Billion family donation will help scale up preschool scholarship program

Dec. 6, 2019

It’s hard for Randell Beck to even say what a $250,000 donation from David H. and Christine Billion will allow the Hope Coalition to do.

The nonprofit, which started in 2017, helps connect 3- and 4-year-olds with funds to attend preschool at eight programs citywide.

“It’s a pretty basic model, but it’s really worked for us,” said Beck, who is serving as executive director while the organization searches for someone to fill the position.

“It’s allowed us to be nimble and move the pieces on the chessboard at a time when there’s rising interest among community leaders to collaborate rather than work as independent nonprofits.”

The Hope Coalition is not in the preschool or transportation business. Rather, it works to identify children who would not have been able to attend preschool and get them into programs where they will start kindergarten on a more even footing.

“We’re spending a fairly small amount of money for a big outcome on the other side, and we’re seeing kids’ lives change,” Beck said.

When Steve Hildebrand approached David Billion about donating to education-related causes, he included the Hope Coalition along with his own Promising Futures Fund nonprofit and a pilot program the Sioux Falls School District has used successfully to enhance reading instruction in early grade levels.

“I happened to be driving when Hildebrand called me,” Beck said. “I nearly swerved into the opposite lane because I was not ready for this. Even though Steve said he wanted to help us and maximize some relationships he had for the Hope Coalition, and he had been a champion of our mission, I didn’t really know what that meant. So I was floored.”

He kept driving but changed his route to stop at Hildebrand’s business, Josiah’s Coffeehouse, Cafe & Bakery.

“In the middle of that gathering spot, I hugged Steve so all could see. I want people to know this is a man who is deeply generous, and certainly David and Christine as well, but Steve also deserves credit for really putting this together.”

Billion said he was familiar with the Hope Coalition and happy to support it.

“All three of those entities are working toward a similar goal as far as helping children who might be economically or socially disadvantaged receive the opportunity and some hope and encouragement to discover and develop their talents,” he said.

“Being able to read is really necessary to perform at your best, and it gives you a chance to compete successfully in life.”

The Hope Coalition is supporting 155 preschool students this year. It costs about $2,500 per student per year to provide the education, transportation if needed and a daily meal.

“We want to scale up each year but not too aggressively,” Beck said. “We don’t want to lose the opportunity to think carefully and strategically about how to use the $250,000. This is still fresh for us as a board, so we’re going to have conversations about how we can leverage it and use it strategically and use it to encourage others to join the Hope Coalition.”

While it’s still early in terms of seeing results once students enter elementary school, the plan is to track the Hope Coalition participants as they leave the preschool program.

“We’re beginning to see them go equipped with the skills and socialization … to step in and do as well as other kids in the class who have been to preschools,” Beck said. “If we can invest in the child now and get them ready to learn, they will stay in school and graduate and go on to higher learning. Their lives for decades will take a completely different trajectory because of this small investment.”

Billion family gives $1 million to education-related programs

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Billion family donation will help scale up preschool scholarship program

“We’re spending a fairly small amount of money for a big outcome on the other side.” And now there’s more to support this mission connecting kids to preschool.

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