The Ballmer Group Philanthropy has pledged up to $170 million per year over the next decade — likely more than $1 billion in total — to significantly increase preschool access for low-income families in Washington.

The state’s 40-year-old Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) currently serves more than 14,000 students. With the new funding, it will add about 10,000 additional seats, starting with 2,000 new spots next year.

Representatives with the Ballmer Group, created by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie Ballmer, announced the gift today alongside Gov. Bob Ferguson, lawmakers and educators.

In order to use the funding, the state cannot reduce the number of state-funded ECEAP seats.

The support comes as Washington is facing budget shortfalls and the Trump administration has previously withheld funding for Head Start and could spike the preschool program.

“The Ballmer Group’s investment sets up an innovative public-private partnership, and will transform the lives of thousands of little Washingtonians and their families,” Ferguson said.

The philanthropy previously gave $43 million in 2023 to support early childhood education in Washington.

Ballmer, who led Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, has a net worth of $154.2 billion, according to Forbes. He remains the tech giant’s largest shareholder.