We work with communities looking for significant and sustainable sources of additional public funding in the following areas: 

1. Local options for generating and dedicating public tax revenue: We conduct legal and policy research into the options counties and cities can use to raise and allocate new or existing local taxes to create new sources of dedicated funding to support children and youth.
2. State options for generating public revenue: We collaborate with state leaders, advocates, and our research partners to identify potential sources of untapped public revenue at the state level that could be allocated to serve children and youth. Research includes revenue estimation and contextual information to evaluate options based on different priority criteria.
3. Emerging funding strategies: Our team has investigated and documented examples of nontax funding sources with high potential to support children and youth services from all across the country, drawing inspiration both from child advocates and from other fields and areas, such as municipal economic development. We collaborate with local leaders and advocates to understand their economic context and recommend creative sources of funding that could help fill funding gaps. Examples of these sources include payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT), community benefits agreements, profits from publicly held assets, local budget advocacy, and social media lawsuits, among others.
4. Voter-approved children’s funds: Some local entities have the ability to create dedicated sources of funding for kids by establishing voter-approved children’s funds through ballot measures. Communities interested in pursuing this specific source of additional funding can learn more about how we support these funds on our voter-approved children’s funds page.