The Foundation for Child Development (FCD) is a private, independent grantmaking foundation and the oldest philanthropic organization in the United States with a sustained focus on improving the well-being and development of young children. Founded in 1900 and incorporated as a voluntary agency that year, FCD became a grantmaking foundation in 1944 after receiving a bequest from Milo M. Belding. Headquartered in New York, the organization operates at the intersection of research, policy, and community to advance social justice for young children from birth through early adolescence.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$123.7M
+1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.7M
+6.6% YoY
Grant Count
40
-18.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$93K
+30.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
FCD's mission centers on enriching the lives of young children and supporting all children in reaching their full potential. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Vivian Tseng since 2022, the foundation prioritizes children marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality, with a vision that "every child can thrive, and where families have the power to shape the systems that affect their lives."
The foundation's work integrates empirical research, policy analysis, and practical implementation to address gaps in early childhood systems. Key focus areas include:
- Research partnerships and evidence-based strategies
- Organizing and movement-building
- Infrastructure and capacity-building
- Strategic communications
- Policy reforms, including pre-kindergarten expansion and family support systems
- Young Scholars Program, which provides dissertation fellowships to doctoral candidates investigating disparities in child development, particularly among low-income and immigrant populations
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $30,000 to $500,000
Invitation Only
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; grantmaking is by invitation only.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FCD maintains a national focus on the United States, with special emphasis on New York City.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $124 million (as of fiscal year ending March 2025)
Revenue & Expenses (Fiscal Year Ending March 2025):
- Revenue: $5.89 million
- Expenses: $6.7 million
- Net Income: -$809,893
- Total Liabilities: $0
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization since April 1938; EIN 13-1623901
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $123,667,243 | $122,131,272 | $110,405,093 |
| Revenue | $5,889,619 | $3,332,381 | $3,315,576 |
| Expenses | $6,699,512 | $5,841,373 | $6,305,495 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,218,425 | $5,470,791 | $5,883,681 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,549,714 | $2,741,435 | $2,902,290 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,107,342 | $5,776,498 | $5,510,482 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Velma McBride Murry, Chair
- Marissa Tirona, Vice Chair
- William Moon, Treasurer
- LaRue Allen, Director
- Alejandra Barraza, Director
- Linda Burton, Director
- Barbara Chow, Director
- Fabienne Doucet, Director
- Virginia Klein, Director
- Salvatore Laspada, Director
- Tracy Zimmerman, Director
- Rini Banerjee, Director (as of November 2024)
- Lynn Karoly, Director (through November 2024)
Executive Leadership:
- Vivian Tseng, President and CEO
- Deborah Temkin Cahill, Chief Operating Officer (joined December 2025)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VELMA MCBRIDE MURRY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MARISSA TIRONA | VICE CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| WILLIAM MOON | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| LARUE ALLEN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ALEJANDRA BARRAZA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LINDA BURTON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BARBARA CHOW | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| FABIENNE DOUCET | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LYNN KAROLY | DIRECTOR THROUGH NOV 2024 | 0.5 | — |
| VIRGINIA KLEIN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SALVATORE LASPADA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TRACY ZIMMERMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| RINI BANERJEE | DIRECTOR AS OF NOV 2024 | 0.5 | — |
| VIVIAN TSENG | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $422,650 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
FCD awarded $1.93 million in grants in 2024 to support social justice for young children
Foundation for Child Development Awards $1.93 Million in Grants to SupportThe Early Educator Investment Collaborative, supported by FCD, awarded grants to address unjust compensation for the early childhood education workforce
Early Educator Investment Collaborative Awards New Grantees to Address UnjustPresident and CEO Vivian Tseng published a 2026 annual letter outlining the foundation's strategic direction
2026 Annual Letter from President & CEO, Vivian Tseng - Foundation For ChildContact Information
Address: 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 248, New York, NY 10115
Phone: 212-867-5777
Email: info@fcd-us.org
Website: fcd-us.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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