Payton Christopherson - Children's Funding Project

About
Our Work
- Learn About Our WorkThrough strategic public financing we help communities, states, and Native nations ensure that all children thrive.
- Strategic Public FinancingWe develop strategic public financing plans that sustain investments for kids.
- Sourcing Additional FundingWe help leaders determine which funding options are viable in their context.
- Fiscal MappingWe analyze existing funding sources and coach local leaders on budget data.
- Voter-Approved Children’s FundsWe help communities pursue dedicated public funding for kids at the ballot.
- Cost Analysis and ModelingWe identify the true cost of services to help communities reach their goals.
- Native Children’s Funding ProjectWe help Native nations create sustainable funding for Native children and youth.
Impact
Resources
- View Our Resource LibraryVisit our resource library to explore all our tools, case studies, fact sheets, and custom resource collections.
- Featured Resources
- New Resources
Updates
Events

About
Our Work
- Learn About Our WorkThrough strategic public financing we help communities, states, and Native nations ensure that all children thrive.
- Strategic Public FinancingWe develop strategic public financing plans that sustain investments for kids.
- Sourcing Additional FundingWe help leaders determine which funding options are viable in their context.
- Fiscal MappingWe analyze existing funding sources and coach local leaders on budget data.
- Voter-Approved Children’s FundsWe help communities pursue dedicated public funding for kids at the ballot.
- Cost Analysis and ModelingWe identify the true cost of services to help communities reach their goals.
- Native Children’s Funding ProjectWe help Native nations create sustainable funding for Native children and youth.
Impact
Resources
- View Our Resource LibraryVisit our resource library to explore all our tools, case studies, fact sheets, and custom resource collections.
- Featured Resources
- New Resources
Updates
Events

Payton joined Children’s Funding Project in February of 2026 as the Tribal Funding Associate.
Payton is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation and a descendant of the Hunkpapa Lakota. He grew up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, where he still lives today.

Before joining Children’s Funding Project, Payton worked as a Tribal Relations Planner for the Minnesota Department of Revenue and as a Cultural Interpreter for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. In his free time, Payton enjoys traveling to new places and spending time out in nature with his wife.