Children's Equity Fund
Children’s Equity Fund (CEF) is a public charity based in Washington, DC, established in 2019 through a donation from the Jane Bainum Trust. It advances policy change at the federal, state, and local levels to improve the well-being of children and families, and funds policy advocacy, voter protection, and voter education.
Key facts about Children's Equity Fund
In short: Children's Equity Fund gave $6.9M across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $223K), top state District of Columbia. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 84-3694024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,915,750
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- Average grant
- $223,089
- Median grant
- $150,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (12 of 26, 2025)
- Total assets
- $114,354,450
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (46% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$114.4M
-1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.9M
-27.8% YoY
Grant Count
31
-11.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$223K
-18.5% YoY
Is Children's Equity Fund open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 26 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $145K; repeat grants $370K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $205K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
CEF’s mission is to champion comprehensive policy changes at the federal, state, and local levels to create lasting systems change that improves the well-being of children and families. Its filing describes work with local and national organizations to advance equity-driven policies and systemic change for young children from birth through age eight and their families, including advocacy for increased public investment in early childhood programs and services, with attention to historically marginalized communities. The organization also supports voter education and protection, which it connects to civic engagement and lasting systems change.
CEF says it funds organizations and collaboratives working to address racial and economic inequities affecting Black and brown communities. Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of funded work: Impact Fellows Action Fund describes providing funding and technical assistance to state advocates for early childhood policies; Virginia Promise in Action says it builds political will for policy improvements and increased investment in Virginia’s child care system; and Economic Security Project Action says it advocates for economic power, guaranteed income, and cash tax credits.
Grantmaking
In 2025, CEF reported 31 grants totaling $6,915,750. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $930,000, with a median of $150,000. Notable awards included $930,000 to DC Action for Children, $800,000 to Future Now Action, $650,000 to Impact Fellows Action Fund, $600,000 to Economic Security Project Action, and $400,000 to Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund. Other large awards included $395,000 to Clapham Group LLC, $350,000 to Future Now Action, and $250,000 to Center for Community Change Action.
Ready to take the next step with Children's Equity Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CEF’s 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states, with the largest shares going to Washington, DC (46%), Virginia (12%), New York (12%), Kansas (9%), and Mississippi (7%). These figures describe the locations of grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.2M (2022) to $9.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $6.9M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Future Now Action ($1.1M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $5.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 34 grants of 89 (38%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DC Action for Children Washington, DC | FY25 CEF Grant | $930,000 |
| Future Now Action Washington, DC | FY24 CEF Grant | $800,000 |
| Impact Fellows Action Fund Leawood, KS | Social Welfare Grant | $650,000 |
| Economic Security Project Action New York, NY | CEF Primary Purpose Renewal Grant | $600,000 |
| Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund Washington, DC | CEF Primary Purpose Grant | $400,000 |
| Clapham Group LLC Springfield, VA | Grant for CTC Efforts | $395,000 |
| Future Now Action Washington, DC | CEF Political Activity Renewal Grant | $350,000 |
| Center for Community Change Action Washington, DC | FY24 Request | $250,000 |
| Mississippi Voter Alliance Jackson, MS | FY25 CEF Social Welfare Grant | $250,000 |
| Virginia Promise in Action Richmond, VA | CEF Social Welfare Grant | $240,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $114,354,450 | $10,870,033 | $9,467,242 | $6,915,750 |
| 2024 | $115,732,034 | $1,800,083 | $11,484,106 | $9,581,250 |
| 2023 | $120,585,585 | $2,430,629 | $4,764,606 | $3,720,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $114,354,450 | $115,732,034 | $120,585,585 |
| Revenue | $10,870,033 | $1,800,083 | $2,430,629 |
| Expenses | $9,467,242 | $11,484,106 | $4,764,606 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,870,033 | $1,800,083 | $2,430,629 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 1, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara Bainum as board chair; Scott Renschler, Brad Bainum, Alaina Beverly, and Roxana Norouzi as board directors; David Daniels as president; Michael Brannan as treasurer and CFO; Mae Cheung and Aimee Stewart as part-year secretaries; and John Grant as director of program and operations. The organization states that its board includes Bainum family members and trusted experts.
