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

Interested in becoming a CDF Freedom Schools® sponsor? Join our CDF Freedom Schools® Application Information Session on Thursday, August 20, to learn more about the application process, partnership opportunities, and what it takes to bring CDF Freedom Schools® to your community.

Register now

Step 3 – Submit a CDF Freedom Schools® Application

If you are an organization applying as a first-time CDF Freedom Schools sponsor, please click below.

first-time sponsors apply here

If you are renewing your sponsorship to operate a CDF Freedom Schools program, please click here.

This application is only for organizations that operated a CDF Freedom Schools program in 2025, 2026, or applied to facilitate a program within the last two years.

returning sponsors apply here

Step 4 – Review CDF Freedom Schools® Calendar

Abbreviated 2027 program operating calendar below

January 2027

New Year’s Day- CDF Office Closed

January 1, 2027

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – CDF Office Closed

January 18, 2027

Orientation and Training for Executive Directors and Project Directors (Virtual)

January 20-21, 2027

March 2027

March Administrative Leadership Institute for Executive Directors, Project Directors, and Site Coordinators (In Person at CDF Alex Haley Farm and Junior Achievement Center)

March 11-14, 2027

June 2027

CDF Founder’s Day – CDF Office Closed

June 6, 2027

Juneteenth – CDF Office Closed

June 19, 2027

National Training for Site Coordinators and Servant Leader Interns (In Person at CDF Haley Farm/ Knoxville Convention Center)

June 2-5, 2027

July 2027

Independence Day – CDF Office Closed

July 4, 2027

National Day of Social Action (NDSA)

July 21, 2027

This webpage is updated as dates are confirmed.