September Newsletter

Figurines coins and a wooden key on a chess board

Funders Can Lean into New Roles to Unlock Public Money for Kids

On their own, philanthropic dollars are insufficient to meet the growing demands for underresourced programs for children and youth in a community. Consequently, some of the most powerful investments foundations can make are those that help community-based organizations advocate for, access, and use public dollars. In a new interview, Nicole Eovino Diebold, senior program officer with C.E. and S. Foundation, explains how the foundation organized leaders in Louisville, KY, to coordinate local efforts to create sustained public funding for kids—and offers advice for how other foundations can do the same in their communities.

Watch the Interview

What's New

Coming Up! State Dedicated Funding Webinar

Join us on September 18 for a deep dive into how states can create dedicated funds to sustain and expand programs for children and youth. We’ll share key insights from our forthcoming report State Strategies for Sustained Investment in Kids and hear from advocates who made these wins possible.

Tracking Social Media Lawsuits

More than 40 states have filed lawsuits against leading social media companies for allegedly harming youth mental health. Our new guide offers tips and resources that advocates for after-school and summer programs can use to track the status and progress of lawsuits in their states.

Explore the Guide

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Travis County Children's Fund in the News

Children in the greater Austin area will have expanded access to after-school programs this school year thanks to $75 million in annual dedicated funding that voters in Travis County, TX, approved last November. Read more about how these funds are rolling out in a recent article from Austin's NPR affiliate.

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Photo: United Way for Greater Austin

In Case You Missed It

Real-Time Lessons on Funding Early Childhood

In a recent interview, Jason Callegari shares how the Buell Foundation helped advocates build and sustain a strong early childhood system across Colorado.

Watch the Interview

Phil and friends holding up protest signs

Planning for Sustainable Funding in Dayton, OH

Children’s Funding Coordinator Phil Ferrari explains how building a comprehensive cost model can ensure sustainability of programs for kids in Dayton.

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Cost Modeling and Back-to-School

It is once again time for our youngest learners to return to early learning preschool programs, while older children and youth resume the after-school activities that nourish their well-being, foster connections, and even fuel career aspirations. As kids head back to school across the country, the parts of their lives taking place outside of the schoolhouse remain vulnerable, particularly as the effects of recent federal budget cuts reach families. Consequently, the need for a strategic approach to funding programs for children and youth across the cradle-to-career spectrum continues to grow.

One way local leaders can better understand the cost of supporting children and youth—both inside and outside of school—is by creating a cost model. Cost modeling helps local leaders and advocates put a price tag on the cost of their goals for kids, update those costs over time as programs change, and explore cost scenarios based on new and emerging needs. To learn more about how cost models work, join us on September 9 for a free workshop offered in collaboration with our partner StriveTogether. Also be sure to check out our online courses focused on cost models for child care and infant and toddler care to learn the skills you need to understand the true cost of care.