The David and Laura Merage Foundation Supports National Impact as Presenting Sponsor of the “National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action”
The David and Laura Merage Foundation has taken the lead as Presenting Sponsor of the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action, reinforcing its 18-year commitment to expanding affordable, high-quality child care for all children. The Summit will provide the opportunity to dive deep into the processes and mechanisms involved in addressing child care challenges faced by their employees and communities. Thanks to the support of the Foundation, businesses, employers and chamber/economic development partners will learn from innovators who are solving workforce retention and recruitment challenges through child care solutions.
The Foundation’s work, though deeply rooted in Colorado, has a venture philanthropy approach rooted in the investment of innovations to address child care challenges and support impactful solutions across the nation. This approach drives key initiatives like Early Learning Ventures (ELV), which empowers child care entrepreneurs with tools and resources through a highly customized and affordable SAAS solution to enhance quality and sustainability of child care businesses.
In addition to ELV, David Merage was critical to the development and continued success of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) and has been at the forefront of advocating for the business community’s commitment to family-friendly solutions. Together, David and Laura have brought together leaders from various sectors to prioritize early care and education as a crucial investment for our nation’s future. David and Laura Merage’s leadership extends into the business community as well, with David’s role as a founding member of EPIC, which galvanizes business leaders to adopt family-friendly practices.
The David and Laura Merage Foundation is proud of EPIC’s collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation on the Employer Child Care Navigator — a groundbreaking online tool that helps employers solve child care challenges. The platform includes a vendor directory that connects employers with private and nonprofit partners across the country, turning innovative ideas into concrete child care solutions that create new openings for families. This unique resource exemplifies the Foundation’s focus on moving from concept to implementation, driving real outcomes for children and families.
A significant aspect of the Foundation’s strategy involves policy advocacy at both the state and federal levels. Their efforts have been instrumental in shaping ECE policies, increasing accessibility and quality of child care for countless families.
In January 2024, the Foundation strengthened its capacity for impact by appointing a new Executive Director, bringing additional expertise to drive innovative, high-impact solutions for early childhood education. Michael Niyompong, who oversees the Merage consortium’s initiatives, has been instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s mission. His leadership and commitment to innovation have earned him accolades such as the Aspen Institute’s Ascend Fellowship and the Denver Business Journal’s C-Suites Award, highlighting his role in driving transformative change in early childhood education.
With David, Laura, and Michael at the helm, the David and Laura Merage Foundation continues to forge a path toward a brighter future for families and children through innovative, sustainable solutions.
