Former Microsoft CEO’s philanthropy will donate up to $170M a year for free preschool in WA

Former Microsoft CEO’s philanthropy will donate up to $170M a year for free preschool in WA

Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard

November 13, 2025 / 12:05 pm

The Ballmer Group on Wednesday committed hundreds of millions of dollars for free preschool in Washington, a massive philanthropic contribution amid state budget cuts and federal rollbacks.

The donation of up to $170 million per year for the next decade could fund 10,000 additional slots in the state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, or ECEAP, for low-income families. The program currently has just over 14,000 slots statewide at over 460 locations.

The Ballmer Group was founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie.

Gov. Bob Ferguson called the funding “truly transformative.”