Children's Scholarship Fund
Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF) is a national nonprofit founded in 1998 by Ted Forstmann and John Walton. It funds partial private school scholarships directly in New York through CSF New York, runs CSF Massachusetts and CSF New Hampshire under its own 501(c)(3), and gives matching grants to a network of independent partner scholarship organizations in about 21 states. CSF reports more than $1.23 billion in scholarships to over 224,000 children. CSF New York's average award in 2025–26 was $2,757, and families contribute at least 25% of tuition.
- Private scholarship fund
- Tax-credit scholarship organization
For families
Awards are partial and based on income, household size and tuition. New families apply through a participating school; returning families renew each spring. Check scholarshipfund.org/apply for the partner that covers your area.
For donors
CSF says 100% of donations fund scholarships. It publishes guidance on the federal scholarship tax credit that starts January 1, 2027.
About Children's Scholarship Fund
- States served
- New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
- Who it serves
- Low-income families sending children to participating private schools. CSF New York covers New York City plus Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties; CSF Massachusetts serves K–8 students statewide.
- Programs
- CSF New York scholarships; CSF Massachusetts K-8 scholarships; CSF New Hampshire (Education Tax Credit and Education Freedom Accounts)
- Last checked
- Oct 13, 2026
Profile compiled from the organization’s site and official state lists. Each SGO sets its own rules and decides every application.
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