Children’s social and emotional well-being is shaped long before challenges turn into crises. It is shaped by the systems around them—schools, community spaces, families, and the organizations that show up every day to support them.

Over the past 25 years, we’ve learned alongside our partners that children do better when those organizations are strong, stable, and rooted in community. When organizations are stretched thin or forced to focus only on short-term needs, it becomes harder to address root causes and create lasting change.

That’s why, in 2026, we are directing half of our grantmaking toward flexible funding. This approach provides unrestricted, multi-year support so trusted partners can strengthen their organizations, respond to changing community needs, and focus on long-term solutions. Flexible funding supports systems change by improving the policies, practices, and conditions that shape children’s lives—rather than placing responsibility on individuals or families.

We are beginning this shift by providing two years of flexible funding to five long-standing partners whose leadership and vision closely align with our mission. Together, they reflect what it looks like to support children’s social and emotional well-being through equity, culture, and community trust.

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Black SEL Powered By Danger of the Mind Fund

Black SEL centers the social and emotional well-being of Black children and communities through culturally affirming practices rooted in ancestral wisdom. Their approach recognizes that social-emotional learning has long existed in Black communities and builds spaces for healing, leadership, and collective well-being. Black SEL equips educators, families, and practitioners to support critical consciousness, belonging, and liberation beyond the classroom.

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Barbershop Therapy Foundation

Barbershop Therapy transforms barbershops into trusted spaces for mental health support in historically marginalized communities. By training barbers to serve as mental health advocates and providing youth with haircut vouchers, the organization helps reduce stigma and connect families with vital resources. Their model meets people where they are—through care, conversation, and community trust.

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The Resiliency Collaborative

The Resiliency Collaborative partners with youth and families to strengthen resilience, leadership, and well-being in under-resourced communities. Through academic support, mental health resources, and youth-led programs, they create spaces where young people are seen, supported, and empowered to lead. Their approach helps youth build confidence and prepare for their next steps—whether college, career, or community leadership.

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Education Justice Alliance

Education Justice Alliance works to dismantle the school-to-prison and school-to-deportation pipelines and advance educational equity for all students. Centering Black, Brown, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and families, EJA promotes relationship-based schools that prevent harm, repair trauma, and prioritize healing over punishment. Their efforts strengthen school systems so students can learn in safe, supportive environments.

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TheGifted Arts

TheGifted Arts provides high-quality, culturally responsive arts education that builds skill, confidence, and self-expression among Black and Brown youth. Through dance, music, theater, spoken word, and visual arts, young people develop both technical ability and a strong sense of identity. Their work expands access to the arts while challenging inequities in creative spaces and the broader arts ecosystem.

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Together, these partners show what becomes possible when organizations have the stability and trust they need to lead. While we are starting with a focused group, we know many partners across our network are doing important work to support children and families. As we continue to learn what flexible funding enables, we anticipate expanding this approach in future years through relationship-based selection.

This approach reflects our long-term vision: strengthening the systems around children, addressing root causes of inequity, and working alongside community in clear, responsible, and lasting partnership. We look forward to continuing to learn alongside our partners and community through shared dialogue and reflection.