For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Siobhan Mueller | (202) 857 2609 | smueller@zerotothree.org
Washington, D.C., June 5, 2023 –ZERO TO THREE, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, today announced it has been awarded a $10 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This unrestricted contribution will have a profound impact on the organization, enabling it to extend its reach and enhance its support for families with young children.
“We are immensely grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her extraordinary generosity and honored to count her among our community of Baby Champions.” said Matthew Melmed, executive director of ZERO TO THREE. “This gift is a testament to the importance of our work and comes at a time when families across the country need our support more than ever. We’re focused on making lasting, transformative change for young children now and in the future. Through collective action, we are working towards creating a more just and equitable society where every baby has the care, connections, and essential resources they need to grow and thrive.”
For over four decades, ZERO TO THREE has led the way in translating the science of early development into groundbreaking programs that benefit communities nationwide, practical resources for parents and professionals, and responsive policy solutions to strengthen families. Recognizing that emotionally nurturing relationships in the first three years of life lay the groundwork for lifelong well-being, the organization’s evidence-based programs focus on critical areas of early childhood development, including mental and physical health, early learning and literacy, and comprehensive family supports. In addition, ZERO TO THREE has cultivated a growing network of 60,000 advocates who are passionately driving change at federal, state and local levels. As a membership-based organization, ZERO TO THREE fosters a vibrant network of professionals committed to advancing their knowledge and skills.
“In our relentless advocacy efforts, we urge supporters to Think Babies,” said Brenda Jones Harden, president of the ZERO TO THREE board of directors. “That’s exactly what MacKenzie Scott has done with this gift. We are further inspired to continue taking bold strides in innovating for the well-being of babies. We will leave no stone unturned. On behalf of the entire board of directors, staff, and members of ZERO TO THREE, we extend our deepest gratitude for your partnership and confidence in our continued pursuit of creating a society that has the knowledge and will to support all babies in reaching their full potential.”
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