Stand for Children: Building an Effective Grassroots Voice for Children
While there are strong groups advocating on behalf of children at the national level, similar voices rarely can be found at the state and local level where key decisions about education and other child-related programs are made. As a consequence, the needs of children may receive short shrift in the competition for limited public dollars. Stand for Children was created to alter that equation by mobilizing and supporting citizens to press for action by their elected and appointed officials to assure "every child a fair chance in life." This was an idea that clearly was compatible with the Annie E. Casey Foundation's fundamental mission and objectives, but in backing Stand for Children the Foundation also was "betting" on its founder, Jonah Edelman, who even at a very young age appeared to be a strong leader with determination and a clear vision. By providing modest but ongoing support over the life of the organization, the Foundation has helped Stand for Children build a solid record of achievement that affirms that this "bet" was an excellent one.
- Stand for Children takes credit only when it has played a decisive role in an outcome. Applying that standard, the organization estimates that 2.7 million children have benefited from the victories it has realized since its founding in 1999.
- Many of Stand for Children's victories not only translate into dollars, but also represent the preservation or adoption of policies and practices that can have a significant effect on children's well-being and success. The organization's strategic approach to expansion suggests that its influence at the local, state, and national levels will grow over time. With a rare combination of passion, pragmatism, and professionalism, Stand for Children also offers an important model for the nonprofit sector, demonstrating the value of combining a deep concern for children with hard-nosed management.
- Stand for Children has received just over $15 million in grants and contributions since it was founded in 1999. Over that same period, it has won more than eighty state and local victories that resulted in more than $1.7 billion in public funding for schools and other children’s programs – a return of more than $114 for every dollar donated.
For more information, read the full Stand for Children Program Profile, which includes background on the program, why this was of interest to the Casey Foundation, and our return on investment. Also see Jonah Edelman, executive director of Stand for Children, and Deloris Moss, volunteer and activist, discuss the program In Their Own Words.
Contact:
Stand for Children
www.stand.org