A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Champions of Educational Opportunity,

Thank you for raising the bar and rising to the occasion as Kids' Scholarship Fund embarks on our 30th Anniversary year, poised for continued growth and expansion.

Imagine a Connecticut where every single child—regardless of zip code or family income—has access to the education that fits them best. A state where we've finally broken the cycle of generational poverty and closed the decades-long racial and economic achievement gap. This is the Connecticut you are creating as supporters of the state's only private K-8 scholarship granting organization.

Thanks to your extraordinary commitment to the 2025-2026 academic year, KSF awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to 414 students in grades K through 8—a remarkable increase from 368 students the previous year and the largest number of scholars in our history. A milestone achievement is our new, groundbreaking partnership with Saint Martin de Porres Academy in New Haven, where KSF now provides a scholarship to every single student, ensuring that this exceptional school's transformative education is accessible to all families who choose it. Each scholarship you funded represents a child whose educational trajectory you've forever changed.

When in January 2025 KSF was made aware that CTCEE was sunsetting their scholarship program leaving students in need of angel supporters, you stepped forward to ensure 53 additional students could continue their educational journeys without interruption. You didn't just provide funding—you provided hope and continuity when these families needed it most.

Right now, 132 qualified children ages 5-14 sit on our waitlist for the 2025-26 school year, and more than 600 qualified, needy children were turned away this year due to lack of funding. These aren't just statistics—these are kindergartners ready to discover their love of learning, middle schoolers on the cusp of high school preparation, and families who've placed their trust in the possibility of a better future.

You have the power to change this. Help us say yes to them now, before another year of potential is lost.

Your belief in our mission is contagious. The number of donors and gifts has increased an astounding 230% in the past two years, with fundraising up more than 30% this year alone as new generous friends join our mission. You're not just supporting an organization—you're joining a movement that's reshaping Connecticut's educational landscape.

Your gifts to KSF are not about a transaction. Your gifts transform. Every dollar you invest becomes part of your legacy—a testament to your belief that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. You are the heroes writing the next chapter of Connecticut's story, one scholarship at a time.

As we enter our fourth decade, we invite you to deepen your investment in this vision. Together, we can ensure that no qualified child is turned away, that every family has hope, and that Connecticut leads the nation in educational equity.

The future we're building depends on champions like you.

With profound gratitude and unwavering commitment,

Nicole M. Talmadge
Executive Director

CEO Foundation of CT, Inc. (DBA Kids' Scholarship Fund) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.