Children's Defense Fund

Mission Statement

The (national) Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind's mission is to ensure all children a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. Founded in 1973 by Marian Wright Edelman, CDF has worked relentlessly to provide a level playing field for all children across the United States who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of our most vulnerable children--children of color, children from low-income families and children with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school or suffer family breakdown.