Children's Equity Fund

Early childhood advocacy and policy: the first few years of life are critical for human development as the building blocks for lifelong learning, economic productivity, health and wellbeing, and positive relationships are formed during this early childhood developmental period. The Fund works with local and national organizations to improve conditions for young children (birth through age eight) and their families by advancing equity-driven public policies and systemic change. The Fund has awarded funding to organizations that explicitly advocate for increased public investments in early childhood programs and services, with attention to historically marginalized populations and communities.

Cef has focused on research, learning how best to deploy its funds, and building infrastructure from which it can launch program initiatives. The infrastructure development program is instrumental in equipping cef to advance policy change for young children through building the financial, legal, technology, communications and evaluation infrastructure needed to effectively operate a 501(c)(4) alongside a private foundation. The program has produced a deliberate and thoughtful process that positions cef to be an effective and impactful funder in the early childhood policy arena.

While the primary focus of cef is to advance positive outcomes for early childhood, the organization acknowledges the importance of a healthy democracy and robust civic engagement to create lasting systems change. The innovation Fund aims to address systemic disenfranchisement of people of color around the country. Cef engages policy and advocacy partners to increase public turnout to voting and to educate voters about how policy positions impact young children and their families. Partners in this space work with local community leaders and volunteers to empower and educate voters about their rights and voting options.