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 by exploring this map. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Nationwide Explore our chart detailing the type, amount, and purpose of more than 50 voter-approved children's funds across the country. 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: 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: 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: 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. Publication 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. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Sonoma County, CA The Sonoma County Child Care & Children’s Health Initiative dedicates 60% of its revenue to strengthening the child care system for children from birth through 5 years old. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: San Miguel County, CO Strong Start was created to ensure that all children from birth to kindergarten have access to high-quality, affordable early childhood care and education in San Miguel County, CO. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Escambia County, FL The Escambia Children’s Trust aims to improve outcomes for children and youth by funding early learning, development services, health care, out-of-school programs, mental health programs, and family support services. More Resources 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 Collection Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Learn more about voter-approved children’s funds—state or local tax revenue dedicated to children’s services by voters via a ballot measure. Updates and Events Insights May 12, 2026 Five Ways to Put Your Fiscal Map into Action Insights April 27, 2026 With Federal and State Funding Hanging in the Balance, Local Leaders Find New Ways to Support Children and Youth News March 26, 2026 In a Tough Fiscal Moment, States Look to Raise Revenue and Kids Have a Stake Close Share it! 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Map Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Across the Country Learn about the more than 50 voter-approved children's funds nationwide by exploring this map.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Nationwide Explore our chart detailing the type, amount, and purpose of more than 50 voter-approved children's funds across the country.
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: 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: 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: 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.
Publication 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.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Sonoma County, CA The Sonoma County Child Care & Children’s Health Initiative dedicates 60% of its revenue to strengthening the child care system for children from birth through 5 years old.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: San Miguel County, CO Strong Start was created to ensure that all children from birth to kindergarten have access to high-quality, affordable early childhood care and education in San Miguel County, CO.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Escambia County, FL The Escambia Children’s Trust aims to improve outcomes for children and youth by funding early learning, development services, health care, out-of-school programs, mental health programs, and family support services.
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
Collection Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Learn more about voter-approved children’s funds—state or local tax revenue dedicated to children’s services by voters via a ballot measure.
Insights April 27, 2026 With Federal and State Funding Hanging in the Balance, Local Leaders Find New Ways to Support Children and Youth