Foster care charities play a vital role in providing support, stability, and hope to children and youth in the foster care system. These organizations offer a range of services, from providing safe and loving homes to advocating for systemic changes that benefit foster children and their families.
This guide highlights some of the most impactful foster care charities, their missions, histories, and the significant contributions they make in transforming lives.
Foster Care Charities
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is dedicated to finding permanent homes for children in foster care. Founded by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, this organization focuses on increasing adoptions and improving the lives of children waiting for a family.
Mission: To dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems.
History: Established in 1992 by Dave Thomas, an adoptee himself, the foundation has grown into a national leader in foster care adoption.
Impact:
• Developed the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, which has helped find adoptive homes for thousands of children.
• Provides grants to adoption agencies to support adoption professionals.
• Advocates for policy changes to make adoption from foster care easier.
Foster Love
Foster Love is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of children in foster care. They provide resources, support, and memorable experiences to foster children, helping to make their lives a little brighter.
Mission: To transform the way children experience foster care.
History: Founded in 2008 by a group of college students, Together We Rise has grown rapidly, impacting thousands of children in the foster care system.
Impact:
• Provides Sweet Cases, duffel bags filled with essentials, to children entering foster care.
• Offers scholarships and resources for aging-out youth.
• Organizes events and programs to bring joy and normalcy to foster children.
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Casey Family Programs
Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families. They provide direct services and work to influence long-lasting improvements in child welfare systems.
Mission: To provide and improve—and ultimately prevent the need for—foster care.
History: Founded in 1966 by Jim Casey, founder of United Parcel Service (UPS), the organization has been at the forefront of child welfare reform for decades.
Impact:
• Offers direct services to children and families.
• Provides technical assistance and support to child welfare systems.
• Conducts research and policy advocacy to improve foster care outcomes.
FosterClub
FosterClub is a national network for young people in foster care. They provide resources, training, and peer support to help foster youth succeed and advocate for themselves.
Mission: To lead the efforts of young people in and from foster care to become connected, educated, inspired, and represented so they can realize their personal potential and contribute to a better life for their peers.
History: Since its inception in 1999, FosterClub has empowered foster youth through leadership and advocacy programs.
Impact:
• Offers a peer support network for foster youth.
• Provides leadership training and development opportunities.
• Advocates for policy changes to improve the foster care system.
National Foster Parent Association (NFPA)
The National Foster Parent Association supports foster parents and promotes the welfare of foster children. They provide education, advocacy, and support to foster families across the United States.
Mission: To support foster parents in achieving safety, permanence, and well-being for the children and youth in their care.
History: Founded in 1972, NFPA has been a crucial resource for foster parents, offering training and advocacy for over four decades.
Impact:
• Provides resources and training for foster parents.
• Advocates for policies that support foster families and children.
• Offers scholarships and grants to foster youth and parents.
Children’s Rights
Children’s Rights uses the power of the law to protect abused and neglected children. They advocate for systemic reforms to improve child welfare systems and ensure that children’s rights are upheld.
Mission: To use the power of the law to defend, protect, and ensure the rights of children in foster care.
History: Founded in 1995, Children’s Rights has been instrumental in bringing about significant legal reforms to protect foster children.
Impact:
• Litigates to reform failing child welfare systems.
• Provides legal representation for foster children.
• Advocates for policy changes to protect children’s rights.
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Treehouse
Treehouse aims to give foster kids a childhood and a future. They provide academic and other essential support to help foster children succeed in school and life.
Mission: To give foster kids a childhood and a future.
History: Since its founding in 1988, Treehouse has focused on supporting the educational needs of foster youth.
Impact:
• Offers academic support and tutoring to foster children.
• Provides essential items like clothing and school supplies.
• Advocates for educational stability and success for foster youth.
Amara
Amara works to ensure that every child in foster care has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. They provide adoption and foster care services, as well as support for families and children.
Mission: To create and support stable, loving homes for vulnerable children.
History: Founded in 1921, Amara has a long history of supporting children and families through adoption and foster care.
Impact:
• Provides foster care and adoption services.
• Offers support and resources for foster and adoptive families.
• Advocates for child welfare policies that support family stability.
Youth Villages
Youth Villages is dedicated to helping children and families live successfully. They provide a range of services, including foster care, to support children in achieving long-term success.
Mission: To help children and families live successfully.
History: Since 1986, Youth Villages has provided comprehensive support services to children and families in need.
Impact:
• Offers foster care and adoption services.
• Provides therapeutic support and counseling.
• Advocates for policies that support child welfare and family stability.
Together We Foster
Together We Foster supports foster families and children through community engagement and resource provision. They work to ensure that foster children have the support they need to thrive.
Mission: To support foster families and children through community engagement and resource provision.
History: Founded in 2015, Together We Foster has rapidly grown to support foster families in multiple communities.
Impact:
• Provides resources and support to foster families.
• Organizes community events and programs for foster children.
• Advocates for increased community involvement in foster care.
The Mockingbird Society
The Mockingbird Society works to transform foster care and end youth homelessness. They engage with youth and families to advocate for systemic change and provide innovative solutions to improve the foster care system.
Mission: To transform foster care and end youth homelessness.
History: Founded in 2001, The Mockingbird Society has been a leader in advocating for foster youth and creating sustainable changes in the foster care system.
Impact:
• Advocates for policy reforms to improve foster care.
• Provides training and support to foster youth.
• Engages the community in efforts to end youth homelessness.
AdoptUSKids
AdoptUSKids is a national project that supports child welfare systems and connects children in foster care with families interested in adopting. They provide resources and support to prospective adoptive parents.
Mission: To raise public awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families and to support states, territories, and tribes in their efforts to find families for children in foster care.
History: Founded in 2002, AdoptUSKids has helped thousands of children find adoptive families.
Impact:
• Connects children in foster care with adoptive families.
• Provides training and resources for adoptive parents.
• Advocates for adoption-friendly policies and practices.
Kidsave
Kidsave is dedicated to finding permanent, loving families for older children and teens in foster care. They focus on building connections through unique programs that engage the community and potential adoptive families.
Mission: To create change so that older kids in foster care and orphanages grow up in families and connected to caring adults.
History: Since 1999, Kidsave has worked to find families for older children and teens who are often overlooked in the foster care system.
Impact:
• Runs programs like Weekend Miracles and Summer Miracles to connect kids with families.
• Advocates for policies that support older children in foster care.
• Provides resources and support to foster and adoptive families.
FosterAdopt Connect
FosterAdopt Connect provides comprehensive support services to foster and adoptive families, helping them navigate the challenges of fostering and adoption. They offer a range of programs to ensure the well-being of children and families.
Mission: To provide foster and adoptive children a stable, loving and nurturing family environment by support services, advocacy and education.
History: Founded in 1998, FosterAdopt Connect has grown to support thousands of families through their various programs.
Impact:
• Provides training and support for foster and adoptive parents.
• Offers therapeutic services and educational support for children.
• Advocates for policies that improve the foster care system.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children
CASA for Children trains volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers provide a voice for children in court and ensure their needs are met.
Mission: To support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.
History: Since its founding in 1977, CASA has expanded to include over 950 programs nationwide.
Impact:
• Trains volunteers to advocate for foster children in court.
• Ensures that children’s best interests are represented.
• Provides support and resources to CASA volunteers.
