American Federation for Children Inc
To empower families, especially lower-income families, with the freedom to choose the best k-12 education for their children.
American Federation for Children Inc at a glance
In short: American Federation for Children Inc gave $895K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $75K), mostly in Texas. 67% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $894,601
- -47.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $74,550
- -38.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $6,313,490
- +21.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 67% first-time grantees (8 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (58% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who American Federation for Children Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Empower Kentucky Parents Inc ($500K). Together the top 10 received $877K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 79 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Federation for Children Inc open to new grantees?
67%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 12 grantees (67%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $94K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $31K repeat.
- 33% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $895K (2024) to $2.9M (2020). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $895K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Empower Kentucky Parents Inc Dallas, TX | Educational Choice Support in KY | $500,000 |
| Partners for Education Freedom NC Raleigh, NC | Educational Choice Support in NC | $100,000 |
| Kentucky Students First Inc Louisville, KY | Direct Contribution | $75,000 |
| Hoosiers for Quality Education Indianapolis, IN | Educational Choice Support in IN | $75,000 |
| School Choice Ohio Alliance Inc Columbus, OH | Educational Choice Support in OH | $50,000 |
| State Freedom Caucus Network Washington, DC | Direct Contribution | $25,000 |
| Charter Schools Now Austin, TX | Direct Contribution | $15,000 |
| Texas Federation for Children Pac Alexandria, VA | General Support | $12,868 |
| The Revitalization Project Washington, DC | Direct Contribution | $12,500 |
| Keep Kids First Lincoln, NE | General Support | $11,645 |
Ready to take the next step with American Federation for Children Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,313,490 | $11,825,233 | $10,808,906 | $894,601 | 12 | $262,758 |
| 2023 | $5,198,587 | $11,135,289 | $11,010,965 | $1,708,886 | 14 | $43,296 |
| 2022 | $5,215,670 | $8,995,479 | $8,835,736 | $1,693,145 | 15 | $28,603 |
| 2021 | $4,734,302 | $8,920,295 | $7,734,161 | $1,060,000 | 14 | $-9,558 |
| 2020 | $3,401,526 | $9,596,806 | $9,018,429 | $2,925,500 | 24 | $1,670 |
About American Federation for Children Inc
Based on IRS filings
American Federation for Children Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Columbia, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 12 grants totaling $895K. Net investment income was $263K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
American Federation for Children Inc is led by Thomas Schultz, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2021; 8 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas Schultz
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2021
17.1 hrs/week
$355K (2021) → $383K (2024)
William E. Oberndorf
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Duplessis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$66K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Gillum Ferguson
Director of Political Strategy
New on the 2024 filing
32.3 hrs/week
$232K (2024)
Edward McDermott
Director
Director → Member, 2021
Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Lieberman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Barfield II
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Shiverick
Director
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Hock
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Miller
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
23.1 hrs/week
$180K (2020) → $263K (2024)
Mark Z. Dawes
Special Advisor
National Director of Development → Special Advisor, 2023
On filings since 2020
18.5 hrs/week
$290K (2020) → $283K (2024)
Katie Linehan
Vice President Communications & Development
Nat'l Director of Committee & Marketing → National Director of Communications & Marketing, 2022
National Director of Communications & Marketing → Vice President Communications & Development, 2023
On filings since 2021
15.1 hrs/week
$148K (2021) → $266K (2024)
Ryan Cantrell
Vice President Government Affairs
Nat'l Director of Government Affairs → National Director of Government Affairs, 2022
National Director of Government Affairs → Vice President Government Affairs, 2023
On filings since 2021
26.2 hrs/week
$166K (2021) → $316K (2024)
Steve Saxe
General Counsel
On filings since 2022
33.6 hrs/week
$178K (2022) → $259K (2024)
Elisa Clements Linde
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2024 filing
15.1 hrs/week
$351K (2024)
John Kirtley
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Hubbard
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Elisa Clements (2020–2023) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Scott Walker (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Corey Deangelis (2022–2023) — Senior Fellow
- Former: Jimmy Haslam (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin P. Chavous (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sister Rosemarie Nassif (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Guluigan (2020–2021) — Director of Donor Relations
- Former: Gregory Brock (2020–2021) — CEO
- Former: John Schilling (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Shaka Mitchell (2020–2021) — Director of State Strategy & Advocacy
- Former: Darrell Allison (2020) — National Director of State Teams & Political Advisor
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $383K, to Thomas Schultz (Chief Executive Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Federation for Children Inc
How much does American Federation for Children Inc give each year?
American Federation for Children Inc gave $895K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 14 grants.
What is American Federation for Children Inc's typical grant size?
American Federation for Children Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $74,550, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Federation for Children Inc that year got $94K on average.
Where does American Federation for Children Inc give grants?
American Federation for Children Inc gives mostly in Texas: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (11%) and Kentucky (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does American Federation for Children Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of American Federation for Children Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Direct Contribution" (5 grants).
Who are American Federation for Children Inc's largest grantees?
American Federation for Children Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Empower Kentucky Parents Inc ($500,000), Partners for Education Freedom NC ($100,000) and Kentucky Students First Inc ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is American Federation for Children Inc?
American Federation for Children Inc reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.8M.
What is American Federation for Children Inc?
American Federation for Children Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Columbia, MD. It holds $6.3M in total assets as of 2024.
What is American Federation for Children Inc's EIN?
American Federation for Children Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0627955. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Federation for Children Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Yes Every Kid Inc
Arlington, VA
Yes Every Kid funds education-policy research, advocacy, and program implementation—not proposals to fund schools—and its grants are typically $10,000–$50,000, with a $25,000 median. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in multiple states; it accepts grant proposals on a rolling basis, with prospective applicants asked to schedule a consultation.
Assets
$3.1M
Grants
15
Total Given
$410K
Campaign for Great Public Schools
Beaverton, OR
Campaign for Great Public Schools funds community-rooted organizations working to improve public education through advocacy, organizing, leadership development, and policy work, supporting cities across the United States. In 2025, grants ranged from $10,000 to $2 million, with a median of $120,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.7M
Grants
74
Total Given
$15.9M
American Federation for Children Growth Fund Inc
Columbia, MD
The American Federation for Children Growth Fund supports K–12 school-choice programs, including scholarships, family awareness, research, policy, and community outreach, especially for lower-income families. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25,000 to $750,000, with a median of $100,000, and supported organizations in states across the country.
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
The Robert S & Star Pepper
Rosevvile, CA
The foundation’s grants support community health, education, ministries, government accountability, legal advocacy, and services for women and families, with most funding going to California and some to Virginia, Washington, DC, and Texas. In 2025, it made grants of $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $37,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$565K
Grants
10
Total Given
$725K
Sisters of St Joseph Healthcare Foundation
Orange, CA
The Sisters of St Joseph funds organizations addressing the needs of working and indigent people, including work on housing, family violence, community services, and at-risk youth. Its focus is Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Humboldt County; 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with a median of $40,000. The filing does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$52.2M
Grants
63
Total Given
$2.6M
Mario and Alma Pastega Family Foundation
Corvallis, OR
The foundation supports a range of community, health, education, arts, and social-service organizations, primarily in Oregon statewide. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $647,000, with a median of $4,000. It requests letters seeking funding and lists no deadline; unsolicited requests are not explicitly addressed.
Assets
$17.1M
Grants
74
Total Given
$1.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from American Federation for Children Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
American Federation for Children Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?