What Drives Us

What drives us?

Connection — between babies and the people who love them.

Because the benefits of strong early relationships last a lifetime.

“There is no such thing as a baby, there is a baby and someone… A baby alone cannot exist, but is essentially part of a relationship.”

– Dr. Donald Winnicott (1896–1971), British pediatrician

The Burke Foundation focuses on the first 1,000 days — from pregnancy to age 2 —
the most crucial time to build a foundation for lifelong health and well-being.

Advances in brain science reveal a powerful opportunity: The first five years are the most significant stage for human brain development, when pathways are formed for cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral functions.

A baby’s brain contains over 100 billion neurons — more than there are stars in the sky — and during this time it begins wiring itself through consistent, responsive relationships well before a child passes through the schoolroom door. Every moment of connection shapes brain development and promotes long-term health.

That’s why we focus on relationship-centered care, where the well-being of young children is nurtured through strong, responsive interactions with parents, caregivers and their communities.

Healthy babies grow into healthy adults, which improves lives and reduces future societal costs. When babies are nurtured, parents face less stress, miss less work, and can contribute to a stronger community.

But in New Jersey—one of the wealthiest states in the nation— families face deep racial, geographic, and economic disparities.

Many parents and caregivers struggle to make ends meet, obtain healthcare, afford high-quality child care, and find time to nurture their children.

The Early Years in New Jersey:
By the Numbers

101,357

There were 102,893 children born in New Jersey in 2024

24.1 maternal deaths per 100,000

At 24.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, New Jersey’s maternal mortality rate is higher than national average (22.4), and has been increasing in recent years.

8%

Around 8% of babies in New Jersey are born with low birthweight – one of the highest rates in the U.S.

19%

Child care in New Jersey can cost as much as 19% of a family’s income

11.4%

The share of New Jersey’s children living below the federal poverty level in 2024.

69%

The share of New Jersey children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force is rising, up to 69% in 2020, increasing the need for child care.

But placing two kids at a child care center costs at least 25% more than the typical rent, on average, in every state.

2.4x

The infant mortality rate among babies born to Black people is more than double the overall state rate.

With the aim of making our state a healthier, more equitable place to live, the Burke Foundation set out to learn from partners across the state and the nation about where we could make the greatest impact.

That work led to the publication of
Investing Early: Recommendations for Funding in Early Childhood

Access Report

Guided by these insights, the Burke Foundation awarded over $15 million in grants to organizations focused on the First 1,000 Days, including support for:

Healthy Pregnancies and Strong Beginnings

Finding and supporting innovative, effective, and equitable healthcare solutions that improve maternal and infant health and well-being.

Transforming Pediatric Care

Advancing groundbreaking models of relationship-based pediatric care that bring families, clinicians, and communities together to improve health outcomes for families in the early years.

Child Care for New Jersey Families

Making high-quality child care available to all New Jersey families through common sense solutions and deep partnerships — giving children a strong start, helping parents stay at work, and growing New Jersey’s economy.

The measures of our success include a decrease in preterm births, maternal morbidity, and mortality; improved infant health; and an increase in joyful, respectful birth experiences.