Voter-Approved Children’s Fund ProfilesA voter-approved children’s fund refers to local public revenue that is dedicated to children’s services in an election by the voters. Dedicating funding via a ballot measure creates a stream of sustained funding that cannot be cut or reassigned to a different purpose during annual budget processes. This allows children’s funds to focus on long-term impacts and to build a resilient and diverse network of programs and providers. Currently, there are more than 50 funds nationwide that together generate more than $2 billion annually for children and youth. Learn more about the purpose, history, and governance of these funds—and the impact they have in their local communities—in the profiles below.Filed under:Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Young Adults, Advocates/Intermediaries, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Collection, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsResources Map Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Across the Country Learn about the more than 50 voter-approved children's funds nationwide. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Whatcom County, WA The Healthy Children’s Fund invests about $10 million a year to increase access to quality early education and care, improve kindergarten readiness, and support vulnerable children in Whatcom County, WA. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Travis County, TX Raising Travis County supports child care slots for babies and toddlers from households with low income, and after-school and summer school slots for elementary school-age children. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Jackson, MO In 2024, the Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County, MO, received additional funding to support multiple services that promote mental health and social-emotional well-being for children and youth under age 19. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: New Orleans, LA The Early Childhood Education Millage funds the City Seats program in New Orleans and has expanded access to publicly funded care for children ages 0-3 who are from families with low income. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Baltimore, MD The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund invests in community-rooted, youth-centered organizations, particularly those historically excluded from traditional philanthropy, to ensure that all Baltimore youth can live, thrive, and lead. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Seattle, WA The Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy was designed to invest $638 million over seven years to child care and preschool, K-12 college and career readiness, and postsecondary access. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Preschool Promise supports quality preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, increases wages for early childhood educators, and ensures that preschool instruction meets high standards. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Multnomah County, OR The purpose of Preschool for All is to create a universal, high-quality, and equitable preschool system for all 3- and 4-year-old children in Multnomah County by 2030. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Miami-Dade County, FL The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County invests in a wide range of programs focused on early childhood education, health, after-school and summer youth programs, family and parenting support, and continuous learning and quality improvement. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: San Antonio, TX Pre-K 4 SA is a citywide early childhood and family initiative dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, full-day preschool for San Antonio’s 3- and 4-year-olds, with a focus on children from families who have low incomes. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Broward County, FL The Children's Services Council of Broward County funds and supports a wide range of programs focused on early childhood education, literacy, health, child abuse prevention, and out-of-school time. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Denver, CO Denver Preschool Program is available to all Denver 4-year-olds in their last year of preschool before kindergarten and qualifying 3-year-olds, with priority given to families experiencing financial hardships. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: King County, WA Best Starts for Kids provides comprehensive support from prenatal development through young adulthood to ensure that every child raised in King County grows up happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. More Resources Map Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Across the Country Learn about the more than 50 voter-approved children's funds nationwide. Publication Last Vote to First Dollar Toolkit An implementation toolkit to help leaders of new voter-approved children's funds set their funds up for success Updates and Events Interview February 25, 2026 King County, WA, Keeps Community at the Center with Best Starts for Kids News February 11, 2026 States Push for Dedicated Funds for Children and Youth in Response to Federal Funding Challenges Insights January 14, 2026 A New Year of Standing Together for Children and Youth Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Map Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Across the Country Learn about the more than 50 voter-approved children's funds nationwide.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Whatcom County, WA The Healthy Children’s Fund invests about $10 million a year to increase access to quality early education and care, improve kindergarten readiness, and support vulnerable children in Whatcom County, WA.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Travis County, TX Raising Travis County supports child care slots for babies and toddlers from households with low income, and after-school and summer school slots for elementary school-age children.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Jackson, MO In 2024, the Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County, MO, received additional funding to support multiple services that promote mental health and social-emotional well-being for children and youth under age 19.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: New Orleans, LA The Early Childhood Education Millage funds the City Seats program in New Orleans and has expanded access to publicly funded care for children ages 0-3 who are from families with low income.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Baltimore, MD The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund invests in community-rooted, youth-centered organizations, particularly those historically excluded from traditional philanthropy, to ensure that all Baltimore youth can live, thrive, and lead.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Seattle, WA The Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy was designed to invest $638 million over seven years to child care and preschool, K-12 college and career readiness, and postsecondary access.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Preschool Promise supports quality preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, increases wages for early childhood educators, and ensures that preschool instruction meets high standards.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Multnomah County, OR The purpose of Preschool for All is to create a universal, high-quality, and equitable preschool system for all 3- and 4-year-old children in Multnomah County by 2030.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Miami-Dade County, FL The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County invests in a wide range of programs focused on early childhood education, health, after-school and summer youth programs, family and parenting support, and continuous learning and quality improvement.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: San Antonio, TX Pre-K 4 SA is a citywide early childhood and family initiative dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, full-day preschool for San Antonio’s 3- and 4-year-olds, with a focus on children from families who have low incomes.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Broward County, FL The Children's Services Council of Broward County funds and supports a wide range of programs focused on early childhood education, literacy, health, child abuse prevention, and out-of-school time.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Denver, CO Denver Preschool Program is available to all Denver 4-year-olds in their last year of preschool before kindergarten and qualifying 3-year-olds, with priority given to families experiencing financial hardships.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: King County, WA Best Starts for Kids provides comprehensive support from prenatal development through young adulthood to ensure that every child raised in King County grows up happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.
Map Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Across the Country Learn about the more than 50 voter-approved children's funds nationwide.
Publication Last Vote to First Dollar Toolkit An implementation toolkit to help leaders of new voter-approved children's funds set their funds up for success
News February 11, 2026 States Push for Dedicated Funds for Children and Youth in Response to Federal Funding Challenges