Children's Defense Fund
Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is a public charity based in Washington, DC. Founded in 1969, it works at the intersection of child and youth well-being and racial justice through advocacy, community organizing, direct service, and public policy.
Children's Defense Fund at a glance
In short: Children's Defense Fund gave $7.0M across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $207K), mostly in District of Columbia. 58% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,045,009
- +95.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $207,206
- -2.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $32,500
- Total assets
- $40,067,480
- -28.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (19 of 33, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (51% 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).
How to apply to Children's Defense Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 840 First Street Ne 300, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 662-3622
Website: https://childrensdefense.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Children's Defense Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National League of Cities Institute ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $6.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 81 grants of 142 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CDF is based in Washington, DC. In 2024, 51% of its reported grant dollars went to recipients in DC, 15% to Connecticut, 10% to Illinois, 8% to North Carolina, and 6% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Children's Defense Fund open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 33 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $470K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $120K repeat.
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. 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 $1.5M (2020) to $7.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $7.0M.
*2021: Covers 15 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National League of Cities Institute Washington, DC | Program Supports | $1,414,666 |
| Save the Children Federation Inc Fairfield, CT | Program Supports | $1,044,666 |
| Unidosus Washington, DC | Program Supports | $1,020,000 |
| Start Early Chicago, IL | Program Supports | $648,000 |
| Center for the Study of Social Policy Washington, DC | Program Supports | $583,333 |
| The Center for the Study of Social Policy Washington, DC | Program Supports | $583,333 |
| The James B Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundatio Cary, NC | Program Supports | $556,666 |
| Arts for Healing and Justice Los Angeles, CA | Program Supports | $125,949 |
| Texans Care for Children Inc Austin, TX | Program Supports | $114,500 |
| The Connie Rice Institute for Urban Peace Los Angeles, CA | Program Supports | $113,807 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $40,067,480 | $23,995,349 | $34,918,824 | $7,045,009 | 34 | $805,651 |
| 2023 | $55,754,565 | $20,163,089 | $33,491,875 | $3,604,092 | 17 | $291,619 |
| 2022 | $54,348,376 | $17,509,448 | $28,336,010 | $2,634,168 | 28 | $-1,563,428 |
| 2021* | $63,282,994 | $56,372,667 | $26,585,102 | $1,515,771 | 28 | $1,315,560 |
| 2020 | $31,955,054 | $20,431,589 | $19,978,433 | $1,498,051 | 35 | $549,278 |
*2021: Covers 15 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CDF’s mission is to build community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. Its stated policy priorities include children’s health and healing, education for civic life and work, early learning and development, family stability and economic mobility, and just and caring communities.
CDF’s 2024 program descriptions identify policy and advocacy, building a movement for youth, and CDF Freedom Schools as program areas. The organization describes Freedom Schools as a research-based reading enrichment program that fosters cultural pride, empowerment, academic confidence, and young people’s belief in their ability to effect change.
Examples of organizations receiving CDF grants in 2024 include the National League of Cities Institute, whose mission is to equip locally elected officials with tools and knowledge to govern effectively; Save the Children Federation, which describes itself as a children’s relief and development organization; UnidosUS, which describes itself as a Latino civil rights and advocacy organization; and Start Early, which advances early learning for families. Other recipients include the Center for the Study of Social Policy, which says it works toward a racially, economically, and socially just society in which children, youth, and families thrive; and the Mississippi Center for Justice, which says it pursues racial and economic justice and strategies to combat discrimination and poverty.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CDF reported 34 grants totaling $7,045,009. Grant amounts ranged from $5,250 to $1,414,666, with a median grant of $32,500. The largest reported grants included:
The reported purpose for each of these grants was program support. CDF also reported grants to Arts for Healing and Justice ($125,949), Texans Care for Children ($114,500), the Connie Rice Institute for Urban Peace ($113,807), Clean and Healthy New York ($105,000), and the Mississippi Center for Justice ($100,000).
CDF’s website describes a separate process for organizations interested in sponsoring a CDF Freedom Schools program. The steps include reviewing program information, attending an application information session, submitting an application, and reviewing the program calendar. The website distinguishes first-time sponsor applications from renewals and states that renewals are for organizations that operated a program in 2025 or 2026, or applied to facilitate one within the previous two years. This is a process for becoming a Freedom Schools sponsor, not a stated general grant application process.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Starsky Wilson as President/CEO, Sheri Brady as Vice President, Strategy & Program, Cheryl Cook-Posley as National Director, Movement Building & Programs, Oleta Fitzgerald as Director of the Southern Regional Office, Kathleen Flynn as Chief Operating Officer, Kristal Clemons as National Director of Freedom Schools, Alta Riggs as Controller to October 2024, Shaquite Pegues as Managing Director of Freedom Schools, Marian Edelman as President Emerita, and Don Darius Butler as Chair. CDF identifies Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson as President and CEO and Marian Wright Edelman as its founder and President Emerita.
