Friends and Partners,
In a moment of both profound uncertainty and immense possibility, we are writing to you together to demonstrate our unity of purpose and alignment of action.
The Bainum Family Foundation’s work has always been about more than any one leader or moment. Today, we express our shared responsibility and hopes for the future, affirming that a strong, resilient partnership among the board and staff, family, and community has never been more essential.
We know this past year has been difficult. The national context continues to shift in ways that create fear and instability for many, especially those already carrying disproportionate burdens. We want to acknowledge that vulnerability — recognizing that some experience it more acutely than others. To name it openly is to affirm that we see you, we care for you, and we are committed to standing alongside you.
We are heartened by how our foundation and its partners have risen to meet this moment while also preparing for the moments ahead — those we can anticipate and those we cannot. By listening to the needs of those we serve, we have:
These measures reflect our belief that philanthropy must match words with resources and intention with action. Looking ahead, we remain committed to reimagining what is possible. Through initiatives such as WeVision EarlyEd and the forthcoming Adventist Model School System, we are working with proximity experts to demonstrate transformative solutions that can shift systems, not just remedy symptoms. We believe progress grows through openness, not exclusivity. We share what we learn so others across the sector and in communities can benefit.
This Year in Review is a balance of both the old and the new — it reflects what has been accomplished and what is still possible. In the following pages, you will see the impact of our work captured through both data and stories. No matter the moment we face, we pause to recognize and celebrate the progress being made, the commitments being honored, and the dedication of our partners and communities. Sharing these narratives of hope, resilience, and transformation is more important than ever as we navigate the current and reimagine the future together — appropriately the theme of this year’s report.
As we continue this leadership journey together, we look forward to building on the work from this past year. Whatever the coming months and years bring, our shared decision-making and actions will be guided by our foundational ideals: commitment, fairness, and integrity. These values have always, and will always, define our identity and guide our decisions. No matter how fraught the moment, we pledge to walk alongside communities, to meet the urgency of this and every moment with stability and courage, and to continue reimagining our role in a future where every child and family can thrive.
With gratitude,