The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® program partners with organizations to sponsor high-quality comprehensive programming for children and families in local communities across the country. Sponsor organizations are responsible for securing the financial resources to operate program sites at no cost to families and paying fees to CDF to offset program costs.

SPONSOR ORGANIZATIONS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS TO BE ACCEPTED AS A CDF FREEDOM SCHOOLS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM SPONSOR:

Successful operation of a CDF Freedom Schools summer program in previous year(s)
Be in good financial and information intake standing with CDF Freedom Schools National Team
Identify a Site Coordinator and enough Servant Leader Interns, ideally all with previous CDF Freedom Schools experience, to work in the after-school program to maintain the 10:1 child to Servant Leader Intern ratio. Confirm that all Site Coordinators and Servant Leader Interns are available to work on a regular after-school schedule each week (days generally last from 3:00 – 6:00pm).
Confirm that all of your Servant Leader Interns must participate in the CDF Freedom Schools Training. For information and questions about content please contact Tara McCoy by email at tmccoy@childrensdefense.org. For information and questions about accessing training please contact Erica Fields by email at efields@childrensdefense.org.
Identify a partnership with a school and/or school district and submit letter of support from school administrator.
Make full payment for any additional scholars to be served and accompanying books needed as soon as possible. For increases to number of scholars to be served please contact Janet Canada for invoicing by email at jcanada@childrensdefense.org.
Provide proof of your organization’s current state license to serve children, if applicable.
Confirm ability to host virtual programming (including technology access plan for families, plans for implementation of program model, etc.)
Provide proof that the site where your organization will house its in-person program has met applicable state and/or local health and safety standards and regulations (i.e. health department certificate, occupancy certificate, etc.), if not on file.

Onboarding materials for all accepted sponsor organizations are due within one week of receiving your official acceptance letter. Onboarding materials include a signed Licensing Agreement, a completed After School Information Form, and a copy of your organization’s current general liability insurance.

Section I: Applicant Information

Name of Sponsor Organization

Sponsor organization street address

City

State

Zip Code

Website

Select the option that best describes your organization type

What year(s) has this Sponsor Organization participated in CDF Freedom Schools (check all that apply):

Summer 2018Summer 2019Summer 2020Summer 2021

Contact 1 - CDF Freedom Schools Executive Director

This person will fulfill the responsibilities as outlined in the official position description and is required to attend orientation and training meetings as indicated on the training schedule.

First Name

Last Name

Email

Alternate Email

Work Phone

Mobile Phone

Home Phone

Birthdate

Gender

Preferred Pronoun

Home street address

City

State

Zip Code

Section II: Financial Resources and Capacity

To operate an after-school program in 2021-2022, the fees due to CDF are $285.00/scholar (child) served, or $14,250 for 50 scholars. This covers curriculum books and materials, program evaluation, and training materials for all staff.

We estimate that an organization serving 50 scholars at one site should budget approximately $64,000, for staff salaries, travel for mandatory trainings, and program supplies.

Does your organization have the capacity to make this financial commitment?

Additional Funding Considerations for your CDF Freedom School Program

Please describe how you will fund any additional costs related your CDF Freedom Schools After-School program. Is this funding pending or committed? Please provide the names and funding levels of those funders who have committed resources to your After-School program.

Name of Funder

Example: Malok Community Organization

Reason(s)

Laptops and Tablets Needed

Amount

$5000

Pending or Committed?

Committed (July 7, 2020)

If you have more than one additional funder, click "Add another response" below.

Budget

Complete a 2021-22 estimated budget worksheet.

Click here to download the file (click the download arrow at the top right of the link page). Then save it to your desktop to complete it.

Upload your completed budget worksheet here

Section III: Program Information

In how many physical sites (buildings) will the after-school program be housed in 2021-2022?

Must be a number value

Will your site(s) occupy the same facility as in summer 2021 (if applicable)?

In how many virtual sites will the after-school program be operating in

2021-2022

Must be a number value

Will your site(s) host the same virtual sites as in summer 2021 (if applicable)?

Total number of scholars your organization plans to serve across all sites

Must be a number value

Projected Program Start Date

Projected Program End Date

Identify community resources and organizations you plan to partner with to support the operation of your CDF Freedom Schools program this summer. Describe how these partnerships will specifically support your site, for example: partnering with the local free library for weekly community field trips and partnering with local community recreation center to utilize the community pool for weekly swimming.

Tip: Consider the partnerships necessary to provide afternoon activities, field trips, parent workshops, and snacks for the scholars.

File Uploads

License to Serve Children

Virtual Programming Plan

Proof that site is certified to host children

Section IV: Signature

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, all information in the enclosed application is true and correct. I agree to comply fully with these responsibilities as the Sponsor of an After-School Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program for the school year 2021-2022.