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    5. Children'S Defense Fund
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    Children'S Defense Fund

    ActiveCivil Rights & Advocacy
    WASHINGTON, DCWebsite2026623622

    About Children'S Defense Fund

    Children’s Defense Fund builds community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.

    Focus Areas

    children's healthearly learning and developmenteducation for civic life and workfamily stability and economic mobilitychild welfare and youth justiceliteracy and leadership developmentcommunity organizing and faith-based engagementresearch and public policy

    Funding Style

    program supportprogram-restricted grantsproject-level funding

    Topics

    unspecified program area

    About Children'S Defense Fund

    Children’s Defense Fund’s grantmaking is anchored in recurring support for national and local organizations that work on children’s health, early learning, education, family stability, and youth justice. The largest recent award in the data is $1,414,666 to National League of Cities Institute for program supports, alongside repeated seven-figure support to New Yorkers for Children and Save the Children Federation Inc. That pattern points to a funder that backs established intermediaries as well as issue-specific partners over multiple years. The foundation also gives at a level that often supports sustained work rather than one-off project bursts. Recent grants include repeated awards to Unidosus, The Center for the Study of Social Policy, Start Early, and The James B Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundatio across 2024 and 2025. Its active program list adds another layer: Children’s Defense Fund runs or sponsors initiatives such as CDF Freedom Schools®, the Black Student Leadership Network Fellowship and Ambassador Program, and CDF in the States state-level work in Minnesota. Together, those signals show a funder focused on children’s well-being through policy, organizing, literacy, and leadership development.

    What Children'S Defense Fund Funds

    In child health and policy work, Children’s Defense Fund gave $1,414,666 to National League of Cities Institute for program supports, and $1,020,000 to Unidosus for program supports. Those grants sit alongside state-level work through CDF in the States, including the CDF-MN Child Health initiative in Minnesota. Education and early learning also appear prominently. The foundation gave $648,000 to Start Early for program supports, and repeated support to The James B Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundatio for program supports in 2024 and 2025. Youth justice and family support show up in grants to The Anti-recidivism Coalition in Los Angeles and The Center for the Study of Social Policy in Washington, DC. The recent grant record also includes New Yorkers for Children for program supports, linking child welfare to place-based services.

    How Children'S Defense Fund Gives

    Children’s Defense Fund’s typical grant size is $17,000 at the 25th percentile, $39,000 at the median, and $129,209 at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows both mid-sized awards and repeated large program-support grants, suggesting a layered grantmaking approach. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including New Yorkers for Children, Save the Children Federation Inc, Unidosus, Start Early, The Center for the Study of Social Policy, The James B Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundatio, The Connie Rice Institute for Urban Peace, Arts for Healing and Justice, and The Anti-recidivism Coalition. The foundation is classified as a Pure DAF Provider, and the grants shown are program supports or program-restricted/project-level funding.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $13.3M

    Total Assets

    $40.1M

    Total Revenue

    $24M

    Total Expenses

    $34.9M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $17K and $129K, with a median of $39K.

    25th Percentile

    $17K

    Median

    $39K

    75th Percentile

    $129K

    Geographic Reach

    National10 states funded

    About 6% of grants go to recipients in OH.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    STARSKY WILSON

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

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    EIN: 52-0895622
    7 filings on record
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    Where Children'S Defense Fund Makes Grants

    Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based in the data, with 152 grants to U.S. organizations. Washington, DC appears frequently among recipients, including National League of Cities Institute, Unidosus, and The Center for the Study of Social Policy. Other recurring recipient hubs include New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; and Fairfield, CT. The top state by grant count is Ohio, while 6% of grants go to recipients in the District of Columbia.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Children'S Defense Fund

    What kinds of organizations does Children’s Defense Fund support?

    The grant record and active programs point to organizations working in children’s health, early learning, education, child welfare, youth justice, literacy, leadership development, community organizing, and faith-based engagement. Recent grants include program support to groups such as New Yorkers for Children, Start Early, and The Anti-recidivism Coalition.

    Does Children’s Defense Fund make repeat grants to the same organizations?

    Yes. The recent grants list includes multiple-year support for several recipients, including New Yorkers for Children in 2024 and 2025, Save the Children Federation Inc in 2024 and 2025, and Unidosus, The Center for the Study of Social Policy, Start Early, and The James B Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundatio across 2024 and 2025.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The typical grant size is $17,000 at the 25th percentile, $39,000 at the median, and $129,209 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also shows larger program-support awards in the hundreds of thousands and above, indicating that the foundation funds at multiple scales.

    Where are most grants concentrated geographically?

    Recipients are all in the United States in the data, and Washington, DC appears often among grantee locations. The top state by grant count is Ohio, and 6% of grants go to recipients in the District of Columbia.

    Can organizations apply for any of the foundation’s programs?

    Yes. The active program listings show unsolicited applications are accepted for the CDF Freedom Schools® Sponsor Program, CDF Freedom Schools® — Sponsor a Site, the Black Student Leadership Network Fellowship and Ambassador Program, and CDF in the States: CDF-MN Child Health.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Children'S Defense Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Opening soonCloses Sep 28, 2026

    CDF Freedom Schools® — Sponsor a Site

    educationyouth developmentliteracy+1 more

    Who can apply: Organizations interested in sponsoring a CDF Freedom Schools® site and able to meet application, training, fiduciary, and programmatic requirements.

