Tommy Schultz is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Federation for Children (AFC), the nation’s largest K–12 school choice advocacy organization, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
AFC has invested more than $350 million nationwide to advance school choice, contributing to the passage of more than 250 school choice laws across 30+ states that expanded educational access for millions of families, particularly lower-income families for whom school choice can be transformative.
Tommy joined AFC in January 2015 and rose through every level of the organization — from Tennessee Communications Director to National Communications Director to VP of Communications and Marketing — before being appointed CEO in June 2021.
In nearly a decade at AFC, Tommy has been the organization’s primary public voice during the most prolific era of school choice lawmaking in American history.
Under his leadership, AFC supported landmark Education Savings Account (ESA) victories in Texas, Arizona, West Virginia, Iowa, Arkansas, and a growing list of states, while simultaneously building the national infrastructure for the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC), the first federal school choice tax credit in U.S. history, effective January 1, 2027.
Before joining AFC, Tommy served as a communications professional in high-profile political campaigns and public affairs, including as Communications Director for the Branstad-Reynolds gubernatorial reelection campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire Victory Communications Director for the Republican National Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University.
Clay’s public school told his mom his goals weren’t “appropriate for second grade.” As a teacher, she knew better. A scholarship gave her the chance to prove it, and today her son is thriving in a classroom built around how he learns.
When Jessica lost her husband in the line of duty, she became the sole decision-maker for her two daughters. She says the Opportunity Scholarship doesn’t just help with tuition — it gives her back something grief tried to take: the ability to choose.
Tonya Johnston served in the military to build a better future for her family. When her daughter Joy began struggling in public school, Tonya felt like she was out of options — until a conversation across the fence introduced her to a life-changing opportunity.
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Carol Day’s family made sacrifice after sacrifice for military service. School choice — and the Education Freedom Tax Credit — made sure their daughter Savannah didn’t have to sacrifice her education too.
Samuel Myers works two jobs. He has a girlfriend. He started his own card-making business. He even met the President. But more than 30 years ago, none of this seemed possible.
Across America, millions of children walk into classrooms every day that were chosen for them – not by their families, but by circumstance. For some students, those schools work. For others, they do not. That is why schools like Valiant Cross Academy exist. Located in the heart of downtown Montgomery, Alabama, Valiant Cross Academy was founded with a clear mission: to love, educate, and empower young African American men and boys of color. For many students, it becomes much more than a school. It becomes a turning point.
When tragedy changes everything, access to the right school can make all the difference.
One mother’s belief—and the power of school choice—gave her son the environment he needed to connect, grow, and become exactly who he’s meant to be.
One mother’s belief—and the power of school choice—set Mya on a path to one of the top boarding schools in the country.
When her daughter started falling behind, one Oklahoma mom refused to accept it as the end of the story — and the school she found changed everything.
When Tamica’s son George was expelled from two public schools, she feared she was out of options. A tax credit scholarship changed everything.
Find out if you qualify for the Education Freedom Tax Credit
Check now for freeRegister your interest and we’ll keep you close to the network as giving opens in 2027.
