April Newsletter

Microphone and voting station at desk in a state legislature.

Multiple State Legislatures Introduce Bills to Provide Sustained Funding for Kids

In a new blog, we track the states considering bills in their 2025 legislative sessions that would dedicate portions of public revenue to programs that support infants, toddlers, children, and youth. The bills still have legislative hurdles and details being debated by child and youth advocates. But these initial proposals are encouraging, since they mirror the public’s desire to see increased government funding for child and youth services.

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What's New

Public Financing in Uncertain Times

Join us on April 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time to explore how strategic public financing can help community leaders and advocates sustain public resources for children and youth in today’s troubling funding climate.

Adult holding child holding an egg from a nest.

Greater Austin’s Fiscal Map

In a new blog, United Way for Greater Austin explains the crucial role fiscal mapping plays in sustaining funding for early childhood programs and services in Travis County, TX.

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Pairs of kids at picnic tables outdoors.

Notably Appointed

Our very own Alicia Wilson-Ahlstrom, vice president of learning and innovation, has been appointed to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee “Education for Thriving in a Changing Climate,” to add an out-of-school-time perspective to the committee’s focus.

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In Case You Missed It

Some youth working together on a project.

Supporting Funding for Youth Programs

Wallace Foundation interviewed our founder and CEO Elizabeth Gaines to learn more about our expertise in public funding for out-of-school time programs.

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Have You Seen the Numbers?

Our 2024 annual snapshot summarizes key accomplishments toward our mission last year. We couldn’t have done it without our partners and community allies.

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Spotlight on Young Children

Diverse group of kids playing on the floor

Addressing the needs of kids from ages 0 to 8 lays a foundation for success in ways that can impact communities for decades. This month from April 5-11, early childhood advocates across the country will recognize Week of the Young Child®. We worked with multiple campaigns across the country last year to help pass voter-approved children's funds to help source and sustain public funding for programs and services for young children. One example is Travis County, TX, where a new dedicated fund for early childhood is being implemented along with the new fiscal map referenced above. States wanting to understand the true cost of meeting the needs of their youngest residents can learn more in our cost model cohort. Meanwhile, they can better understand what they currently spend on young children by creating a fiscal map. Pulling all these tools together can often be most effective with support from a children's funding coordinator to ensure communities maximize resources for children of all ages.