Legal Fellow, Local Tax Policy

Children’s Funding Project is a nonprofit social impact organization that helps communities, states and

Native nations expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing.

Through our hands-on technical assistance and collection of resources, we help advocates,

policymakers, public agencies, and funders identify and align existing funding, generate new revenue,

and implement strategies to administer funds in ways that maximize their impact. This growing

organization is dynamic and seeks to meet the needs of the child and youth field and provide a healthy

and fulfilling work environment. Read more about us at: https://www.childrensfundingproject.org/.

About the Position:

Children’s Funding Project seeks a mission-driven attorney to serve as Legal Fellow, Local Tax Policy

and support the organization’s work on local taxing authority research, technical assistance, and capacity-

building. The Legal Fellow will contribute to research and analysis related to the authority of local

governments—counties, cities, and school districts—to raise revenue through tax mechanisms. Working

closely with the Director of Tax Policy and other team members, the Fellow will conduct 50-state legal and

policy research; monitor trends, threats, and opportunities affecting local taxing authority; and help

translate complex legal structures into practical tools, guidance, and technical assistance for

communities, advocates, and policymakers. This role offers a unique opportunity to deepen expertise in

state and local tax law in a mission-driven, applied policy environment. The Fellow will support client

projects, cohort programming, and knowledge management efforts while gaining hands-on experience in

legal research, policy analysis, and field-facing technical assistance. This position reports to the Director

of Tax Policy and collaborates across teams. This is a one-year, full-time, exempt position with the

possibility of renewal.

Key Responsibilities:

Local Taxing Authority Research & Legal Analysis (50-State)

• Conduct advanced legal research on the authority of local governments (counties, cities, and

school districts) to raise public revenue through tax mechanisms.

• Analyze state constitutional and statutory provisions governing local taxing authority, including tax

authorization structures, voter approval requirements, ballot access rules, revenue dedication

limitations, and state preemption constraints.

• Translate complex legal frameworks into clear, actionable guidance for internal staff and external

partners through written memos, summaries, tools, and frameworks.

Policy Monitoring & Knowledge Management

• Monitor and analyze state and local tax policy developments nationwide, including expansions or

restrictions on local taxing authority, state preemption threats, and local revenue initiatives.

• Track trends related to the dedication of local public funds for children and youth initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a 50-state local taxing authority database, ensuring research is

standardized, accessible, and usable.

• Create templates, research protocols, and knowledge-sharing tools.

Coaching & Technical Assistance

• Provide legal research, coaching, and strategic technical assistance to Children’s Funding

Coordinators and cohort participants to support selection of viable local revenue options.

• Develop and deliver training content and support materials, including curriculum modules, office

hours, and written guidance to strengthen local capacity in strategic public financing.

• Provide timely legal guidance on ballot access and revenue option availability to screen

community eligibility for participation in the Children’s Funding Institute and Voter Approved

Children’s Fund (VACF) cohort.

Organizational Support

• Support contract and grant management for the local taxing authority portfolio, including

deliverable tracking and funder reporting.

• Contribute to planning and workload forecasting related to research and technical assistance.
• Collaborate across teams to inform community strategy and project delivery.
• Represent the organization in meetings, webinars, and convenings as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required

• JD from an accredited law school and license to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Significant experience conducting advanced legal research, including statutory and constitutional

analysis.

• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues for

non-legal audiences.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities

and deliver high-quality work.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Commitment to advancing equitable opportunities for children and youth.

Preferred

• Experience in a public policy context, particularly related to children, youth, education, early

childhood, health, or human services.

• Interest or experience in fiscal policy, public finance, or state and local taxation.
• Experience providing technical assistance, coaching, or developing applied policy tools.
• Comfort using AI-powered tools and emerging technologies to support legal research, policy

analysis, drafting, and knowledge management, with sound professional judgment regarding

accuracy, confidentiality, and ethical considerations.

• Familiarity with ballot measures, local governance, or state/local legislative processes.

LOCATION: This position is remote and may be performed from anywhere in the United States. Some

travel is expected for conferences, partner meetings, and convenings.

COMPENSATION: The salary for the Legal Fellow position is $80,000. Children’s Funding Project also

offers a generous benefits package, a great (and growing!) team, and a working environment that

emphasizes professional development and growth.

TO APPLY: A cover letter is required for consideration and should address your

specific interest in and vision for the position, as well as relevant professional and lived experiences. The

cover letter will weigh heavily in the selection process. Applications are due by April 6, 2026.

Children’s Funding Project commits to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that

reflects the breadth of communities and clients we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer

dedicated to hiring socially conscious individuals with diverse experiences and knowledge that deepen

our organization’s impact. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard

to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected

veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. People of color, members of Tribal Nations

and Native communities, LGBTQ-identified people, gender-nonconforming people, people with

disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are strongly encouraged to

apply.