February Newsletter

Staff members on the campaign trail posing with a lawn sign.

Learn from Campaign Leaders Who Passed Funding for Kids at the Ballot

During our recent webinar with Funding the Next Generation, advocates from Travis County, TX, Platte County, MO, Sonoma County, CA, and Pomona, CA, shared the stories of their successful campaigns to establish voter-approved children's funds via the November 2024 ballot. Watch the webinar recording to learn more about these successful efforts, which secured $133 million in annual public funding for children and youth. If you want to know more about creating a voter-approved children's fund in your community, please fill out the interest form below to let us know!

Watch the Webinar

Complete the Interest Form

What's New

2025 Legislative Preview

Our latest blog examines potential state funding challenges facing advocates for children and youth—and offers a possible pathway to funding success.

Read the Blog

Steps leading to a state capitol building.

2024 in Review

Our founder and CEO Elizabeth Gaines reflects on accomplishments from 2024 and shares her perspective about what 2025 holds for advocates.

Read the Blog

Playful children looking through magnifying glasses at the camera.

In Case You Missed It

Kid on phone isolated from their friends.

Kids and Big Tech

Programs that support youth well-being, and offer an alternative to social media, should receive funding from potential settlements from lawsuits against Big Tech companies.

Read the Blog

Preschool teacher working with diverse group of kids

Last Vote to First Dollar

Our robust toolkit can help communities plan and implement a new voter-approved children’s fund after it passes at the ballot—and set their fund up for long-term success.

View the Toolkit

New Year, New Team Members!

A graphic containing the headshots of all the new staff listed below

Our team expanded by leaps and bounds in 2024! We are proud to highlight the amazing individuals who joined us in our mission. From expanding our research, coaching, and action capacity, to deepening our work to support Native children and youth, our newest team members are helping communities create more equitable and sustainable funding for children and youth. Learn more about our full staff on our team page.

(Clockwise from top left)

Kevin Chen, data governance manager

Eleanor Ferguson, associate, Native children and youth funding

Joshua Franks, director, Native children and youth funding

Lisa Christensen Gee, director of tax policy

Christina Gilbert, director, Funding the Next Generation

Hannah Groetsch, policy associate, voter-approved children’s funds

Brett McPherson, communications manager

Danyelle Norment, fiscal mapping coach

Ashley Richardson, senior manager, emerging funding strategies