The Each Child Foundation (ECF) believes childhood should be defined by possibility, encouragement, and support. Guided by the principle that every child deserves a future of hope and opportunity, ECF works to expand what's attainable during their formative years. Its mission is to help remove barriers to growth and foster environments where learning, health, stability, and belonging can thrive.
Philanthropist Stanley Fulton founded ECF with a focus on children ages one through 5, paying particular attention to their formative years. The organization provides funding and strategic backing for initiatives that address education, food access, housing stability, healthcare, safety, and family-centered services.
"We don't look at a child's needs in isolation because we recognize that education, nutrition, health, and housing are all connected, and when one is missing, the others suffer," Fulton says. "That's why our approach is holistic. We believe a child's well-being depends on the strength of the whole picture, not just one piece of it."
This integrated approach is reinforced by the current landscape. In 2023, over 47 million people lived in food-insecure households, of which 7.2 million were children. By late 2025, data from Purdue University's Center for Food Demand Analysis showed food insecurity rising again to approximately 14% of households. Housing instability compounds these challenges, with millions of families facing unaffordable rent. "Without stable housing and reliable nutrition, along with the other needs children depend on, they risk losing the foundation needed to thrive," Fulton states.
He adds that the importance of early investment is not only humanitarian but also economic. "After hearing from a rotary meeting that for every dollar invested early in a child's life there could be a return up to $16, it fundamentally reframed how I thought about giving," he shares. These returns, he notes, may come in the form of higher worker productivity, lower education costs, or less reliance on public assistance.
That realization led him to concentrate resources where they might have the greatest long-term influence, while remaining attentive to the evolving needs of children beyond early childhood. For Fulton, the mission is deeply personal. "I started The Each Child Foundation to help ensure that children's earliest years are shaped by opportunities, not by barriers," he shares.
Emphasizing thoughtful stewardship and governance, ECF's board provides strategic oversight, monitors performance, and promotes transparency and accountability, aiming to see that resources are used responsibly and in alignment with mission and values. This governance structure reflects ECF's commitment to integrity, equity, and community trust, principles that shape both funding decisions and partnerships.
ECF supports initiatives across several key areas. Housing-related grants help families maintain stable living arrangements or avoid displacement. Food access funding supports programs that provide nutritious meals and snacks, contributing to children's physical growth and capacity to learn. Meanwhile, investments in early education supply classrooms and caregivers with tools, materials, and training that foster curiosity and readiness for school.
Health and wellness initiatives focus on preventive care, mental health resources, and support for chronic conditions, recognizing that physical and emotional well-being are integral to learning and development. Each of these investments reflects the foundation's belief that children's needs are interconnected and must be addressed holistically.
Collaboration is a defining feature of ECF's approach. It works alongside families, educators, healthcare providers, and local leaders who understand their communities' specific contexts. By supporting locally rooted organizations, ECF aims to strengthen systems rather than apply short-term fixes. Fulton says, "Meaningful change can happen if we listen to communities and invest in solutions that can grow with them."
The vision of The Each Child Foundation extends beyond individual programs toward resilient communities where children feel supported and included. Its values emphasize belonging, whole-child empowerment, and continuous learning, principles reflected in its grantmaking and organizational culture. By encouraging partnerships that span sectors and disciplines, ECF intends to contribute to a broader ecosystem focused on children's well-being.
