• Making Change
    Happen Together
    ‘2021/2022 Year in Review’ tells the story
    of our new strategic direction
    Read the Report 

  • Stronger Start
    Foundation produces documentary series on child care with DCTV
    Learn more



  • Making the Ideal Real
    WeVision EarlyEd aims to make child care work better for everyone
    Learn more
  • Celebrating a Major
    Win for D.C.'s Early
    Childhood Educators
    Read More

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.

More About Us

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. 

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Our Commitment to Equity

We center equity in every facet of our work and in how we operate as an organization.

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By: Mika Thornton May 31, 2023 Read More

News​​ 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

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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

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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.

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