Children's Equity Fund is led by David Daniels, President on every filing since 2021; 9 of 15 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Daniels
President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$16K (2021) → $74K (2025)
Barbara Bainum
Board Chair
Director & Member → Board Director, 2023
Board Director → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Deeds
Senior Director of Finance
Treasurer → Senior Director of Finance, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$8K (2021) → $17K (2025)
John Grant
Director, Program & Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$180K (2025)
Kelly Smith
Director of Communications
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
$23K (2025)
Scott Renschler
Board Director
Director → Board Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Bainum
Board Director
Director → Board Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alaina Beverly
Board Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roxana Norouzi
Board Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mae Cheung
Part-Year Secretary
Secretary → Part-Year Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
$16K (2021) → $44K (2025)
Marica Cox Mitchell
Chief Program Officer
Senior Director & Early Childhood → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Chief Program Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$5K (2022) → $3K (2025)
Rebecca Cisek
Chief Impact Officer
Vice President of Organization Learning → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Chief Impact Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $22K (2025)
Clara Northington
Vice President of Human Resources
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$11K (2023) → $21K (2025)
Michael Brannan
Treasurer & CFO
Treasurer & Vice President of Finance → Treasurer & CFO, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$9K (2024) → $18K (2025)
Aimee Stewart
Part-Year Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Leila Otis Left (2024) — Senior Advisor
- Former: Miyesha Perry (2024) — Director of Grants Management
- Former: Ann Egan (2022–2023) — Director & Communications
- Former: Leila Otis (2022–2023) — CFO & Related Organization
- Former: Brenda Henry (2022) — Vice President of Programs
- Former: Andrew Curtis (2021) — Director & Infor. Technology
- Former: Roberto Rodriguez (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $180K, to John Grant (DIR. , Program & Operations). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1401 H Street 650, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (240) 450-0011
Website: https://childrensequityfund.org
Frequently asked questions about Children's Equity Fund
How much does Children's Equity Fund give each year?
Children's Equity Fund gave $6.9M across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $9.6M across 35 grants.
What is Children's Equity Fund's typical grant size?
Children's Equity Fund's median grant in 2025 was $150,000, and its average grant was $223,089, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Children's Equity Fund that year got $145K on average.
Where does Children's Equity Fund give grants?
Children's Equity Fund's top state is District of Columbia, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Virginia (12%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (10 grants), Jackson, MS (3 grants), Hyattsville, MD (3 grants) and Seattle, WA (3 grants).
Does Children's Equity Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on Children's Equity Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "CEF Board Discretionary" (5 grants), "CEF Primary Purpose Renewal Grant" (4 grants) and "FY24 CEF Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Children's Equity Fund's largest grantees?
Children's Equity Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Future Now Action ($1,150,000 across 2 grants), DC Action for Children ($930,000) and Economic Security Project Action ($800,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Children's Equity Fund?
Children's Equity Fund reported $114.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.9M.
What does Children's Equity Fund fund?
CEF’s mission is to champion comprehensive policy changes at the federal, state, and local levels to create lasting systems change that improves the well-being of children and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Children's Equity Fund?
Children's Equity Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check childrensequityfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Children's Equity Fund's EIN?
