Sponsor a Site

Getting Started

Thank you for your interest in joining the CDF Freedom Schools® family!

The curated resources below are meant to help your organization learn more about the benefits of hosting a program, as well as the application, training, fiduciary, and programmatic requirements that accepted sponsor organizations must uphold. The steps to applying are as follows:

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Step 1 – Review CDF Freedom Schools® video

CDF Freedom Schools Call to Action from Mrs. Marian Wright Edelman

Step 2 – Attend CDF Freedom Schools® Application Informational Session

Learn more about becoming an official CDF Freedom Schools partner by joining our informational session on Wednesday, August 27, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Registration is required.

Register now

Step 3 – Submit a CDF Freedom Schools® Application

The CDF Freedom Schools application cycle is now closed. The 2025-2026 CDF Freedom Schools application will be open on August 11, 2025. If you are renewing your sponsorship to sponsor a CDF Freedom Schools program your application will be enclosed in your End of the Year Report.

Step 4 – Review CDF Freedom Schools® Calendar

Abbreviated 2025 program operating calendar below

January 2025

New Year’s Day- CDF Office Closed
January 1, 2025

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – CDF Office Closed
January 20, 2025

Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute: Executive Director and Project Director Orientation & Training (In person at CDF Haley Farm)
January 24-26, 2025

March 2025

Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute: Site Coordinator Orientation & Training (Virtual Training Session)
March 20-23, 2025

June 2025

CDF Founder’s Day – CDF Office Closed
June 7, 2025

Juneteenth – CDF Office Closed
June 19, 2025

Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute: National Training for Site Coordinators and Servant Leader Interns (In person at CDF Haley Farm)
June 3- 8, 2025

July 2025

Independence Day – CDF Office Closed
July 4, 2025

National Day of Social Action (NDSA)
July 23, 2025

August 2025

2026 Application Release
August 11, 2025

Virtual Application Informational Session
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EST

September 2025

2026 CDF Freedom Schools Sponsor Application Deadline
September 29, 2025

October 2025

2026 CDF Freedom Schools Application Review & Response
Application Interviews & Notification Letters Sent Out
October 1, 2025

This webpage is updated as dates are confirmed.