Mission
CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND ENVISIONS A NATION WHERE MARGINALIZED CHILDREN FLOURISH, LEADERS PRIORITIZE THEIR WELL-BEING, AND COMMUNITIES WIELD THE POWER TO ENSURE THEY THRIVE.
Public Charity
CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND
Based in WASHINGTON, DC, CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND operates as a Public Charity. The organization reported $24.0M in revenue, $34.9M in expenses, $40.1M in total assets for fiscal year 2024. Imperigo tracks 343 reported grant relationships connected to this organization totaling approximately $57.8M.
EIN: 520895622
WASHINGTON, DC
Civil Rights
NTEE: R20
Latest filing: 2024
Total Revenue$24.0M
Total Expenses$34.9M
Total Assets$40.1M
Grant Records343
Funding Total$57.8M
Filing Years2020–2024
Where $100 goes at Children's Defense Fund
How Children's Defense Fund divides every $100 it spends, from its own Form 990 filings, averaged across 7 years.
$72
Programs
the work itself
$17
Management
running the organization
$11
Fundraising
raising the next dollar
Inside the $72 for programs
$27
Policy/advocacy for children
$26
Building a movement for youth
$19
Cdf freedom schools
Source: Form 990 filings with the IRS, latest fiscal year 2024. Shares are from the organization's reported expenses. Data by Imperigo; not affiliated with the IRS.
Sample Grants Received
$56,000
PROGRAM COSTS
$53,250
Pass-through grant for the Minnesota Budget Project
$10,000
GENERAL SUPPORT
$5,500
POVERTY RELIEF
$600,000
Showing up to 5 of 343 total records — full history available with membership.
Officers & Directors
CONTROLLER TO OCTOBER 2024
Alta Riggs
NATL DIR, MVMT BUILDING & PROGRAMS
Cheryl Cook-Posley
SECRETARY
Deborah Jewell-Sherman
CHAIR
Don Darius Butler
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Kathleen Flynn
NATIONAL DIRECTOR FREEDOM SCHOOLS
Kristal Clemons
Officer compensation and complete director data available with membership.
Top Grant Purposes
Financial Trends
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24.0M | $34.9M | $40.1M |
| 2023 | $23.5M | $34.3M | $57.6M |
| 2022 | $17.5M | $28.3M | $54.3M |
| 2021 | $12.6M | $5.1M | $63.3M |
| 2020 | $20.4M | $20.0M | $32.0M |
Between 2020 and 2024, reported annual revenue grew from $20.4M to $24.0M (+17%), with total assets most recently reported at $40.1M.
Interactive year-over-year charts and full filing details available with membership.