Children's Equity Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3694024. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Children's Equity Fund by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Children's Equity Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Center for Community Change Action
Washington, DC
The Center for Community Change Action funds grassroots organizing, voter engagement, leadership development, and policy and advocacy work focused on low-income people, especially people of color, and economic, racial, and immigrant justice. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $100,000, and supported organizations in several states, including Washington, DC, New York, Oregon, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.4M
Grants
15
Total Given
$1.6M
Wellness Advocacy Fund
Fulton, MD
Wellness Advocacy Fund supports organizations working on voting rights and access for communities and leaders of color, climate action, and redistricting. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25,000 to $500,000, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across the United States, with the largest shares in DC, California, New Hampshire, Arizona, and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$28.8M
Grants
35
Total Given
$5.3M
Tides Advocacy
West Hollywood, CA
Tides Advocacy funds social justice, environmental protection, and democracy work, including advocacy and political activity. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $3.45 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across the United States, with the largest shares in Delaware, D.C., New York, California, and Michigan. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$39.4M
Grants
192
Total Given
$29.5M
Sixteen Thirty Fund
Washington, DC
SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND supports social-change projects focused on areas including racial justice, voting access, health care, climate, and democracy, with work across the United States. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,700 to $27.85 million, with a median of $115,000. It generally requires a written application, but the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$106.5M
Grants
318
Total Given
$236.4M
Open Society Action Fund Inc
New York, NY
Open Society Action Fund supports domestic and international policy advocacy and organizations working on democracy, civil and human rights, racial and gender justice, reproductive freedom, economic security, and related issues. In 2024, its grants had a median of $400,000, with awards ranging from about $40,000 to $16.4 million; its work spans U.S. issues and regions worldwide, though most reported grant dollars went to recipients in the District of Columbia and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.6M
Grants
203
Total Given
$159.6M
Fwdus Inc
Washington, DC
FWDUS INC funds advocacy and education supporting immigration and criminal justice reform, with 2024 grants ranging from $6,500 to $60,000 and a median of $25,000. Its grants went to organizations in several states, with the largest share in Texas; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.2M
Grants
23
Total Given
$559K
Public Wise Inc
New York, NY
Public Wise funds unrestricted operations for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations working on voting rights and democracy, including voter education, organizing, and efforts to counter voter suppression. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $150,000, with a median of $50,000; priority states included Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. It invites organizations to explore partnership opportunities, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
27
Total Given
$1.3M
North Fund
Washington, DC
North Fund supports U.S. work in civil rights and advocacy, health equity, education, economic opportunity, voting rights, and technology and innovation. Its 2024 grants ranged from $7,500 to $5.7 million, with a median of $200,000. It evaluates applications, but the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$50.5M
Grants
70
Total Given
$34.0M
The Heising-Simons Action Fund
Los Altos, CA
The Heising-Simons Action Fund supports policy and legislative advocacy on climate and clean energy, education, human rights, civic engagement, and democracy, in California and elsewhere. In 2024, grants ranged from $20,000 to $645,000, with a median of $200,000. No application method or deadline is stated, so whether it accepts unsolicited requests is unclear.
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
73
Total Given
$16.2M
Democracy Fund Voice Inc
Washington, DC
Democracy Fund Voice supports advocacy and organizations working to strengthen U.S. democracy, including fair elections, accessible public information, accountable governance, and inclusive communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $30,000 to $825,000, with a median of $200,000; funding went mainly to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, and California. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.4M
Grants
50
Total Given
$12.6M
NEO Philanthropy Action Fund Inc
New York, NY
NEO Philanthropy Action Fund supports advocacy and organizing on immigrant justice, civic participation and voter education, and climate change and clean energy. In 2024, its 56 grants ranged from $10,000 to $3.25 million, with a median of $90,000; grants went to organizations in multiple states, led by New York and California. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.1M
Grants
56
Total Given
$10.2M
America Votes
Washington, DC
America Votes’ Education Fund makes grants to expand ballot access, voter education and participation, particularly among young people and communities of color, while its broader work supports democracy and voting rights. In 2025, grants ranged from $10,000 to $13.945 million, with a median of $500,000; its work spans more than 20 states, and grant dollars went mostly to recipients in Washington, DC. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.3M
Grants
119
Total Given
$168.6M
More Funders in District of Columbia
Children's Equity Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?