EFSHAR PROJECT

Programs

1. Workforce development & professional learning: the Efshar Project (efshar) strengthens the early childhood workforce, with a specific mission to focus on the unique needs of educators working in jewish programs, through high-quality professional learning, coaching, leadership development, and ongoing collaboration. Efshar is a hebrew word that means possible. Activities include individualized and group coaching, professional development, communities of practice, an annual conference, the teacher leader fellowship, reflective consultation, and specialized training such as state level credentialed programs like eqit and pyramid plus. Efshar currently supports approximately 260 educators and leaders and invests in workforce recruitment, retention, career pathways, educator leadership and workplace quality. In 2025-26, average educator turnover across participating programs was approximately 5%, reflecting strong workforce stability across the network.

   $127,873 spentof which $27,500 as grants
   52% of program spending

2. Quality research & systems change: efshar strengthens the quality of early childhood education in jewish settings at both the program and systems levels through research, evaluation, data-informed improvement and public-sector partnerships. This includes collaboration with the colorado department of early childhood on colorado shines, colorados early childhood quality rating and improvement system, universal preschool quality initiatives, and other statewide development efforts; development and testing of quality frameworks and improvement strategies; and collection and analysis of data to inform organizational learning, public policy, and systems change. Efshar brings the experiences of community-based jewish early childhood programs into broader efforts to strengthen colorados early childhood mixed delivery system, and ensure that their needs are represented in statewide quality, access and policy conversations.

   $53,006 spentof which $2,340 as grants
   22% of program spending

3. Network engagement & jewish learning: efshar builds a connected network of early childhood programs, educators, and leaders and strengthens their capacity to provide meaningful, high-quality jewish early childhood experiences. Activities include jewish learning initiatives and resources, an online resource hub, director networks, educator affinity groups, professional and community convenings and other opportunities for peer learning and collaboration. Since launching with eight participating programs in 2018, efshar has grown to 18 active jewish early childhood programs. The network now reaches approximately 1,200 children and 900 families across colorado, creating stronger relationships, shared learning and collaboration among programs that previously operated more independently.

   $42,774 spent
   18% of program spending

4. See Schedule O 19985. 0. 540.

   $19,985 spent$540 earned by the program
   8% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2026 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $243,638.