Foundation for Child Development
The Foundation for Child Development is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Founded in 1900, it works at the intersection of research, policy, and community to support young children and advance social justice for children in the United States.
Foundation for Child Development at a glance
In short: Foundation for Child Development gave $3.7M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $93K), top state District of Columbia. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,715,850
- +6.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- -18.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $92,896
- +30.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $123,667,243
- +1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (15 of 30, 2025)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Foundation for Child Development
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; funding requests are by invitation only. The 2024 filing states that YSP fellowship grants were its only open competition. A 2025 YSP call described awards of up to $225,000 for primary data collection and analysis and up to $180,000 for secondary data analysis. These awards support scholars’ research projects and should not be understood as grants to outside organizations. The foundation’s general eligibility is limited to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
- Review Cycle
- The letter-of-intent deadline for the 2025 YSP call was June 7, 2024, after an extension.
- Deadline
- The letter-of-intent deadline for the 2025 YSP call was June 7, 2024, after an extension.
- Contact
Application contact: See Foundation'S Website For Inform
Mailing address: 475 Riverside Drive Suite 248, New York, NY 10115
Phone: (212) 867-5777
Website: https://www.fcd-us.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Foundation for Child Development funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Third Sector New England Inc ($511K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 213 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing’s grant dollars were distributed primarily among recipients in the District of Columbia (35%), Massachusetts (17%), Illinois (14%), New York (14%), and California (13%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Foundation for Child Development open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 30 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $135K; repeat grants $113K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $90K repeat.
- 40% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2021) to $4.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors New York City, NY | DCA General | $250,000 |
| Third Sector New England Inc Boston, MA | DCA General | $250,000 |
| Third Sector New England Inc Boston, MA | DCA General | $250,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors New York City, NY | DCA General | $250,000 |
| Guardianorg Foundation Washington, DC | DCA General | $200,000 |
| The Pew Charitable Trusts Washington, DC | DCA General | $200,000 |
| Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants & Refugees Petaluma, CA | DCA General | $167,000 |
| Start Early Chicago, IL | YSP | $152,000 |
| Erikson Institute Chicago, IL | DCA General | $150,000 |
| Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Washington, DC | DCA General | $150,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $123,667,243 | $5,889,619 | $6,699,512 | $3,715,850 | 40 | $6,218,425 | $5,549,714 | $6,107,342 |
| 2024 | $122,131,272 | $3,332,381 | $5,841,373 | $3,486,501 | 49 | $5,470,791 | $2,741,435 | $5,776,498 |
| 2023 | $110,405,093 | $3,315,576 | $6,305,495 | $4,028,816 | 36 | $5,883,681 | $2,902,290 | $5,510,482 |
| 2022 | $119,744,027 | $7,616,275 | $5,776,363 | $3,500,000 | 48 | $5,256,364 | $6,860,948 | $5,896,097 |
| 2021 | $117,011,384 | $2,423,413 | $5,190,496 | $3,000,000 | 40 | — | $1,946,934 | $5,166,590 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Foundation for Child Development reported a distributable amount of $6.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to harness research to help ensure that all young children benefit from early learning experiences that affirm their individual, family, and community assets, protect them from harmful effects of poverty, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, and strengthen their developmental potential.
Its strategic framework centers children marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality, and connects research, policy, and community priorities. The foundation’s view of child policy includes areas such as immigration, public benefits, and healthcare, as well as child care, education, and maternal health.
The foundation funds IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions: TSNE says it strengthens organizations working toward a just and equitable society; Start Early says it advances quality early learning for families with children; and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says it promotes public understanding and analyzes policies affecting low- and moderate-income families and individuals. The foundation states that it does not fund capital campaigns or endowments, or the purchase, construction, or renovation of buildings.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 40 grants totaling $3,715,850. Grant amounts ranged from $1,250 to $250,000, with a median of $75,000. Among the largest listed awards were $250,000 each to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and TSNE, with each recipient appearing twice in the largest-grants list; $200,000 each to Guardian.org Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and $152,000 to Start Early. The filing also lists a $150,000 grant to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) has supported early-career scholars conducting research intended to inform policy and practice. Its 2015–2025 focus was strengthening the capacity and status of the early care and education workforce. The foundation’s website states that it paused the grants program in 2025 while considering a redesign.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Velma McBride Murry, chair; Marissa Tirona, vice chair; and William Moon, treasurer. Directors listed include LaRue Allen, Alejandra Barraza, Linda Burton, Barbara Chow, Fabienne Doucet, and Virginia Klein. Lynn Karoly is listed as a director through November 2024.
Foundation for Child Development is led by Vivian Tseng, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Vivian Tseng
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$177K (2023) → $423K (2025)
Velma McBride Murry
Chair
Secretary → Chair & Secretary to, 2023
Chair & Secretary to → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Karoly
Director
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Virginia Klein
Director
Director → Treasurer & Director To11., 2023
Treasurer & Director To11. → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alejandra Barraza
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larue Allen
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Salvatore Laspada
Director
Secretary & Director to → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Chow
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fabienne Doucet
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Burton
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Zimmerman
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rini Banerjee
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Moon
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marissa Tirona
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Gregg Auerbach (2021–2024) — Director · Filing note: As of 112020
- Former: Joseph Tobin (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Marilou Hyson (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Cynthia Garcia Coll (2021–2023) — Director to
- Former: H. Melvin Ming (2021–2023) — Chair to
- Former: Jacqueline Jones (2021–2023) — President & CEO to
- Former: Tammy L. Mann (2021–2023) — Director to
- Former: Walter K. Frye (2021–2023) — Treasurer to
- Former: G. Andrew White III (2023) — Director
- Former: Bill Lewis (2021–2022) — Director · Filing note: As of 112020
- Former: Elena Fuentes-Afflick (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Drew White (2022) — Director
- Former: Sal Laspada (2022) — Director
- Former: Deann Morgan (2021) — Director · Filing note: As of 32021
- Former: Vivian L. Gadsden (2021) — Vice Chairperson
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 $423K, to Vivian Tseng (President/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Child Development
How much does Foundation for Child Development give each year?
Foundation for Child Development gave $3.7M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.5M across 49 grants.
What is Foundation for Child Development's typical grant size?
Foundation for Child Development's median grant in 2025 was $75,000, and its average grant was $92,896, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Foundation for Child Development that year got $135K on average.
Where does Foundation for Child Development give grants?
Foundation for Child Development's top state is District of Columbia, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (17%) and Illinois (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (14 grants), Chicago, IL (4 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (3 grants).
Does Foundation for Child Development give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of Foundation for Child Development's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Discrentionary & Field Grants" (14 grants).
Who are Foundation for Child Development's largest grantees?
Foundation for Child Development's largest 2025 grantees include Third Sector New England Inc ($510,500 across 3 grants), Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors ($500,000 across 2 grants) and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ($300,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation for Child Development?
Foundation for Child Development reported $123.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Foundation for Child Development fund?
The foundation’s mission is to harness research to help ensure that all young children benefit from early learning experiences that affirm their individual, family, and community assets, protect them from harmful effects of poverty, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, and strengthen their developmental potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Child Development?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; funding requests are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foundation for Child Development's EIN?
Foundation for Child Development's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1623901. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Foundation for Child Development accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foundation for Child Development funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-child-development-morg_b9acfcbaa344455f8b07cc9d9f4661fb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131623901_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foundation for Child Development funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-child-development-morg_b9acfcbaa344455f8b07cc9d9f4661fb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Foundation for Child Development'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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