Sam Beard
"The first three years of a child's life are the most critical for brain development. Every interaction, every moment of love and care shapes who they will become. Through GIFT Connect, we're empowering parents and caregivers with the tools they need to give every child the best possible start in life."
America's Economy & Workforce
Need Our Help
The science of early brain development illustrates that child development — particularly for birth to five years — is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
Not Workforce Ready
One-third of America's high school graduates are not workforce-ready to compete for meaningful 21st-century jobs.
Source: StriveTogether.org; OECD
OECD Ranking
Among 36 leading countries, the United States ranks 34th on public spending on early childhood education and care as a percent of GDP.
Source: OECD
Lost GDP Potential
The United States would generate an additional $2.2 trillion or 10% of total U.S. GDP in annual income if all adults reached a sixth-grade reading level.
Source: Barbara Bush Foundation / Gallup Study
Return on Investment
High-quality birth-to-five programs for disadvantaged children can deliver a 13% return on investment per year.
Source: James J. Heckman, Nobel Laureate, University of Chicago
Annual Dropouts
1.2 million students a year drop out of America's high schools. 80% end up interfacing with the prison system. They commit up to 75% of crimes in the United States.
Source: Do Something; U.S. Census Bureau
Pre-Primary Budgets
In low-income communities, less than 2% of their education budgets are allocated to pre-primary education. Without meaningful Birth to 5 programming, the education gap and poverty will remain.
Source: UNICEF
Critical Foundation
The science of early brain development illustrates that child development - particularly for birth to five years - is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
Source: Jack P. Shonkoff, The Council for Early Child Development, Harvard
Brain Plasticity
Extensive research shows that the brain's growth and capacity to change (plasticity) are greatest in the first 0-5 years of life. Interventions and programs focused on early childhood are not only more likely to be impactful but have potential to provide tremendous return on investment compared to those attempting to "rewire the brain" by addressing academic, vocational and other problems later in life.
Source: Dr. John Hutton, MD, MS, Pediatrician and Clinical Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Global Education Gap
Understanding Birth to 5 is essential to meet the UN SDG's in low-income countries. Without meaningful Birth to 5 programming, the education gap, poverty, and the inability to compete for higher-paying 21st century jobs will remain. In low-income communities, less than 2% of their education budgets are allocated to pre-primary education.
Source: UNICEF
GIFT CONNECT dramatizes the importance of Birth to Age 3 through the Power of Music, the Power of Technology, the Power of Collaboration, and the Power of Opinion Makers. On a nonpartisan basis, GIFT CONNECT plays a lead role in creating public-private partnerships to make Birth to Age 3 a policy imperative.
Founded by Sam Beard, creator and implementer of programs for 8 U.S. presidents — Nixon through Obama. Includes 6 initiatives, each of which impacted more than 50 million lives.
Co-founded the Jefferson Awards with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr.
The strength of GIFT CONNECT is a passionate and result-oriented team of top professionals.
Leadership
Judith Otter
Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer
After a successful Julliard ballet career, Judy was also successful in business — including real estate and Wall Street. In 2009 Judy met Gary Sinise, the film star. Together they created the Gary Sinise Foundation for defenders and veterans.
Judy served as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer building the single-employee organization to over 50 employees. In ten years with Gary, they raised $155 million from 84,000 donors, and helped thousands and thousands of veterans. In 2019, Judy created her consulting company and joined GIFT.
The Team
Team meeting - April 2023
President Bush with Sam - 2002
Lesley Stahl, Ethel Kennedy, Sam, Eunice Shriver and Michael Keaton - 2012
"Sam is one of the ripples of hope that Bobby believed were the power of people to advance justice and peace."
— Ethel Kennedy
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