About Children First Capital Advisors

Our Purpose

CFC supports nonprofits and mission-driven organizations working to overcome systemic challenges and expand their impact. As a Registered Municipal Advisor, we bring deep expertise in finance, strategy, and project execution—always with a commitment to integrity, excellence, and measurable results.

Our Values

1) Children and communities come first

2) Our partners deserve excellence

3) Work with integrity—always

Our Vision

We envision a future where every community has access to the capital, tools, and trusted partners needed to realize their boldest ambitions.

Meet Our Founding Team

Mike McGregor, Managing Partner

Mike McGregor is a mission-driven leader with an extensive background in capital markets, fundraising, real estate, school programming, and public policy. Prior to launching Children First Capital Advisors, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF), the nation’s largest nonprofit charter school loan fund. At EFF, Mike oversaw capital raising, finance, and operations; supported over $1 billion in charter school bond issuances; and raised approximately $250 million in philanthropic and government grants.

Before joining EFF, Mike was Chief Operating Officer at the Great Oaks Foundation, where he led major facilities projects, managed school budgets, and supported the organization’s growth to serve more than 3,000 students across Bridgeport, New York City, Newark, and Wilmington. Earlier in his career, he was a humanities teacher and instructional leader at Match Charter Public High School in Boston. In addition to his work with CFC Advisors, Mike is the Principal with Mila Realty Group, a community-oriented real estate development and investment firm, and he is a founding trustee and treasurer of Kindle Education Public Charter School in Jersey City.

Mike is a Qualified Municipal Advisor Principal and Representative. He earned an MBA with a concentration in finance and real estate from Columbia Business School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in Harlem with his wife Maria and their two daughters.

Brian Kates, Partner

Brian Kates is a Founding Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Children First Capital Advisors (CFC). Prior to joining CFC, he served as Vice President of Finance and Data at Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF), where he led financial strategy, accounting, and funder compliance for a $1.5 billion revolving loan fund. His responsibilities also included oversight of data systems and information technology infrastructure.

Before his tenure at EFF, Brian founded ZATA Consulting, an education-focused advisory firm supporting charter schools nationwide with strategic planning, financial management, operational improvements, and facility development. Through this work, he has partnered with over 50 charter school organizations to design and implement sustainable growth strategies.

Brian’s earlier roles include serving as the Founding Director of Finance and Operations at Intrinsic Schools in Chicago, Founding Director of Finance for the Achievement School District in Tennessee, and various leadership positions at the Charter School Growth Fund over a six-year period.

Brian holds a Master of Science in Finance from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.

Kevin Alin, Partner

Kevin Alin has committed his professional career to creating positive impact in the communities he serves. He brings deep expertise in education, real estate, and cross-sector innovation, with a track record of supporting schools through successful launches and capital projects.

Kevin served as a Senior Advisor with the Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF), where he helped conceptualize and grow the nation’s leading nonprofit charter school lender. He previously served as Executive Director of School Choice & Enrollment for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), where he led major systems reforms and increased enrollment through innovative public service initiatives.

Earlier in his career, he co-founded Citizens Leadership Academy, a high-performing expeditionary middle school in Cleveland, and served as Chief of Staff to the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, where he led operational reforms to improve service delivery.

In addition to his work with CFC Advisors, Kevin is the Founder and President of New Frontiers Development Group, which advises, invests in, and develops mission-driven projects that reactivate the latent potential of neighborhoods. He earned a BA from Clark University and resides in Chapel Hill with his wife Tara and is the proud father of two daughters.

James Dennis, Director

James Dennis is a Director at CFC Advisors, where he supports capital strategy and transaction structuring for mission-driven schools and nonprofits. He brings strong analytical skills, a commitment to excellence, and a deep understanding of the challenges schools face when seeking to access affordable, sustainable capital.

Prior to joining CFC, James was an Associate at Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF), where he worked with charter schools across the country to evaluate their financial readiness and support their efforts to secure long-term, values-aligned facility financing.

At EFF, he helped assess borrower risk, underwrite loans, and provide guidance to schools seeking to align their academic goals with responsible capital planning.

James earned a BA from Yale University in Economics and currently lives in Nashville.