Connie and Steve Ballmer’s philanthropy is helping Washington expand its state-funded preschool program, ECEAP. The state’s November 2025 announcement said the grant would likely provide more than $1 billion; Ballmer Group later described a commitment of up to $1.7 billion. The money supports preschool capacity—not direct payments to families—and the expansion is being phased in through providers.
How much is Ballmer Group giving, and what does the money fund?
The figures reflect two announcements at different times, not two separate grants. On November 12, 2025, the Washington Governor’s Office said the grant would likely provide more than $1 billion to add up to 10,000 ECEAP seats over ten years. On October 5, 2026, Ballmer Group described its commitment as up to $1.7 billion to fund up to 10,000 preschool slots annually over ten years. The first is the state’s earlier estimate; the second is the funder’s later ceiling and specifies annual slots. Neither should be read as a count of children already enrolled. Washington Governor’s Office, November 2025; Ballmer Group, October 2026.
Washington’s March 2026 law created the PreK Promise Account to receive and deploy philanthropic contributions for ECEAP expansion. This is a public-private funding arrangement for a state program, not a grant paid directly to families. Washington legislation.
What has been added so far?
For the 2026–27 school year, the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) reported approximately 2,400 additional ECEAP slots at 42 new sites, alongside expansion at 105 existing sites. The state said state and Ballmer Group grant funding would provide more than $251 million in awards to early-learning providers for that school year. The new-slot figure exceeded the state’s initial goal of 2,000 new students for year one, but it remains a first-year implementation figure—not the ten-year capacity target. Washington DCYF, September 21, 2026.
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DCYF said some funds were returned because of workforce shortages and unanticipated challenges opening classrooms. That points to provider capacity as a constraint on how quickly funded expansion can become available preschool places; it does not mean the full long-term target has been reached.
What is ECEAP?
ECEAP (pronounced “E-cap”) is Washington’s state-funded preschool program for eligible children ages 3 and 4. It provides free, high-quality early education and related support. The Ballmer funding expands this existing public program rather than creating a separate preschool benefit. Washington DCYF.
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- Interactive book helps preschoolers prepare for school and build confidence with replayable learning activities
- Explore counting, colors, shapes, the alphabet and words with six touch-sensitive pages
- Practice letter writing, number matching, shape tracing and line drawing with six marker pages and an erasable pen; Dress for the Weather page encourages kids to choose clothes and draw them on the figure
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Who may qualify for free ECEAP preschool?
DCYF’s September 2026 update said families may qualify at or below 36% of state median income; it gave $50,152 a year for a family of four under that update’s eligibility information. The department also lists circumstances that may support eligibility, including homelessness, family violence, chemical dependency, foster care, or an incarcerated parent; a developmental delay or other special needs; and certain disability or prior Birth to 3 circumstances. These are state-administered rules, so families should check DCYF for current criteria and whether a local provider has availability. Washington DCYF eligibility and program update.
How to find an ECEAP provider
- Check Washington DCYF’s current ECEAP eligibility guidance and provider locations: DCYF’s program update.
- Contact a listed local provider to ask about eligibility documentation, enrollment timing, and available slots. A statewide expansion total does not establish that a place is open at every site.
Why the announcement describes a longer-term expansion
Ballmer Group said in October 2026 that it is concentrating on fewer, larger initiatives and using established systems—including government programs and provider networks—to deploy resources at scale, citing ECEAP as an example. In July 2026, Connie and Steve Ballmer announced MoveUp Washington as one of three independent, locally led regional philanthropies they would fund. Ballmer Group said regional team members would transition over the following year and the new organization would continue regional work independently. That broader organizational change does not establish that administration of the ECEAP grant has transferred to MoveUp Washington. Ballmer Group, October 2026; Ballmer Group, July 2026.
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