More than 80,000 children are born each year in Washington state, and each child has unlimited capabilities and promise. Recent studies indicate, however, that more than half of these children will begin kindergarten lacking the basic cognitive, social, language, physical, or emotional skills needed to prepare them for success in school and life. And, sadly, many children who start behind stay behind.

Trying to catch up later is tough on kids and more expensive for schools and communities. Thrive by Five Washington is working to close this "preparation gap" so that all children in Washington get a strong start.

Thrive by Five Washington's Funding Approach
Funding partners to Thrive by Five Washington recognize that a strategically coordinated mix of public and private dollars yields the greatest impact for Washington's youngest children. Working together, funding partners will earmark dollars through pooled and aligned investments.

• Pooled funding is money that is collected by partners in order to co-invest for common outcomes and greatest impact.
• Aligned funding is money that is independently invested by partners for shared outcomes.

Please note that Thrive by Five Washington is not in a position to respond to unsolicited requests or proposals for funding at this time.

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Reading Readiness Grant Recipients Announced.
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"Funding partners to Thrive by Five Washington recognize that a strategically coordinated mix of public and private dollars will yield the greatest impact for Washington's youngest children."