American Federation for Children Growth Fund
The American Federation for Children Growth Fund (AFCGF), which originally referred to itself as the Alliance for School Choice, is the largest organization in the United States promoting school choice programs. AFCGF supports the creation and expansion of school voucher, corporate tax credit, and other school choice programs. The organization is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and receives its funding through private individual and foundation donations.[2]
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004  |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
Area served | North America |
Key people | William Oberndorf, chairman[1] |
| Website | afcgrowthfund |
William Oberndorf is the chair of the AFCGF board, as of 2023, and Tommy Schultz is the organization's CEO.[3]
History
editAFGG, under its original name the Alliance for School Choice, was launched on May 17, 2004, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The formation of the Alliance for School Choice represented the merger of three organizations: the American Education Reform Council, Children First America, and the American Education Reform Foundation.
Clint Bolick was appointed as the Alliance's first president in 2004. Bolick resigned his position at the Alliance in 2007 to take a new post at the Arizona-based Goldwater Institute. Charles R. Hokanson Jr., a former official at the U.S. Department of Education, served as the organization's president from 2007-2008.[4][5][6]
Activities
editAFCGF has several initiatives, including Black Minds Matter, a national movement to celebrate Black minds, support excellence, and promote the development of high-quality school options for Black students.[7] They encourage and empower elected officials, community members and families to be innovative, demand excellence in education, and increase the number of schools founded by Black individuals. Black owned school directory is the first-ever online directory to promote schools founded by African Americans.[8]
La Federación Americana para Los Niños is a project that focuses on outreach to Hispanic families.[9]
AFC's Future Leaders Fellowship is designed to identify and develop new leaders in the educational choice movement. It is a twelve-month advocacy training program for graduates of publicly created K-12 school choice programs.
Activities
editAFCG shares offices, staff and resources with the American Federation for Children (once called "Advocates for School Choice") which is a 501(c)(4) organization[10] that promotes school choice programs.
AFCGF activities include assisting affiliate organizations in states, hosting informational events, working with parent activists and community leaders to enact and implement state programs, and publishing two magazines, the School Choice Digest and the Activist. The Alliance has also engaged in litigation efforts.[11][12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "AFCG "about us" page".
- ^ "Hispanic Support for School Choice Is High - by Jim Waters". The Heartland Institute. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Staff of the American Federation for Children Growth Fund
- ^ "U.S. education secretary promotes tutoring, transfer rights". sfgate.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2006. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Dillon, Sam (2005-07-13). "For Parents Seeking a Choice, Charter Schools Prove More Popular Than Vouchers". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ "Voucher supporters look to new ally". USA TODAY. 2006-03-22. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Onyeneho, Laura (November 10, 2023). "Black Minds Matter founder champions Texas School Choice". texasmetronews.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Subach, Kara (14 August 2023). "Denisha Allen (Merriweather) on Why Black Minds Matter". Philanthropy Roundtable. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Gurr, Valeria (2 October 2023). "You want Latino votes? Improve our children's education". The Hill. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Advocates for School Choice". Archived from the original on 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Phone campaign blasts Napolitano". East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ "State: Voucher battle heads to court". www.sptimes.com. Retrieved 2008-01-08.