MADISON, Connecticut, March 3, 2025 – Kids’ Scholarship Fund (KSF), the largest independent K-8 scholarship organization in Connecticut, has worked with Yankee Institute (YI), one of the nation’s oldest state-based think tanks, to provide scholarships for students who were previously funded through the Connecticut Center for Educational Excellence (CTCEE). Formerly a division of Yankee Institute, CTCEE ceased operation on January 15, 2025.
“We are delighted to be able to smoothly transition our CTCEE scholarship recipients to KSF’s program for the 2025-26 school year,” said Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau. “With a thirty-year history of providing scholarships that help underserved families overcome the financial barriers to a private K-8 school education, KSF is a valued ally and we’re grateful to have this opportunity to transfer our scholars so each of our organizations can work in the area of our greatest strength.”
“Helping children get a quality education is our mission and our only priority,” said Kids’ Scholarship Fund Executive Director Nicole Talmadge. “Extending scholarships to CTCEE students and families is a perfect fit for our organization and the right thing to do.” Stressing the importance of raising additional funds to ensure long-term support for CTCEE scholars and position KSF for sustainable growth, Talmadge added, “we will be engaging current Yankee Institute donors and launching a major fundraising initiative.”
“Many of our families would not be able to afford to send their children to All Saints Catholic Academy without the help of need-based scholarships from organizations such as KSF and CTCEE,” said Sister Diane Mastroianni, Principal of All Saints Catholic Academy. “It will be comforting for parents to know this far in advance of the 2025-26 school year that KSF will be providing scholarships to former CTCEE scholars, and that their children will continue to excel in the same supportive environment that our school and learning community offers.”
KSF staff will work closely with the families of current CTCEE scholars to explain the application process, verify eligibility under the KSF program, calculate scholarship awards, and guide each family through the application process, which is now open for the 2025-26 school year.
KSF Executive Director Nicole Talmadge
Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau
To learn more about the Kids’ Scholarship Fund, including how to support KSF’s mission, visit www.ksfct.org. For families interested in applying for scholarships, eligibility requirements and instructions for applying are available at www.ksfct.org/how-to-apply.
About Yankee Institute
Yankee Institute is a 501(c)(3) research and citizen education organization that does not accept government funding. Yankee Institute develops and advances free-market, limited-government solutions in Connecticut. As one of America’s oldest state-based think tanks, Yankee is a leading advocate for smart, limited government; fairness for taxpayers; and an open road to opportunity.
About KSF
Kids’ Scholarship Fund empowers Connecticut children from low-income families to reach their full potential by providing equal access to a high-quality, foundational K-8 education through need-based scholarships that enable families to choose schools that best meet the learning needs and abilities of their children.
Founded in 1995 as the Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation of CT, Kids’ Scholarship Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has earned a four-star rating (the highest possible) from Charity Navigator, a Candid Gold Seal of Transparency, and a top-rated status from Great Nonprofits. KSF’s most recent independent auditors’ report and IRS Form 990 financial statements can be found at: https://www.ksfct.org/about-us/annual-reports-and-financial-statements.
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