investing in the early years

Children are born learning. Numerous scientific studies and economic analyses document the value of investing in the first five years to ensure that more infants, toddlers and preschoolers in disadvantaged families grow up eager to learn and ready for school.

Established in 2005, the Buffett Early Childhood Fund is committed to establishing a more level playing field for all children as they enter kindergarten — a goal that should be a given in any society that values equal opportunity.

In partnership with other funders, we seek to redefine "education" to encompass the first five years of life and learning through an integrated strategy to invest in:

Practice, through Educare schools in the nationwide Educare Learning Network
Policy, through the Alliance for Early Success and the First Five Years Fund
Knowledge, through the Harvard Center on the Developing Child (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation) and the work of Nobel Laureate in Economics James Heckman

Our investments in Nebraska include support for: a statewide network of Educare schools (in Omaha, Lincoln and Winnebago); the new Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska; First Five Nebraska; the Nebraska Early Childhood Business Roundtable; Nebraska Children and Families Foundation; Sixpence Early Learning Fund; Early Childhood Services of the Building Bright Futures initiative; Babies from the Bench; and Save Our Children home visiting efforts.

To view a message from Susan A. Buffett: A Promise to Keep

Susan A. Buffett also supports efforts to improve child and family welfare in Omaha through The Sherwood Foundation.