The Childrens Scholarship Fund
The Children’s Scholarship Fund (CSF) is a public charity based in New York, New York, formed in 1998. It provides scholarships to children in need and supports expanded educational opportunities through its own programs and a network of partner organizations.
The Childrens Scholarship Fund at a glance
In short: The Childrens Scholarship Fund gave $2.7M across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $157K), top state California. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,670,801
- +3.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +6.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $157,106
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $64,836,208
- +16.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (29% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Childrens Scholarship Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 8 West 38Th St 8Th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 515-7100
Website: https://scholarshipfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Childrens Scholarship Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Basic Fund ($768K). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 30 grants of 83 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CSF describes its partner network as nationwide. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars went to California (29%), Colorado (12%), New York (12%), Pennsylvania (11%), and Nebraska (9%). CSF’s website lists partner programs across states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Childrens Scholarship Fund open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 17 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $100K; repeat grants $161K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $90K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2022) to $3.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Basic Fund Oakland, CA | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $768,318 |
| Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $300,000 |
| The BISON Children's Scholarship Fund Inc Buffalo, NY | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $285,000 |
| Alliance for Choice in Education Denver, CO | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $275,000 |
| Children's Scholarship Fund of Omaha Omaha, NE | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $250,000 |
| Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation St. Louis, MO | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $184,750 |
| Memphis Oppprtunity Scholarship Trust Inc Memphis, TN | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $108,835 |
| Catholic Partnership Schools Camden, NJ | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $105,000 |
| Palmetto Promise Institute Columbia, SC | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $100,000 |
| Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore Baltimore, MD | To provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Childrens Scholarship Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Figures are reported by filing year.
CSF’s filing narrative says the reported revenue includes gross income from fundraising events for all years presented, and that 2023 also includes a utility refund from prior years. In fiscal year 2025, CSF received approximately $28.7 million from New Hampshire to fund Education Freedom Accounts; it acts as the state’s agent for those accounts and approves qualified educational costs.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,836,208 | $31,727,311 | $25,476,305 | $2,670,801 | 17 | $2,432,235 |
| 2024 | $55,709,040 | $29,582,645 | $24,608,665 | $2,579,812 | 16 | $2,000,662 |
| 2023 | $40,912,471 | $25,015,263 | $22,876,068 | $2,532,415 | 16 | $984,796 |
| 2022 | $36,136,002 | $24,710,520 | $23,317,744 | $2,442,508 | 17 | $63,978 |
| 2021 | $31,602,200 | $29,369,335 | $23,353,662 | $3,032,040 | 17 | $14,866 |
| 2020 | $25,476,794 | $27,592,882 | $24,509,577 | $3,615,858 | 17 | $269,867 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CSF’s mission is to empower families by providing children in need with scholarships and supporting expanded educational opportunities for all children. Its work includes providing privately funded scholarships in New York, managing school-choice programs in New Hampshire, and making matching grants and providing program support to partner scholarship organizations.
The 2025 filing describes CSF’s grants as matching grants to scholarship organizations for partial awards to children from low-income families. For example, The BASIC Fund describes its mission as advancing educational equity for low-income Bay Area families by helping offset private-school tuition. Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia says it provides needs-based scholarships for Philadelphia children to attend K–8 schools. The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund describes its work as helping low-income families afford private K–12 schools in Western New York.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, CSF reported 17 grants totaling $2,670,801. Grant amounts ranged from $6,950 to $768,318, with a median of $100,000. The largest awards included $768,318 to The BASIC Fund, $300,000 to Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, $285,000 to The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, $275,000 to Alliance for Choice in Education, and $250,000 to Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha. The stated purpose for these awards was to provide partial scholarship awards to children from low-income families.
CSF says its grant agreements require awards to be based solely on financial need, target low-income families, verify income eligibility annually, limit the scholarship to no more than 75% of tuition less other financial aid, and verify continued enrollment at least twice each academic year. In fiscal year 2025, CSF reported that its matching grants helped partner organizations provide $62.7 million in scholarships to more than 21,500 children.
For families seeking a CSF scholarship, the website directs them to find the nearest partner program, check whether it is offering new scholarships and review its eligibility requirements, then follow that program’s application instructions. Applications typically require federal income tax forms or other financial information and a current public-school report card, except for children entering kindergarten. Eligibility and grade requirements vary by location; CSF says income guidelines are based on the National School Lunch Program and include some families whose income is slightly above that program’s limits. Families generally contribute toward tuition. Scholarships may be used at legally operating private schools, though in some cities, including New York, families choose from a list of participating schools designated by funding partners.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Darla M. Romfo as President and CEO; Kathleen Doran as CFO; Katie J. Baker Demers as Executive Director of New Hampshire Programs; Michele Mitola as VP of Strategic Planning & Development; Elizabeth Toomey as Corporate Secretary; Amy Popadick as Director of Strategic Partnerships; Marie M. Bathelmy as Director of Scholarship Operations; Kelly D. Belmonte as Director of Donor Engagement; and Matthew Bonanno and Margot McGinness as Co-Chairs.
The Childrens Scholarship Fund is led by Darla M Romfo, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Darla M Romfo
President & CEO
President & COO → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$327K (2020) → $361K (2025)
Katie J Baker Demers
Executive Director New Hampshire Programs
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $195K (2025)
Margot McGinness
Co Chair
Board Member → Co Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Bonanno
Co Chair
Board Member → Co Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie M Bathelmy
Director of Scholarship Operations
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$101K (2022) → $131K (2025)
Kelly D Belmonte
Director of Donor Engagement
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $108K (2025)
Amy Popadick
Director of Strategic Partnerships
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$155K (2025)
Elizabeth Toomey
Corporate Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$137K (2020) → $168K (2025)
Michele Mitola
Vice President Strategic Planning & Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$173K (2020) → $207K (2025)
Kathleen Doran
CFO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $249K (2025)
Christopher Halpin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David E Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Chang
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Williams
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike McCurry
Board Member
Chair → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Remy Trafelet
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Fraidin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Xavier James
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Swirski
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Kevin Short (2020–2025) — Board Member · Filing note: Resigned sept 12 2024
- Former: Michael Gerstner (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Heather Vrattos (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas J Finnerty (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $361K, to Darla M Romfo (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Childrens Scholarship Fund
How much does The Childrens Scholarship Fund give each year?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund gave $2.7M across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 16 grants.
What is The Childrens Scholarship Fund's typical grant size?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $157,106, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Childrens Scholarship Fund that year got $100K on average.
Where does The Childrens Scholarship Fund give grants?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund's top state is California, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Colorado (12%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does The Childrens Scholarship Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on The Childrens Scholarship Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Childrens Scholarship Fund's largest grantees?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund's largest 2025 grantees include The Basic Fund ($768,318), Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia ($300,000) and The BISON Children's Scholarship Fund Inc ($285,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Childrens Scholarship Fund?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund reported $64.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $31.7M.
What does The Childrens Scholarship Fund fund?
CSF’s mission is to empower families by providing children in need with scholarships and supporting expanded educational opportunities for all children. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Childrens Scholarship Fund?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check scholarshipfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Childrens Scholarship Fund's EIN?
The Childrens Scholarship Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4002189. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Childrens Scholarship Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-childrens-scholarship-fund-morg_2a3c0abee03e4e31a975b1dc6556e232
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_134002189_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Childrens Scholarship Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-childrens-scholarship-fund-morg_2a3c0abee03e4e31a975b1dc6556e232},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 The Childrens Scholarship 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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