racial and economic disparities to create lasting systems change for the well-being of children and families.
Our Focus Areas
We focus primarily on Early Childhood and what children need for a strong start in life. Our Legacy Programs support other issues important to the Bainum family.
Our Commitment to Equity
We center equity in every facet of our work and in how we operate as an organization.

Bainum Foundation Farm: Staff Field Trip
May 31, 2023News and Updates
Marica Cox Mitchell: Four Mindset Shifts That Are Needed To Make Meaningful Change in Early Childhood
In NAEYC’s summer 2023 issue of Young Children, our VP of Early Childhood, Marica Cox Mitchell, offers four mindset shifts along with additional recommendations to consider as we in the Early Childhood field work together to make transformative change. Read it here. Used with permission of National Association for the Education of Young Children Vol. … Continued
Bainum Family Foundation Applauds White House Care Executive Order but Cautions, More Work Needs to be Done to Support Early Childhood Education
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, April 18 President Biden signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies to find ways to make child care less expensive and more accessible. Bainum Family Foundation Vice President of Early Childhood Marica Cox Mitchell issued the following statement: “We are pleased that the White House is taking steps to improve child care … Continued
Foundation’s Interactive 2021/2022 ‘Year in Review’ Now Available
Our 2021/2022 Year in Review “Making Change Happen Together” captures our strategic shift and how we are showing up differently to make change happen with our partners and community. Explore our interactive report.
We focus primarily on Early Childhood and what children need for a strong start in life. Our Legacy Programs support other issues important to the Bainum family.
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