When a group of mothers in public housing watched 17 of their children fail kindergarten, they decided to do something about it. CFNC was born, and it now serves 138 at-risk children and their families. Most live just slightly above the poverty line (average income for a family of four is only $27,000), have an 8th grade education at most, and speak English as a second language. CFNC provides, at no cost, the high-quality preschool education and related services that children and families need to prepare for success in school and in life – workshops that help parents advocate for their children’s education, support education at home, and help children transition to kindergarten. Early education, health services, and family support are provided onsite in Alexandria, where families are doubly disadvantaged, economically and linguistically. CFNC offers comprehensive care that really addresses the problem. You can be part of the solution.

Headquarters: VA-City of Alexandria

Where They Operate: VA-City of Alexandria; City of Alexandria; Arlandria; Lynnhaven; Charles Houston; West End

Age Groups Served: Pre-K (3-4); Adult (25-49)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: CFNC has classrooms in the Alexandria City Public Schools


  • Number of children served living at or below 250% of poverty :   136
  • Number of classrooms that maintained full 2-year state licensure:   8
  • Number of children who demonstrated an average developmental gain of three times the national average in FY2016:   155
  • Number of children that received hearing, vision, and dental screenings in FY2016:   175
  • Number of parents who achieved two or more goals - such as English acquisition or job stability - in FY2016:   131

Awards & Recognition

• In collaboration with Northern Virginia Families Services, CFNC began the first Spanish-speaking perinatal support group for Latino women in Spring 2012. The biweekly meetings have averaged three to six participants per class, and attendance is growing by word of mouth.

• CFNC became one of the first programs in the country to receive accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. To achieve NAEYC accreditation, early childhood education programs are measured against the most robust and rigorous national standards on education, health, and safety.

• The Child and Family Network Centers is among the first preschool programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive a 4-star rating as part of the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, a quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs.

• The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington selected The Child & Family Network Centers to be featured in the 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 Catalogue. CFNC was one of 70 outstanding nonprofits to be featured that year. “Charities were selected for excellence, cost-effectiveness, and impact,” said Barbara Harman, President and Editor. “These are certainly among the best community-based nonprofits in the Washington region.”

CFNC was selected as one of Northern Virginia’s top preschools by Northern Virginia Magazine.

CFNC is part of GuideStar, a “one stop online shop” for donors, funders, researchers, educators, governing agencies, and the media who want to gain quality information on non-profit organizations.

CFNC is among the first preschool programs in Virginia to receive a star rating as part of the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, a quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. CFNC’s classrooms obtained three and four star ratings (out of five stars).

CFNC received a three star rating on charity navigator in 2013.

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Budget (FY2013)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for The Child & Family Network Centers is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.

The Catalogue for Philanthropy looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to the Catalogue to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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