Foundation For Child Development

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Data not publicly available (recent grant announcements total $1.93 million in 2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only grantmaking)
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: $30,000 - $500,000
• Geographic Focus: National (United States), with special focus on New York City
• Founded: 1900 (originally incorporated)

Contact Details

Address:
Foundation for Child Development
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 248
New York, NY 10115

Phone: 212-867-5777
Email: info@fcd-us.org
Website: https://www.fcd-us.org

Overview

The Foundation for Child Development (FCD) is the oldest private, independent grantmaking foundation in the United States with a sustained focus on improving the well-being and development of children. Founded in 1900 and incorporated as a voluntary agency that year, the organization became a grantmaking foundation in 1944 after receiving a bequest from Milo M. Belding. Originally focused on education access for children with physical disabilities (operating as the Association for the Aid of Crippled Children from 1908-1972), the foundation transformed its mission in 1972 and now works at the nexus of research, policy, and community to advance social justice for young children. Under President and CEO Dr. Vivian Tseng's leadership since 2022, FCD centers children marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality, with a vision that "every child can thrive, and where families have the power to shape the systems that affect their lives."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking (Invitation Only)

• Range: $30,000 - $500,000
• Duration: Typically one to three years
• Focus: Research partnerships, organizing, movement-building, infrastructure and capacity-building, and strategic communications

Young Scholars Program (Currently Paused)

• Previously awarded up to $225,000 for primary data collection research
• Previously awarded up to $180,000 for secondary data analysis
• Duration: Two to three years
• Status: Paused in 2025; redesign expected with updates in 2026
• Historical focus (2015-2025): Strategies to strengthen the early care and education workforce
• Historical focus (2003-2015): Young children in immigrant families

Priority Areas

FCD's strategic framework guides funding to support:

Core Principles:

1. Center children marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality
2. Work at the nexus of research, policy, and community
3. Take a clear-eyed view of history and learn from it
4. Navigate through inclusive dialogue
5. Act with respect and care for relationships

Funding Categories:

• Research partnerships and engagement - Supporting research that informs policy and practice for young children
• Organizing and movement-building - Parent organizing groups and grassroots advocacy
• Policy advocacy - Organizations working on immigration policy, public benefits, healthcare, and child-related systems
• Infrastructure and capacity-building - Strengthening organizations serving marginalized children and families
• Strategic communications - Amplifying research and community voices to influence policy

Policy Focus Areas: The foundation's vision of child policy extends beyond traditional areas like child care and education to include policies with deep impacts on children, such as immigration, public benefits, and healthcare.

What They Don't Fund

• Direct services
• Capital campaigns and endowments
• Purchase, construction, or renovation of buildings
• Only funds non-profit organizations recognized under IRS 501(c)(3)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Dr. Vivian Tseng - President and CEO (since November 2022)

• Ph.D. from NYU, B.A. from UCLA
• Recognized for leadership in research use in policy and practice
• Previously at William T. Grant Foundation where she tripled grantmaking projects led by people of color
• Board member: Data Quality Campaign, Grantmakers for Education, Sobrato Early Academic Learning

JoAnn Hsueh - Vice President of Program and Communications

• Ph.D. in community psychology from NYU, B.A. from UC Berkeley
• Experienced in education and social policy research
• Focuses on addressing inequalities in child development

Leela van Balkom - Program Officer

Miller J. Everette - Operations Manager

Board of Directors

Officers:

• Velma McBride Murry - Chair
• Marissa Tirona - Vice Chair and Secretary
• Virginia Klein - Treasurer

Members:

• Rini Banerjee
• Alejandra Barraza
• Linda M. Burton
• Barbara Chow
• Fabienne Doucet
• Salvatore LaSpada
• Tracy Zimmerman

Leadership Insights

Dr. Vivian Tseng has stated: "I am honored to be chosen as the next President and CEO of the Foundation for Child Development, our nation's oldest philanthropy devoted to improving the lives of young children. I look forward to channeling my energy and passion to the Foundation's work to serve children, particularly those marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and poverty."

She emphasizes that "Children of color have become the majority of our child population, yet we are far from being a society that fully values them" and notes that "Our ultimate objective in learning about anything is to try to create and develop a more just society."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation for Child Development does not accept unsolicited proposals. Funding requests are extended by invitation only.

The only exception is the Young Scholars Program, which historically operated as an open competition with a two-stage application process (Letter of Inquiry followed by invited Full Applications). However, this program is currently paused for redesign with updates expected in 2026.

