Kids First Chicago: Parent Leadership Program Funding Opportunities
At Kids First Chicago (K1C), we help equip Chicago Public Schools (CPS) families and communities with the information, tools, and influence they need to support their children’s learning and co-design more equitable solutions to the challenges facing public education in Chicago. Through new partnership opportunities, you can directly invest in programs that build parents’ civic power to ensure every child has access to a world class education.
Parent Leadership Fellowship — $15,000 per fellow
Currently in its fifth cohort, the Parent Leadership Fellowship (PLF) is our signature leadership development
program that equips parents with the knowledge, skills, and networks to effect change in public education locally
and citywide. Through monthly sessions from September to June, fellows explore the history of public education,
organizing principles, and systems of community governance.
Your support covers one fellow’s full participation in the program, including a stipend, childcare, meals, and a
culminating graduation celebrating their achievement.
Parent Leadership Teams — $20,000 per team
Our Parent Leadership Teams (PLTs) organize around local education issues—from improving access to diverse
learner supports to advocating for safer school routes. We currently have 20 PLT’s, operating in 13 different
community areas. Each PLT is led by a Parent Champion and supported by 10+ local parents.
Your support will underwrite one team’s operations for a full year, skill-building training, meetings with school and
community partners, facilitation of community gatherings, creation of communications materials that share their story and amplify their work, and support for setting, tracking, and measuring progress toward team goals and outcomes.
Family-School Partnerships — $20,000 per school
Launching in the 2025–26 school year, the Family-School Partnership Pilot will pair K1C with up to eight CPS schools on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Each partnership will strengthen collaboration between parents and
school leaders to implement proven family engagement strategies that drive better outcomes for students.
Your support underwrites partnership activities at one CPS school, including outreach and trust-building, co-
development of a parent engagement strategy tailored to the school community, and the development of shared learnings to strengthen family engagement across Chicago.
Parent Advisory Board — $10,000 per member
The Parent Advisory Board (PAB) is a 35-member, citywide leadership body that ensures Kids First Chicago’s
work stays rooted in the lived experiences of CPS families. With 100% of members identifying as Black or Latine, the PAB reflects authentic community representation. Members serve as public ambassadors for Kids First Chicago and help shape our organizational priorities. Two PAB members serve on our Board of Directors.
Your support funds one PAB member’s full-year participation, including leading regular strategic planning sessions, co-facilitating Kids First Chicago’s public events, engaging and connecting with parents in their community, and serving as liaisons between the PAB and Kids First Chicago’s Board of Directors.
About
Champions for Change
Ready to step up to champion Chicago kids?
Kids First Chicago is pleased to introduce Champions for Change, a giving society for donors pledging $500 or more annually for two or more years. Levels include:
Advocate: $500 to $999
Champion: $1,000 to $4,999
Honor Roll: $5,000 to $9,999
Leadership Circle: $10,000+
Champions for Change level donors will receive VIP invites to exclusive programming and join our community of champions.
Gift and payment options
Check. Please make all checks payable to Kids First Chicago.
Stock and wire transfers. Please get in touch with Evelyn Merlos at emerlos@kidsfirstchicago.org for instructions about how to set up an electronic fund transfer or make a gift of appreciated stocks or other securities.
Kids First Chicago is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. (Tax ID Number: 83-0399727).
Learn more about our work and join our family
Please contact Evelyn Merlos, Senior Coordinator, Development & External Affairs at emerlos@kidsfirstchicago.org for information about how you and your organization can support our work. If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors or Parent Advisory Board, we’d love to hear from you.