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The Build Initiative is a multi-state partnership that helps states construct a coordinated system of programs, policies and services that responds to the needs of young children and their families. It does this by supporting those who set policies, provide services, and advocate for children from birth through age five so that our youngest children are safe, healthy, eager to learn, and ready to succeed in school. Build serves as a catalyst for change and a national resource on early learning.

The Build Initiative was created by the Early Childhood Funders' Collaborative (ECFC), a consortium of national and local foundations that have substantial grantmaking programs in early childhood care and education. The ECFC provides networking, information sharing and strategic grantmaking opportunities to its members. Through its work, the ECFC has recognized that current programs, policies and services for young children and their families often operate in isolation, at cross purposes, or without enough resources to meet critical needs. In response, the ECFC created Build to invest private funds to stimulate public investments in early learning. The Build Funders, made up of members of the Early Childhood Funders' Collaborative, work closely with Build staff and provide broad strategic oversight to the initiative.

Evaluation of the Build Initiative is being coordinated by Charles Bruner of the Child and Family Policy Center. Each of the five grantee states has chosen an evaluator to provide technical assistance in evaluation and to chronicle progress through case studies. The state evaluation partners completed case studies after one year and 2-1/2 years of participation in the initiative. The case studies were compiled and an overview written by the Child and Family Policy Center.

Build Initiative Fact Sheet
This one-page fact sheet provides a concise overview of the Build Initiative.
Build Fact Sheet - download PDF

Build Initiative Theory of Change
This paper organizes the conceptual work undergirding the Build Initiative into an explicit theory of change framework.
Build Initiative Theory of Change - download Word document

The executive summary of Build's Theory of Change provides an overview and graphic depictions of the three interlocking theories.
Executive Summary of Build's Theory of Change - download PDF