• Children’s Scholarship Fund (CSF) was launched nationally in 1998 by philanthropists John Walton and Ted Forstmann, each of whom contributed $50 million in start-up funds. There are 38 different CSF affiliates around the country.

• In establishing CSF Baltimore, local supporters matched a $1 million challenge grant from CSF.

• Initial CSFB funders were the Goldseker, Erickson, France-Merrick, and Abell Foundations, and Legg Mason, Inc.

• Initially, for about 450 scholarships available, CSF Baltimore received applications on behalf of 21,145 children, an estimated 44% of the income-eligible Baltimore population. 

CSF Baltimore Today

• Awards about $1million in scholarships each year;

• Is designed to help provide a quality K-8 education to those students who would have no choice other than the Baltimore City public schools;

• Is the only need-based program in our city that gives lower income families tuition assistance for their children to attend the school of their choice;

• Has a waiting list of 2000 families.

• All scholarship donations are matched one for one.

• As more funds become available, more children are awarded scholarships.

• Admission is by family: if one sibling wins a scholarship, all do.

• Families are selected from the waiting list at random.

• Parents may choose any legally operating school.

• There are more than 200 independent schools in and around Baltimore.

• Parents choose the school, apply and make sure their children meet the requirements. 

• CSF Baltimore bypasses politics and bureaucracy.

• CSF Baltimore helps parents take charge of their children’s education.

Our fundraising to support these children through eighth grade is ongoing.  If you would like to contribute, please click here (thanks and welcome to the team!).