    Deadline: 2026-08-27 informational session; 2026 application release on August 10, 2026; 2027 CDF Freedom Schools Sponsor Application Deadline: September 28, 2026

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTEWASHINGTON, DC$1,414,6662025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDRENNEW YORK, NY$1,320,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INCFAIRFIELD, CT$1,044,6662025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    UNIDOSUSWASHINGTON, DC$1,020,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTEWASHINGTON, DC$750,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    START EARLYCHICAGO, IL$648,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICYWASHINGTON, DC$583,3332025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICYWASHINGTON, DC$583,3332025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE JAMES B HUNT INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDATIOCARY, NC$556,6662025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    UNIDOSUSWASHINGTON, DC$300,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    START EARLYCHICAGO, IL$300,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE JAMES B HUNT INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDATIOCARY, NC$300,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INCFAIRFIELD, CT$300,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICYWASHINGTON, DC$300,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE CONNIE RICE INSTITUTE FOR URBAN PEACELOS ANGELES, CA$256,9742025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    ARTS FOR HEALING AND JUSTICELONG BEACH, CA$190,9602025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITIONLOS ANGELES, CA$181,8182025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITIONLOS ANGELES, CA$177,6632025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    ACADEMIA CESAR CHAVEZ CHARTERST PAUL, MN$155,3912025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY OF THE ARTSMINNEAPOLIS, MN$154,3332025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORKALBANY, NY$147,5002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    ACADEMIA CESAR CHAVEZ CHARTERST PAUL, MN$128,8922025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    EVERY TEXANFLINT, TX$128,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    ARTS FOR HEALING AND JUSTICELOS ANGELES, CA$125,9492025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    YOUTH JUSTICE COALITIONLOS ANGELES, CA$122,7702025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN INCAUSTIN, TX$114,5002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE CONNIE RICE INSTITUTE FOR URBAN PEACELOS ANGELES, CA$113,8072025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN INCAUSTIN, TX$108,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORKALBANY, NY$105,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY OF THE ARTSMINNEAPOLIS, MN$104,4482025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICEJACKSON, MS$100,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    EVERY TEXANAUSTIN, TX$94,5002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    YOUTH JUSTICE COALITIONLOS ANGELES, CA$94,0402025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    YOUTH JUSTICE COALITIONLOS ANGELES, CA$92,0912025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    POLICY MATTERS OHIOCLEVELAND, OH$85,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN INCAUSTIN, TX$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    EVERY TEXANFLINT, TX$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITIONLOS ANGELES, CA$70,1992025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE CONNIE RICE INSTITUTE FOR URBAN PEACELOS ANGELES, CA$69,3642025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTASAINT PAUL, MN$59,5562025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    KIDS WIN MISSOURIMERRIAM, KS$50,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORKALBANY, NY$40,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF NONPROFITSSAINT PAUL, MN$40,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    VARIOUS HATS INCAUSTIN, TX$39,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    HOLA OHIOPAINESVILLE, OH$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    CHUCKANUT HEALTH FOUNDATIONBELLINGHAM, WA$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    AVANCE-AUSTINAUSTIN, TX$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLEKNOXVILLE, TN$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSECHICAGO, IL$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS
    FAYETTE COUNTY FAMILY RESOURCE NETWORK INCOAK HILL, WV$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTE

    $1,414,666
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN

    $1,320,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC

    $1,044,666
    FAIRFIELD, CT2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    UNIDOSUS

    $1,020,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES INSTITUTE

    $750,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    START EARLY

    $648,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY

    $583,333
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY

    $583,333
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE JAMES B HUNT INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDATIO

    $556,666
    CARY, NC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    UNIDOSUS

    $300,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    START EARLY

    $300,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE JAMES B HUNT INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDATIO

    $300,000
    CARY, NC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC

    $300,000
    FAIRFIELD, CT2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY

    $300,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE CONNIE RICE INSTITUTE FOR URBAN PEACE

    $256,974
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    ARTS FOR HEALING AND JUSTICE

    $190,960
    LONG BEACH, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITION

    $181,818
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITION

    $177,663
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    ACADEMIA CESAR CHAVEZ CHARTER

    $155,391
    ST PAUL, MN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

    $154,333
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORK

    $147,500
    ALBANY, NY2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    ACADEMIA CESAR CHAVEZ CHARTER

    $128,892
    ST PAUL, MN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    EVERY TEXAN

    $128,000
    FLINT, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    ARTS FOR HEALING AND JUSTICE

    $125,949
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION

    $122,770
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN INC

    $114,500
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE CONNIE RICE INSTITUTE FOR URBAN PEACE

    $113,807
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN INC

    $108,000
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORK

    $105,000
    ALBANY, NY2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

    $104,448
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE

    $100,000
    JACKSON, MS2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    EVERY TEXAN

    $94,500
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION

    $94,040
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION

    $92,091
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    POLICY MATTERS OHIO

    $85,000
    CLEVELAND, OH2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN INC

    $75,000
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    EVERY TEXAN

    $75,000
    FLINT, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM COALITION

    $70,199
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE CONNIE RICE INSTITUTE FOR URBAN PEACE

    $69,364
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA

    $59,556
    SAINT PAUL, MN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    KIDS WIN MISSOURI

    $50,000
    MERRIAM, KS2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORK

    $40,000
    ALBANY, NY2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS

    $40,000
    SAINT PAUL, MN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    VARIOUS HATS INC

    $39,000
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    HOLA OHIO

    $30,000
    PAINESVILLE, OH2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    CHUCKANUT HEALTH FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    BELLINGHAM, WA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    AVANCE-AUSTIN

    $25,000
    AUSTIN, TX2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE

    $25,000
    KNOXVILLE, TN2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

    $25,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS

    FAYETTE COUNTY FAMILY RESOURCE NETWORK INC

    $25,000
    OAK HILL, WV2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORTS