ECFC Fall 2026 Member Meeting: Lessons from Three Decades of Early Childhood Systems Building
Registration Opens July 2026
ECFC’s Fall 2026 Member Meeting will take us to North Carolina to explore lessons from more than 30 years of early childhood system-building across a politically diverse Southern state. As a state marked by significant regional differences, rapid rural population growth, and longstanding disparities in child and family well-being, North Carolina offers a compelling case study in both progress and contradiction: nationally recognized for business and economic growth while continuing to face persistent challenges in education and family outcomes.
Together, we will examine what is takes to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships in a complex and evolving landscape—including the role of philanthropy, bipartisan leadership, business engagement, and aligned investments in advancing whole-family approaches from prenatal through early childhood. Through candid reflection on both successes and setbacks, participants will explore how leaders across sectors have navigated competing priorities, shifting political dynamics, and uneven systems to create momentum for children and families.
This meeting will highlight the realities of long-term systems change: the importance of transparency about what has and has not worked, the value of persistent partnership across ideological divides, and the ongoing effort required to move from fragmented strategies toward more connected and equitable approaches that support young children and their families.
Location:
Raleigh, NC, venue and hotel information will be announced in July.
Date:
Wednesday, October 28 & Thursday, October 29 | Full day of programming
Friday, October 30 | Half day/morning programming, ending by 12pm ET
Attendance Policies:
ECFC Member Meetings are open to members, invited speakers and guests, and as space allows, guest funders interested in membership to learn more about our work before committing to membership. Learn more about our attendance policies.
Registration:
Opens July 2026.