Bainum Family Foundation

We’re excited to announce the appointment of Scott Renschler, Psy.D. as our Chair of the Board! A friendly and familiar face around our organization, Scott has been a member of our Board for 30 years. With his background as a licensed clinical psychologist, coupled with extensive experience both serving and leading on boards for social welfare organizations and for-profit companies, Scott brings a wealth of expertise to the foundation. Scott shared, “In my clinical work, I’ve witnessed firsthand the myriad systemic issues that contribute to trauma and compromise human development and thriving. I’m excited to support the foundation’s focus on systems change as we work to empower communities and eliminate the economic and racial disparities that undermine the ability of children to achieve well-being and realize their full potential.” We’re looking forward to having Scott in this new leadership role, carrying on his family’s legacy as we work toward a society where all children and families thrive. 

“Our financial commitment reflects our belief in this approach and is fueled directly by the guidance of our partners. We aim to show up in the way that is most meaningful to them. As we continue our journey as an organization, I encourage other philanthropies to explore partner-centric approaches anchored on community feedback and directed by those closest to the work.” CEO and President, David Daniels, shares in regard to our recent funding announcement: https://lnkd.in/eJWw4Bw7

We are excited to announce that Kathleen Simpson, CPA will be joining our Board of Directors! With a combined 10 years in the philanthropic sector at The Russell Family Foundation, where she now serves as CEO, in addition to 3 years as a member of our Investment Advisory Committee, Kathleen brings both financial and environmentally-focused expertise to the board.

“As I step down from my role as Board Chair, I am filled with a profound sense of optimism for the future. It is my hope that this funding commitment will help pave the way for enduring change in the Early Childhood sector. I look forward to seeing the transformative impact of this investment on the lives of children and families for years to come.” As a parting gift from our retiring Board Chair, Barbara Bainum, we’re thrilled to announce our $100 million commitment to funding early childhood education over the next five years. Learn more about why we’re taking this new approach: https://lnkd.in/ergtJJ3n

"We already have the tools we need to spur positive change but it will take both mental and behavioral shifts. It will take tough individual conversations. It will take communal un-learning and re-imagining. It will take major structural, policy, and systems change." We can create a lasting, positive impact by pairing our resources with the lived experiences and expertise of our partner communities. But first, we must pause, envision our ideal future, and reflect on the outdated mindsets holding us in place. ICYMI: Check out the full reflections of our VP of Organizational Learning and Effectiveness, Rebecca Cisek, EdD!

As a funder in the philanthropic sector, we at the Bainum Family Foundation are constantly asking ourselves: How can we do philanthropy differently? This reflection started with Barbara Bainum, who led our team with a more holistic and responsive approach. She showed us that working with partners is not just a matter of showing up as a funder but requires active listening and adjusting to the changing needs of our communities. Fast forward to today: Our Early Childhood work, like WeVision EarlyEd, is grounded in the data and expertise of proximity experts — families and early childhood education professionals — who have specialized knowledge of and lived experience in the child care system.

Our Director of Strategy and Implementation, Demetria Joyce, recently engaged in a powerful dialogue with the Office of Head Start National Fellows in collaboration with our partner, Educare DC.     This conversation highlighted the critical need for ensuring that public policies and systems are designed with those who will be most impacted at decision-making tables.  As the fellows had the opportunity to tour Educare DC, they could see how federal and state policies had real implications for children, families, and practitioners. In addition to providing quality early childhood education and holistic supports, Educare DC also provides opportunities for staff and families to advocate for the resources and investments they need.     We’ve seen firsthand how this shared decision-making increases effectiveness and impact. Through our work with WeVision EarlyEd, we listen keenly to what “proximity experts” want and invest in solutions that make their ideal child care real. Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Educare DC, School Readiness Consulting, Jamal B., Dr. Deidre D. Jones, Marissa Mota, Scarlett T., Claire Webster, Althea Wilson

Curious to know when our foundation first began focusing on early learning?  In 2015, under Barbara Bainum’s strategic leadership, we shifted our efforts from focusing on students from grades K-12 to early learning (ages 0-8). At the time, she conducted a needs assessment, which emphasized the importance of early childhood (ages 0-5) interventions in making a lasting impact on children and their families. But Barbara didn’t just trust the research — she also had candid conversations with our partners to hear from them what their needs were.  Today, Early Childhood is our foundation’s primary focus. We’ve been able to dive further into the work, broaden our impact, and address — holistically — the critical early years of development.

After 16 years, we wish farewell, with appreciation and gratitude, to our Chair of the Board — Barbara Bainum. From starting the Bainum Foundation Farm to shifting our efforts to focus on Early Childhood, she has guided our organization through an era of great transformation and innovation, while always asking: What more can we do? Her unwavering commitment to ensuring children and families have the resources and supports they need to thrive will live on for generations to come. Thank you for your years of service and exemplary leadership, Barbara! 

Join us in welcoming the newest addition to the foundation's staff, Aimee Crowningshield, CPA (she/her) — we're thrilled to have you on board!