Foundation for Child Development

These stories of resistance in all its forms, grassroots, institutional, personal, cultural & of hope that emerges not from naive optimism but from the daily choice to act, build, push back, or hold the line.

The SPARKS series will showcase individuals and organizations who are courageously carrying out acts of resistance to support these children and their families.
Each story is one of agency: how individuals or communities recognized an urgent call and responded.

One in four of our country’s children live in immigrant families. They face grave threats, from heightened discrimination and family separation to efforts to deny access to healthcare, public education, due process, and birthright citizenship.

📣 New Blog Launch: Stories of Power, Agency, Resilience, and Kinship

www.fcd-us.org/sparkblogint...

Our Strategic Framework In 2023, the Foundation for Child Development began a journey to reimagine our role as a social justice funder for young children. Our work is guided by

Learn more about our new framework and join us in building a just, inclusive future for all children.
www.fcd-us.org/about-us/str...

This is the future of our nation: diverse and full of potential. While our work to support them is emergent, our commitment is steadfast: every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Who are today’s children?
➖ 1 in 2 are children of color
➖ 1 in 4 live in immigrant families
➖ 1 in 8 live in poverty

by confronting racism, xenophobia, and inequality while working alongside communities, researchers, advocates, and fellow funders.

At the Foundation for Child Development, we believe this is not just a season of challenge but also one of possibility. As reflected in our new Strategic Framework, we are committed to advancing social justice for young children...

Reimagining Child Policy Through a Social Justice Lens

Across sectors, we see researchers, advocates, litigators, and funders stepping up: protecting access to programs like Head Start, sounding the alarm on harmful policy shifts, and strengthening civil society.

Plane to purgatory: how Trump’s deportation program shuttles immigrants into lawless limbo 44,000 immigrants, 1,700 flights, 100 days: a Guardian investigation of leaked flight data and government detention data reveals the inhumane journey of immigrants shuttled around and outside the US

The Trump Administration's deportation efforts are inhumane and cruel. The Guardian reports that GlobalX facilitated 1,700 deportation flights. Nearly 1,000 children were on these flights including 500 kids under the age of 10 and 22 infants.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

To Support Civil Society, 4 Traps for Foundation Leaders to Escape Two foundation leaders discuss the pitfalls grantmakers can encounter as the nonprofit sector faces “unprecedented political pressure.”

In moments like these, foundations must decide: will we retreat into caution, or step forward to protect our partners and the communities they serve?

Read here: www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/to-supp...

Philanthropy is being tested.

Civil society organizations, including those advancing children’s rights, science, democracy, climate action, immigration, racial justice, are facing grave threats.

Read here: drive.google.com/file/d/1SIs0...

For those committed to equity, the call is clear: protect the vulnerable, reject racism, and fight for justice, no matter the political cost.

Strong democratic guardrails eventually helped secure civil rights gains, but today those guardrails are under attack. Court orders are ignored, judges are threatened, and Congress fails to check executive power. Experts warn of a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism.

A recent AJPH editorial by public health researchers —including FCD board chair, Velma McBride Murry, PhD, Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, Marshall H. Chin, MD, MPH, and Gilbert C. Gee, PhD warns that today’s political climate mirrors the Jim Crow Era, when racism touched nearly every institution.

History shows progress comes only through organized, collective action. In 2025, too many institutions will have faced threats alone, missing the power of united movements. Without that coordination, inequities will deepen and lives will be lost.

Children’s Advocates Outraged by Trump Administration’s Attempt to Deport Children in Need of Safety - Children Thrive Action Network FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS:  Melissa Stek, Communications Consultant, melissa@mountgem.com  Tom Salyers, Director of Communications, tsalyers@clasp.org   Washington, DC, September 2, 2025—Me...

CTAN is outraged by the Trump Admin's attempt to forcibly remove dozens of immigrant kids over the holiday weekend.Read our statement and our partners' statements below: childrenthriveaction.org/2025/09/chil...
@clasp.org

This summit will explore:

🔹 How immigration policies are affecting children and families today
🔹 Ways to center children in advocacy, messaging, and action
🔹 Community-led responses across states to support immigrant well-being
This virtual event is free and open to all. I hope you’ll join us.

IMMIGRANTS MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES BLOOM

Immigrants make our communities stronger, more vibrant, and joyful. 🌿🩷

60 years of Medicaid: The next chapter is up to us • Michigan Advance Sixty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, promising that in America, access to healthcare would not depend on the size of a person’s bank account. In th...

Read here: michiganadvance.com/2025/07/30/6...

Check out this insightful OpEd from Mothering Justice on the critical need to fight for Medicaid so that we protect the one in five Americans who rely on this healthcare. Protecting this lifeline means standing up for children, families, seniors, and communities who depend on it every day.

Now is When Nonprofits Need Philanthropy the Most: Five Ways Funders Can Step Up | The Center for Effective Philanthropy Foundation leaders offer insights into how funders can respond quickly and bravely to support nonprofits and communities in a needful moment.

as they share examples from their own work and emphasize the risk of inaction.

Read here: cep.org/blog/now-is-...

#grantmaking #funders #childpoverty #leaders #philanthropy #nonprofits #challengingtimes #stateofnonprofits #funding #support #community

Hear from Vivian Tseng of Foundation for Child Development, Philip Li of Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Monica Munn of World Education Services, Rickke Mananzala of New York Foundation, Mike Pratt of Scherman Foundation, and Julia Bator of J.M. Kaplan Fund

NEW Blog Post: Now is When Nonprofits Need Philanthropy the Most: Five Ways Funders Can Step Up

Philanthropy must match the urgency of the moment and the bravery of nonprofit partners who are on the streets, inside detention centers, and struggling to serve communities.

See the full job details here: www.fcd-us.org/join-our-lea...

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a small but mighty foundation with national influence. We look forward to hearing from you! Please share with your networks.

The COO will serve as a key partner to the President, leading finance, human resources, IT, grants management, and administration. This leader will modernize infrastructure, strengthen internal systems, and play a central role in advancing FCD’s bold social justice commitments to young children.

With a 125-year legacy and a strong voice for equity for children, FCD is entering a dynamic new chapter under visionary leadership.

The Foundation for Child Development (FCD) is seeking a mission-driven, strategic, and collaborative strong Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its executive leadership team in New York City.