Best Charities for Foster Care 2023: Impact + Donation Tips

Want to donate to foster care? Looking for the best charities for foster care?

Foster care is an important issue that affects thousands of children and families across the country. While the foster care system can be challenging and complex, there are many charities and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care.

Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer, fundraise for foster care or get involved in other ways, there are many great foster care charities that are making a difference. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best foster care charities that you can support in 2023.

Best Charities for Foster Care Causes

Below is a list of some of the best charities for foster care from the hundreds of charities across the USA that work towards the cause of foster care or the larger cause of child welfare.

2. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Charity Navigator Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Primary focus of the charity

CASA’s primary focus is supporting and promoting court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Why CASA is a top foster care charity?

CASA is another exceptional charity that stands out for its commitment to advocating for the needs of children in the foster care system.

CASA recruits and trains volunteer advocates who work directly with foster children, ensuring their voices are heard in court proceedings and that their best interests are prioritized. There are 44 local CASA programs in 51 counties training CASA volunteers.

The organization’s impact is evident in the numbers. According to the National CASA Association, there were over 97,000 CASA volunteers serving over 240,000 foster care children in the United States.

Research shows that foster children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to find a permanent home, spend less time in foster care, and have improved educational outcomes.

For instance, a national study found that children with a CASA volunteer were more likely to receive needed services, such as mental health support and educational assistance.

Furthermore, these children were more likely to achieve educational milestones like graduating from high school with a CASA volunteer than without it.

The remarkable dedication of CASA volunteers and the positive impact they make on the lives of foster children make CASA a standout charity in the foster care landscape.

3. Foster Love (Formerly known as Together We Rise)

Primary focus of the charity

The charity started in 2008 with the objective of providing after-school enrichment to foster youth. But over the last 15 years, it has grown into one of the biggest foster care charities. It now works at broader goals like providing tangible resources to foster kids and foster parents, providing educational scholarships, and making available supplemental support to foster agencies and foster parents.

What makes Foster Love one of the best foster care charities?

Foster Love is a highly regarded charity that focuses on improving the lives of children in foster care through various programs and initiatives.

One of their notable programs is the “Sweet Cases” initiative, where they provide children entering foster care with personalized duffel bags filled with essential items like blankets, hygiene kits, and teddy bears. Through this program alone, Foster has distributed over 750,000 Sweet Cases to foster children across the United States.

Additionally, the organization offers a wide range of support services, including college scholarships, resources for aging out of foster care, and educational programs.

Foster Love’s commitment to improving the foster care experience for children is evident in its impressive impact and reach. To date, they have positively impacted the lives of over 650,000 foster children, demonstrating their dedication to creating brighter futures for these vulnerable youth.

4. A Sense of Home

Charity Navigator Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Primary focus of the charity

A Sense of Home is a remarkable charity that deserves recognition for its impactful work in the foster care community. The organization’s mission is to prevent homelessness among young adults who have aged out of the foster care system by providing them with the essential items needed to create a stable and comfortable home.

What makes A Sense of Home a formidable foster care charity?

A Sense of Home takes a unique approach by transforming empty housing units into fully furnished and personalized homes for young adults who have recently transitioned out of foster care. They work with a team of volunteers who gather donated furniture, household items, and supplies, and then collaborate with the young adults to design and set up their new homes.

Through their efforts, A Sense of Home has made a significant difference in the lives of foster youth. According to their data, over 1500+ former foster home adults have been assisted, and they have successfully furnished over 800 homes.

The organization’s impact extends beyond providing physical goods, as they aim to create a sense of belonging and stability for these young individuals, reducing their risk of homelessness and setting them on a path to success.

A Sense of Home’s effectiveness as a foster care charity is also evident in the outcomes they have achieved. Their unique approach has resulted in an impressive success rate, with 100% of the recipients remaining housed after 2 years and over 90% of the young adults remaining housed after receiving support from the organization.

By providing these individuals with the basic necessities and a supportive environment, A Sense of Home addresses a critical gap in the foster care system and helps pave the way for a brighter future.

Additionally, the charity’s focus on sustainability is noteworthy.

They actively engage the young adults they serve, encouraging them to pay it forward by becoming volunteers and mentors themselves, creating a cycle of support and empowerment within the foster care community. With their innovative approach, positive outcomes, and dedication to fostering stable homes.

5. Foster Club

Charity Navigator Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Primary focus of the charity

FosterClub is a highly respected charity that focuses on supporting current and former foster youth in their transition to successful adulthood.

What makes Foster Club a top charity for foster care?

The organization offers a range of resources and programs designed to empower and equip foster youth with the necessary skills and support they need to thrive. FosterClub provides access to educational resources, training materials, and opportunities for youth leadership and advocacy.

