Tools to Support Initiatives for Financing Early Childhood Education

Child Care Innovation Through Public-Private Partnerships
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation spotlights state programs that are co-created with the private sector, including cost sharing or collaboration. 

Creating Local Dedicated Funding Streams for Kids: A Guide to Planning a Local Initiative to Fund Services for Children, Youth and their Families
Funding the Next Generation has published a guide to creating local sustainable funding for children through ballot measures. This how-to guide provides information on topics such as building a children’s budget to developing the best revenue strategy to getting on the ballot.

Innovative Financing to Expand Programming and Services So Children Can Thrive
This policy brief shines light on ten innovative methods to finance services for children and youth. Some of these methods have been successfully implemented by communities while others are strategies that should be considered as we look to use all the tools available to prepare America’s youth for the future.

Funding our Future: Generating State and Local Tax Revenue for Quality Early Care and Education
A report released by the BUILD Initiative provides early childhood leaders with funding strategies for increasing the revenue from state and local sources that can be directed to high-quality early care and education.

Innovative Financing to Expand Services so Children Can Thrive
The Children’s Fund Project and the Education Redesign Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education release a policy brief that highlights ten innovative methods to finance services for children and youth. Some of these methods have been successfully implemented by communities while others are strategies to be considered.

Ten Questions Local Policymakers Should Ask About Expanding Access to Preschool
A report from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) summarizes key findings from a study looking at local preschool initiatives in 10 cities across the U.S. The report identifies ten questions, which any city or community should consider when working to expand access to and improve the quality of preschool provided in their communities.

North Carolina Children and Youth Fiscal Map
Provides data about how North Carolina funds are targeted to specific outcomes, services, age groups and populations. The map informs decision-making and future strategic funding for children and youth.

Mecklenburg County, NC Action Plan for Early Childhood Education
The Mecklenburg County Manager created an Early Childhood Executive Committee that released a report in September of 2017 including a recommended five point plan to begin to significantly expand access to early learning programs over a six year period. This is a good example of a roadmap for local governments to create a strategic plan.

Funding Sources for Early Care and Education in North Carolina
This provides an overview of the funding sources that support the early childhood education system in North Carolina. Funding varies by source and in the way they are administered, creating a complex patchwork of funding, programs, goals, and requirements. 

The Children’s Funding Project Resource Library
Includes information on federal funding streams, local and state dedicated funds for children and youth, as well as details about voter-approved funding.