ECFC’s Spring 2024 member meeting took us to Santa Fe, NM where we learned about the history and context of early childhood in New Mexico, milestones in the NM early childhood landscape, key early childhood strategies unique to New Mexico, and lessons for other places and communities.
New Mexico is also a learning lab for policy, advocacy and programs in the context of a diverse, multi-generational, multi-lingual and relationship-based culture, with substantial geographic diversity including remote, rural areas, as well as Albuquerque, an urban center. It ranks fourth among states with the largest Native American populations, and is home to 23 sovereign nations including 19 Pueblos, three Apache tribes, and a significant portion of the Navajo Nation. There is a large immigrant population, as well, with almost one in ten residents born in another country, and one in nine residents with at least one immigrant parent. Our spring meeting continued our exploration of the role of culture and language in serving kids and families, and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Hosted in partnership with the New Mexico Early Childhood Funders Group, our meeting included inspiring discussions with advocacy organizations, legislators and other early childhood champions in the state, including: Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department; Speaker Javier Martinez, 31st Speaker of the NM House; New Mexico House of Representatives, District 11; and Representative Gail Armstrong, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 49.
Advocates and organizers joined us from Growing Up New Mexico, OLÉ, Somos Un Pueblo Unido, and New Mexico Voices for Children joined us as we explored the need for champions at all levels, the ebb and flow of momentum, and other lessons learned about engaging and lifting up community voices and building community power.
“There was a common theme of unity at this meeting. It was more than obvious that the work we do as philanthropic organizations in the space of early childhood cannot be done by one single person or organization. We need each other’s support, the support of our legislators, the support of our respective communities. We are better together!!!! The state of New Mexico has demonstrated that in all of its policy WINS in the early childhood space. I know we have a long way to go, but I’m grateful we have gotten started. The work we all do is what our communities need to feel whole. So often rural communities are looked at through a deficit lens rather than an opportunity lens. Yes, we do have issues, but our issues are not failures, they are opportunities to make those we serve smile.” ~Kawin Nunnery, Program Officer, JD Maddox Foundation, Hobbs NM
The Spring 2024 member meeting also continued to build on the work of our Indigenous Early Childhood Workgroup, with Native Americans in Philanthropy, exploring themes of culture and language, diversity of Tribal nations and indigenous communities, and the importance of general investments that will ensure healthy and well futures for kids and families seven generations into the future.
“Taking place less than two months after I began working in philanthropy, the ECFC Spring 2024 meeting in New Mexico presented an unparalleled opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues from around the country and create relationships that will support and enhance my work. I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in the nonprofit sector and I’ve never attended a conference with a more welcoming, caring, intelligent, and dedicated group of people. I particularly appreciated the thoughtfulness and respect with which ECFC lifted up leaders, voices, needs, and traditions from New Mexico’s Indigenous community throughout the event. I left New Mexico with pages of notes, an abundance of ideas, and a great network to collaborate with.” ~Caroline Bersak, Program Officer, The Burke Foundation, New Jersey
The Spring meeting concluded with an Open Space format that surfaced key challenges and opportunities ECFC members wanted to tackle together including:
How to keep partners and engaged for the long-term;
The impact of colonialism on philanthropy;
Federal policy System Levers that enable states to do early childhood work;
Transforming state agency leadership/governance and insulating and de-siloing child/family work from politics;
Thinking about incremental change in our work;
Funder/grantee power dynamics;
Systems of “evidence” based on practices and assets vs. tools of colonialism.
“The ECFC Spring 2024 member meeting was transformative for me. I gained valuable insights into the importance of learning from even the smallest groups of people — debunking the notion of “statistically insignificant.” The sessions emphasized that every group matters. Regardless of size, their contributions are crucial to sustainable development. Another important lesson was that generational investment and sustainability is of paramount importance because it promotes the well-being of future generations through practices that protect and preserve our natural, social, and economic resources. It’s about making decisions today that don’t compromise future generations’ ability to meet their own needs. It also reminds me we’re committed to this field for the long term.” ~ Jessica Nugent, Senior Program Officer, The Burke Foundation, New Jersey
Photo credit: ECFC 2024 Spring Member Meeting: Panel of advocates and organizers from Growing Up New Mexico, OLÉ, and Somos Un Pueblo Unido. Photo Credit: W.K. Kellogg Foundation