For the general grantmaking program, the foundation identifies potential grantees through:

• Strategic initiatives aligned with their framework
• Connections with current grantees and researchers
• Board and staff networks in the early childhood field
• Relationships with leaders in research, policy, and community organizing

Getting on Their Radar

According to Inside Philanthropy, organizations interested in FCD funding should connect with its past researchers and current officers. Specific strategies include:

• Build relationships with current grantees - FCD's current and past grant recipients can provide valuable insights and potential introductions
• Engage with FCD's network - The foundation's staff and board members are active in early childhood education research, policy, and advocacy circles
• Demonstrate alignment - Organizations should establish a strong track record in research-policy-community nexus work focused on social justice for young children
• Leverage existing connections - Research the foundation's board and staff through their website and ask your board members if they have connections

Young Scholars Program (When Active)

When the program resumes:

• Two-stage application process: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) followed by invited Full Applications
• Eligibility: Early-career researchers who received doctoral degrees within seven years of application
• IRB approval process must begin before Full Application submission (not required at LOI stage)
• Letters of recommendation only required at Full Application stage

Decision Timeline

Varies by program and strategic initiative. Recent grant announcements indicate ongoing review and award cycles throughout the year rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable for invitation-only grantmaking. The foundation operates through strategic initiatives rather than competitive application cycles.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only model. Ongoing relationships with grantees may lead to multi-year or renewed funding based on strategic alignment and impact.

Application Success Factors

Since FCD operates primarily through invitation-only grantmaking, success depends on strategic alignment and relationship-building rather than traditional application factors. However, analyzing their recent grantmaking reveals clear patterns:

Strategic Alignment is Critical:

• Organizations must demonstrate work at the nexus of research, policy, and community
• Clear focus on social justice for young children, particularly those marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality
• Commitment to elevating parent and community voices

Recent Funding Patterns (2024-2025):

Research-Policy Connections - FCD funds organizations that bridge research and policy:

• Society for Research in Child Development ($200,000) - Child Policy Hub to connect research with policy
• The Guardian ($30,000) - Journalistic research on disparities affecting young children
• Harvard Graduate School of Education ($30,000) - Protecting equity-focused faculty

Movement-Building and Advocacy - Strong emphasis on organizing and systemic change:

• CARE Fund ($500,000) - Movement-building across care policy sectors
• Center for Budget and Policy Priorities ($450,000) - State immigration project
• Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition ($300,000) - Immigrant family advocacy

Parent Organizing - Direct support for parent-led organizations:

• Five parent organizing groups received $75,000 each for general operating support (Community Change, MomsRising, United Parent Leaders Action Network, Mothering Justice, Parent Voices California)

What FCD Values:

• Systemic impact over direct services - The foundation explicitly does not fund direct services, focusing instead on research, policy, and organizing that creates broader change
• Centering marginalized voices - Organizations led by or deeply connected to communities of color and immigrant communities
• Long-term systems change - Multi-year grants supporting infrastructure and capacity-building
• Integration of research and action - Projects that combine rigorous research with policy advocacy and community organizing

Language and Framing: FCD uses specific terminology that reflects their priorities:

• "Social justice" rather than just "equity"
• "Children marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality" - explicit naming of systemic issues
• "Nexus of research, policy, and community" - integration across sectors
• "Movement-building" and "organizing" - emphasis on grassroots power

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model means relationship-building is essential - Connect with current grantees, attend conferences where FCD staff present, and build recognition in the early childhood research-policy-community space

• Demonstrate integration of research, policy, and community - FCD specifically seeks organizations working across these domains, not siloed in one area

• Center social justice and name systemic barriers - The foundation explicitly focuses on racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality; organizations should address root causes, not just symptoms

• Parent and community organizing receive significant support - Recent grants show strong investment in grassroots parent-led advocacy organizations

• Multi-year capacity building over short-term projects - FCD makes substantial investments (up to $500,000) over two to three years for infrastructure and sustained impact

• Immigration policy is a priority - Multiple recent grants support work on immigration and immigrant families, reflecting the foundation's commitment to children marginalized by xenophobia

• The only open competition (Young Scholars Program) is currently paused - Early-career researchers should check back in 2026 for program updates

References

• Foundation for Child Development official website: https://www.fcd-us.org (Accessed January 2026)
• FCD Strategic Framework: https://www.fcd-us.org/about-us/strategic-framework/ (Accessed January 2026)
• FCD Grants page: https://www.fcd-us.org/grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• FCD Current Grants: https://www.fcd-us.org/grants/current-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• FCD History: https://www.fcd-us.org/about-us/history/ (Accessed January 2026)
• FCD Leadership: https://www.fcd-us.org/about-us/staff/ and https://www.fcd-us.org/about-us/board-of-directors/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "Foundation for Child Development Awards $1.93 Million in Grants to Support Social Justice for Young Children": https://www.fcd-us.org/foundation-for-child-development-awards-1-3-million-in-new-grants-to-advance-the-well-being-of-young-children/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "A Letter From President and CEO Vivian Tseng: Advancing Social Justice for Young Children": https://www.fcd-us.org/a-letter-from-president-and-ceo-vivian-tseng-advancing-social-justice-for-young-children/ (Accessed January 2026)
• "The Foundation for Child Development Announces Dr. Vivian Tseng as its New President and CEO": https://www.fcd-us.org/new-president-and-ceo/ (Accessed January 2026)
• FCD Young Scholars Program: https://www.fcd-us.org/young-scholars-program/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Foundation for Child Development: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-f/foundation-for-child-development (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Foundation For Child Development: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131623901 (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=FOUN002 (Accessed January 2026)