September 17, 2025 State Strategies for Sustained Investment in Kids: A Landscape of Dedicated Funding
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Portland, OR The Portland Children’s Levy was created to invest in proven, cost-effective strategies that strengthen children’s well-being and long-term success.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Alachua County, FL The Children’s Trust of Alachua County funds a coordinated system of community services designed to help children and youth from birth to age 18 and their families thrive.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Lincoln County, MO Lincoln County Community Children’s Services Fund supports a comprehensive system of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs for children and youth from birth to age 19.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Kent County, MI The Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage funds a comprehensive network of services designed to improve health, development, and school readiness for children from birth through 5 years old.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Franklin County, MO The Franklin County Children’s Services Fund was created as a dedicated fund to support mental and behavioral health services for children and youth younger than age 19.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Martin County, FL The Children’s Services Council of Martin County was established to enhance the well-being of children and families in Martin County by funding programs that promote health, family stability, safety, and learning.
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 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: 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: 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.
Collection Federal Funding Resources Learn more about how federal funding supports programs and services for children and youth.
Video Fund IRL: Turn Social Media Accountability into Youth Opportunity Learn how our national coalition, Fund IRL, is working to ensure that any payouts from social media lawsuits fund the programs that help young people thrive.
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: 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: 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: 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.
Video King County, WA, Keeps Community at the Center with Best Starts for Kids Our interview with Sheila Ater Capestany highlights her work implementing Best Starts for Kids, a voter-approved children's fund in King County, WA, that has served more than 500,000 children, youth, young adults, and families since its inception.
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.