Our Approach

For more than 30 years, Mott has worked to transform CSAs from an idea to a national strategy to empower every child’s future. Fueled by evidence and best practices, the number of children with CSAs grew 46-fold from 2014 to 2025 — from 150,000 to over 7 million.

Research shows that CSAs contribute to increased high school graduation rates, higher college enrollment and stronger pathways to economic mobility. By ensuring that all children have a dedicated savings account — seeded with an initial deposit — we help level the playing field, open doors to opportunities, and advance the just and equitable principles central to our mission.

We have two strategies to achieve our goals:

Replicating exemplary programs locally, regionally and statewide across the U.S.

Our grant funding supports:

• High-quality, effective programs that serve as models for how to design and implement CSAs and show how to deliver research-based benefits.
• Research to deepen knowledge about the effectiveness of CSAs.

Building a national CSA movement.

Our grant funding supports:

• Networks to activate a wide range of stakeholders who can raise awareness of the importance of CSAs.
• Alignment among local, state, regional and national efforts to sustain the momentum behind the growth of CSAs and improve their design, implementation and measurement.
• Development of clear, compelling messages that build public support and give CSA advocates the tools they need to be effective.