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Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Pomona, CA

The Pomona Kids First Initiative was created by young people as part of a youth-led movement to secure increased and sustained funding for children, youth, and families in the city of Pomona, CA.
Photo credit: Pomona Kids First

Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Pomona, CA

Name of Fund: Pomona Kids First Initiative: The Pomona Fund for Children and Youth

Percent of Locality’s Children in Poverty: 15.7% (2024 U.S. census data)

Annual Revenue: Up to $20 million, estimated revenue upon full implementation (2024, most recent year available)

Funding Mechanism:  Set-aside of 10% unrestricted general-purpose revenue (beginning with a 2% set-aside in year one, i.e., January 2025; increases to 5% in year two; then, increases over a period of six years to a 10% set-aside by fiscal year 2030–31)

Year Established: 2024

Percent of Voters Who Approved the Fund, 2024: 62.4%

Expiration Date: 2034

Fund Purpose: Comprehensive support for children, youth, and families

Children’s Funding Project thanks our partners at Pomona Kids First Initiative for their help with this profile.

Worked with Children’s Funding Project

  • Funding the Next Generation cohort member
  • Children’s Funding Project community of practice member
  • Children’s Funding Institute attendee
  • Children’s Funding Accelerator grantee

Filed under:

Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Young Adults, Advocates/Intermediaries, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Voter-Approved Children’s Funds

QUICK LINKS

Fund History and Description

Fund Purpose and Impact

Governance and Administration

Relevant Links

More Resources

Updates and Events

Fund History and Description
Photo credit: Pomona Kids First

The Pomona Kids First Initiative was created by young people as part of a youth-led movement to secure increased and sustained funding for children, youth, and families in the city of Pomona, CA. The effort was incubated by the social action nonprofit Gente Organizada following eight years of budget advocacy that fell short of transformative community investment.  In 2023, youth organizers collected more than 12,700 signatures to qualify the initiative for the November 2024 ballot. The measure proposed amending the city of Pomona charter to create the Pomona Fund for Children and Youth and dedicate a portion of the city’s unrestricted general purpose revenue to the fund.

The ballot measure passed with more than 62% of the vote. Revenue set-asides will begin in 2025 at 2%; increase to 5% the following year, and then gradually rise over six years until 10% of the city’s revenue is dedicated to the fund beginning in fiscal year 2030-2031 and extending beyond. Up to $20 million annually will be allocated to programs and services that address the needs of Pomona’s children, youth, and families.

Fund Purpose and Impact
Photo credit: Pomona Kids First

The fund will prioritize the following groups:

  • Children from birth to 12 years old
  • Youth from 13 to 17 years old
  • Disconnected and transitional-aged youth from 18 to 24 years old who are most impacted by harm, inequity, and lack of access to support

The goal is to ensure Pomona’s children and youth thrive in school, feel safe, and have access to meaningful opportunities throughout the city. The Pomona Fund for Children and Youth is authorized to support a wide range of services, including the following:

  • Child care
  • After-school programs
  • Housing assistance
  • Mental health services
  • Arts and technology programs
  • Domestic violence prevention
  • Job training and employment
  • Parent/guardian support
  • Resources for young people under threat of deportation 

Together, these investments aim to create a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for all of Pomona’s children and families. 

Governance and Administration

The Pomona Fund for Children and Youth is currently in the process of setting up its governance and administrative structures. Pomona’s Department of Children and Youth will administer the fund under the oversight of the city manager. The department’s primary responsibility is to implement the fund and ensure it achieves its stated goals. A 15-member Pomona Fund for Children and Youth Accountability Board will provide oversight, advise the department, and hire the fund’s executive director.