Children's Defense Fund is led by Starsky Wilson, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 9 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Starsky Wilson
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$556K (2021) → $367K (2024)
Don Darius Butler
Chair
Bod Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shaquite Pegues
Managing Director Freedom Schools
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$136K (2024)
Oleta Fitzgerald
Director of Southern Regional Officer
Southern Region Director → Director of Southern Regional Ofc, 2021
Director of Southern Regional Ofc → Director of Southern Regional Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$155K (2020) → $155K (2024)
Kristal Clemons
National Director Freedom Schools
National Director & Cdf Freedom Schools → National Director Freedom Schools, 2024
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$136K (2021) → $138K (2024)
Cheryl Cook-Posley
Natl Director, Mvmt Building & Programs
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$160K (2024)
Marian Wright Edelman
President Emerita
President Emerita & Bod Member → President Emerita, 2021
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $115K (2024)
Sheri Brady
Vice President, Strategy & Program
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$105K (2021) → $201K (2024)
Alta Riggs
Controller to October
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$137K (2024)
Kathleen Flynn
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$144K (2024)
Deborah Jewell-Sherman
Secretary
Bod Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Malaak Compton-Rock
Board Member
Bod Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin Rodgers
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zachary Boyers
Board Member
Bod Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Clay Grubb
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (27)
- Former: Angela Glover Blackwell (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Carol Oughton Biondi (2020–2023) — Bod Member
- Former: Dd Eisenberg (2020–2023) — Bod Member
- Former: Lan Bentsen (2020–2023) — Bod Member
- Former: Laphonza Butler (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Carmen Rojas (2021–2023) — Bod Member
- Former: Deborah Cogut (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Audrey Johnson (2022–2023) — Vice President of Institutional Advancement
- Former: Kercena Dozier (2022–2023) — New York State Director
- Former: Randy Marsh (2022–2023) — Vice President Operations
- Former: Robert Farrace (2022–2023) — National Director & Public Affairs
- Former: Shamir Shahi (2022–2023) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Thomas Harvey (2022–2023) — California State Director & National Litigation
- Former: George Gresham (2020–2022) — Bod Member
- Former: Ivanna Omeechevarria (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Ruth-Ann Huvane (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Gijsbrecht Deleede (2020–2021) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Mark Publow (2020–2021) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Patrick Bresette (2020–2021) — Director of Cdf Texas
- Former: Kathleen King (2021) — Policy Director
- Former: Nakeba Croom (2021) — Director of Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Sarah Forman (2021) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Bryan Stevenson Esq. (2020) — Bod Member
- Former: Jurnee Smollett-Bell (2020) — Bod Member
- Former: Kimberley Chin (2020) — Deputy Director
- Former: Max Lesko (2020) — National Executive Director
- Former: Naomi Street (2020) — Executive Director
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 $367K, to Starsky Wilson (President/CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Children's Defense Fund
How much does Children's Defense Fund give each year?
Children's Defense Fund gave $7.0M across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.6M across 17 grants.
What is Children's Defense Fund's typical grant size?
Children's Defense Fund's median grant in 2024 was $32,500, and its average grant was $207,206, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Children's Defense Fund that year got $25K on average.
Where does Children's Defense Fund give grants?
Children's Defense Fund gives mostly in District of Columbia: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (15%) and Illinois (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (5 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Austin, TX (3 grants).
Does Children's Defense Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Children's Defense Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Supports" (34 grants).
Who are Children's Defense Fund's largest grantees?
Children's Defense Fund's largest 2024 grantees include National League of Cities Institute ($1,414,666), Center for the Study of Social Policy ($1,166,666 across 2 grants) and Save the Children Federation Inc ($1,044,666), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Children's Defense Fund?
Children's Defense Fund reported $40.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.0M.
What does Children's Defense Fund fund?
CDF’s mission is to build community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. Its stated policy priorities include children’s health and healing, education for civic life and work, early learning and development, family stability and economic mobility, and just and caring communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Children's Defense Fund?
Children's Defense Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check childrensdefense.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Children's Defense Fund's EIN?
Children's Defense Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0895622. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 August 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Children's Defense Fund funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Children's Defense Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Children's Defense Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/children-s-defense-fund-morg_7f5b34168df64f0b9df18d01071dd740
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_520895622_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Children's Defense Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/children-s-defense-fund-morg_7f5b34168df64f0b9df18d01071dd740},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Children's Defense Fund'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.
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