Connect for Kids was launched as KidsCampaigns in 1996 by The Benton Foundation, to demonstrate effective use of new media and communications technologies (particularly the Internet) to further the field of children’s research and advocacy.
The groundwork for Connect For Kids was laid in 1991 through the work of the Coalition for America's Children, co-founded by The Benton Foundation. The Coalition's "Who's for Kids and Who's Just Kidding" campaigns worked to put kids at the forefront of the public agenda and to make political candidates accountable on kids' issues.
In 1995, the Benton Foundation garnered funding from the AT&T Foundation and negotiated a partnership with the Ad Council for a major, 10-year public service announcement campaign. This allowed for the development of a pilot Website for the Coalition, to test and demonstrate the usefulness of the Internet and other communications technologies in addressing social issues.
KidsCampaigns quickly outgrew its original function as an online brochure for the Ad Council campaign. Through the Website and e-newsletters, the KidsCampaigns project served to raise public awareness, and provide the tools and information people needed to work for better policies and programs for children and families. Further journalistic content was built around the idea that parents needed more relevant family-inspired information from the Web media.
In 1999, KidsCampaigns redesigned the site and changed its name to Connect For Kids based on research on our usability and effectiveness. As the largest gateway Website for news and information on children's issues, Connect For Kids outgrew its original status as a demonstration project of the Benton Foundation. In 2003, Connect For Kids became an independent nonprofit organization with a 501c 3 tax-exempt status.
In 2006, Connect for Kids closed its doors as an independent organization, and transferred its assets including the Connect for Kids Web site, CFK Newsletter, trademark, and mailing list, to the Forum for Youth Investment [1] (“the Forum”). The Forum continues to manage the Connect for Kids Web site and CFK Newsletter.
In the fall of 2007, Connect for Kids partnered with < Child Advocacy 360 [2] to share content and expertise. CFK and Child Advocacy 360 together will continue to provide excellent articles and annotations of “best of the Web” child-focused content. In addition, the CFK Weekly will feature Child Advocacy 360’s signature content: Who’s Doing What That Works and Voices & Views.
Throughout our history, we have continued to bring attention to how public policies can help strengthen families and improve kids' lives with new editions of our homepage each week, a comprehensive Website with links to information and research, e-newsletters that cover the news and views of the child advocacy field, and community and strategic communications efforts on specific issues.