What We're Working On
Funding Our Future: Generating State and Local Tax Revenue for Quality Early Care and Education

Federal investment in children is at its lowest level in a decade (see the 2019 Kids Share report below). It's more important now than ever for local and state leaders to institute sustainable revenue sources for their youth. Our new report, coauthored with the BUILD Initiative, Center for American Progress, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, and the University of Maryland, highlights some of the most effective methods of generating funds through tax revenue for early childhood education.

Read it here.
The Children's Funding Institute Recap

We had over two dozen communities from Juneau, Alaska to Watauga County, North Carolina join us for our inaugural Children's Funding Institute in Denver last month. Over 100 participants engaged in panels, workshops, and one-on-one time with expert faculty to learn about key elements in establishing dedicated children’s funds, such as writing a ballot measure, fundraising for a campaign, and organizing volunteers for signature collection. We’ll be monitoring the progress of these communities over the coming months, so keep reading our newsletter for updates on where these communities are in their youth funding process. 
Announcing our 2019 Children's Funding Champion

We are proud to announce that Margaret Brodkin of Funding the Next Generation, one of our partners and major life inspirations, is our first ever Children's Funding Champion! She has devoted her entire life to ensuring that children in California and beyond have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. We look forward to dedicating this annual Margaret Brodkin Children’s Funding Champion award to someone who embodies her grit and compassion for expanded opportunities for all children. (Did we mention that she has a side gig transforming juvenile incarceration in her city, and to understand what it’s like she recently stayed overnight in a cell?)
Evaluate → Activate

Since CFP's founding over a year ago, our approach to funding has focused on four "levers:" Find, Align, Generate, and Evaluate. After experimenting and testing, we have decided to transition from Evaluate to Activate. This term refers to how we help states and localities adopt measures to ensure the maximum impact of their funds. Depending on the source and type of funding, this may involve developing long-term strategic investment plans, designing an accountability infrastructure, and coordinating multiple stakeholders. 
What We're Thinking About
  • As a share of the economy, federal investments in children are at the lowest level in a decade. We know that fully funding the opportunities that all children deserve will take increased investments at all levels – federal, state, and local. More important stats in Kids’ Share 2019.

  • Data from The Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that 12% of kids nationwide are growing up in a high-poverty area. Black and Native children are seven more times likely than white kids to live in these neighborhoods. We’re thinking about how this impacts the opportunities available to kids of different races and in different neighborhoods, and how best to “activate” funding to reduce these disparities.

  • The Virginia Children's Cabinet launched a website, FeedVA, to connect partners, share resources, and accelerate efforts to help end childhood hunger in Virginia. Their interactive maps highlight all farmers markets, food pantries, food deserts, and more throughout the state.
ICYMI (In case you missed it)


  • After attending our Local Children's Cabinet Network Summit in July, the City of Poughkeepsie is launching a children's cabinet in their community.

  • Our project manager, Amelia, presented her new Kentucky fiscal map to state leaders, helping them map the most important areas for growth in funding youth and children.

  • Thank you for all the kind responses from the last newsletter! Please continue to share any thoughts or questions you may have.