What is Grandfamilies & Kinship University?
Across the country, more than 2.5 million children are being raised by grandparents, relatives, and close family friends, often at a moment’s notice, and without support.
These kinship and grandfamilies often form overnight, when a parent faces challenges such as substance use, incarceration, a mental health crisis, or death. Caregivers step in without warning, often without the training, financial support, or services that are typically available to foster families. Yet they keep children connected to family, culture, and community during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Unfortunately, the systems designed to support these families are rarely shaped by caregivers and are often difficult to find, access, or navigate.
Grandfamilies & Kinship University (GKU) exists to change that.
Launched by Generations United, GKU builds on nearly three decades of leadership in kinship care by applying what the field has learned to a program that places caregivers at the center of solution design.
Through leadership training, peer learning, and community-based projects, kinship caregivers will build the skills, tools, and relationships to turn their lived experience into action, support their own families, and create change for others like them.
A Two-Year Journey
Year One. Participants, whom we refer to as Scholars, build community with fellow caregivers while strengthening their leadership and advocacy skills. They gain practical tools to navigate schools, health care, and child welfare systems, and deepen their understanding of the policies shaping their families’ lives.
Year Two. Participants partner with a local organization to design and lead a community project that directly serves kinship caregivers, such as a caregiver support group, food pantry, or new resource, all of which are responsive to real community needs.
Caregivers as Leaders
When kinship caregivers are supported, children thrive.
GKU recognizes what is already true: these caregivers are experts, advocates, and leaders. They hold families together, create stability, and show up every day in the face of uncertainty.
This program is more than leadership development. It recognizes the leadership caregivers already bring, invests in their growth, and supports them as they lead alongside their communities.
What Scholars Receive
- A stipend recognizing your time and lived expertise
- An in-person leadership kickoff to build connection and community, with travel expenses covered.
- Virtual training sessions focused on leadership, advocacy, and systems navigation
- Ongoing peer support throughout the program
- Individual coaching and guidance
- Funding to design and lead a community project in Year Two
See the Program Overview for Prospective Scholars.
GKU is open to kinship caregivers across the country who have full-time responsibility for raising children in kinship or grandfamily arrangements.
Ready to grow as a leader and make a difference in your community? Apply today. You do not need a formal title or prior leadership experience. What matters most is your experience and your desire to make a difference.
A limited number of Scholars will be selected for this inaugural cohort.
Timeline at a Glance
- Application deadline: June 8, 2026
- Review and selection period: Mid-to-late June 2026
- Scholars notified: Late June 2026
- Program kickoff: Fall 2026
- The program runs from Fall 2026 through Spring 2028
If you are interested or know someone who would be a great Scholar, we encourage you to apply or share this opportunity.
Application Deadline: June 8, 2026
Have Questions?
We know you may want to learn more before applying or sharing this opportunity. If you have questions about the program or would like additional information, please reach out:
Karen Gillespie
Project Coordinator, National Center on Grandfamilies
Generations United
kgillespie@gu.org