FosterClub’s All-Star Program identifies and supports outstanding young leaders who have experienced foster care. These All-Stars serve as ambassadors and role models, sharing their stories and experiences to inspire and advocate for positive change within the foster care system. They receive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance their leadership skills.

FosterClub offers a variety of educational resources, including tip sheets, videos, and guides, to support foster youth in their educational pursuits. They also provide information about scholarships and grants available specifically for foster youth, helping them overcome financial barriers and access higher education.

FosterClub encourages foster youth to become advocates for themselves and their peers. They provide training and resources on advocacy skills, enabling youth to speak up about their needs, contribute to policy discussions, and participate in decision-making processes that affect the foster care system.

Overall, FosterClub’s formidable dedication to empowering foster youth and providing them with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of transitioning into adulthood solidifies its reputation as one of the best charities for foster care.

6. Treehouse for Kids

Charity Navigator Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Primary focus of the charity

Treehouse is a highly respected charity that focuses on providing comprehensive support to foster youth in achieving academic success. It is based in Washington and has become Washington’s leading organization addressing the academic and other essential supports of youth in foster care.

What makes Treehouse for Kids one of the top charities for foster care?

Treehouse is the only non-profit in Washington focused on the educational needs of youth in foster care.

The organization recognizes the educational barriers faced by children in foster care and aims to bridge the gap by offering a range of services and resources. Treehouse provides academic support, tutoring, and mentoring to help foster youth excel in their studies. They also offer access to extracurricular activities, college and career counseling, and assistance with obtaining necessary educational supplies and technology.

Treehouse works at ensuring a seamless transition of foster youth into higher education or the workforce. They provide guidance on college applications, financial aid, vocational training, and career development, ensuring that foster youth have the necessary tools and information to pursue their post-secondary goals. This is done with the aim to prevent homelessness or incarceration of foster youth after passing out from foster care.

In addition to the above, the organization also works towards providing essential supplies, fundraising for clothing, school supplies, uniforms, etc. Treehouse also offers support in training for, and applying for a driver’s license.

7. National Foster Parent Association

Charity Navigator Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Primary focus of the charity

The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) is a highly respected charity that provides support, education, and advocacy for foster parents.

What makes National Foster Parent Association one of the best charities for foster care?

The organization recognizes the crucial role that foster parents play in providing loving and stable homes for children in need.

NFPA offers a range of resources, including training programs, support groups, and access to information on foster care policies and practices. NFPA provides foster parents with up-to-date information, guidelines, and resources related to foster care. They offer access to best practices, child welfare policies, and tools that assist foster parents in navigating the complex foster care system.

They also advocate for the rights of foster parents and work to improve the foster care system by promoting collaboration between foster parents, child welfare professionals, and policymakers.

NFPA assists foster parents in times of crisis or emergency situations. It helps address immediate needs, such as housing, transportation, or emergency financial assistance, ensuring that foster parents have the necessary support to provide a stable environment for the children in their care.

NFPA’s impact can be seen in the thousands of foster parents who have benefited from their support and resources. By empowering and equipping foster parents with knowledge and support, NFPA contributes to the overall well-being and success of children in foster care. Their dedication to fostering a supportive community for foster parents and their advocacy efforts make NFPA one of the best charities for foster care.

8. Foster America

Foster America is a standout charity in the realm of foster care, recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to improving outcomes for children in foster care. Foster America was founded in 2016 by Sherry Lachman, a former White House fellow and child welfare advocate.

Primary focus of the charity

The organization was established with the aim of transforming the child welfare system by recruiting, training, and supporting professionals with diverse expertise to drive meaningful change.

What makes Foster America an exception foster care non-profit organization?

Foster America focuses on addressing systemic issues within the child welfare system by placing highly skilled professionals in leadership positions to drive innovative and evidence-based reforms. Their primary goal is to improve outcomes for children in foster care by leveraging expertise from various fields and driving sustainable changes at both the organizational and policy levels.

Foster America recruits professionals from diverse backgrounds, including social work, policy, data analysis, and technology, and places them in positions within child welfare agencies, nonprofits, and government entities. These professionals, known as Foster America Fellows, work on specific projects to address critical challenges and implement transformative solutions.

They contribute expertise in areas such as data analysis, program design, policy development, and strategic planning to create lasting impact within the child welfare system.

Foster America has achieved significant milestones since its inception. For example, one of their fellows worked with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to implement predictive analytics models that identify children at risk of maltreatment. This initiative led to more targeted interventions and improved outcomes for vulnerable children.

Another Foster America Fellow worked with the District of Columbia’s Child and Family Services Agency to improve permanency outcomes and reduce placement instability for children in foster care. These achievements demonstrate the organization’s ability to drive systemic change and positively impact the lives of children and families involved in the child welfare system.

9. America’s Kids Belong

Charity Navigator Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

America’s Kids Belong was founded in 2009 as an innovative response to the urgent need for foster care reform. It emerged as a national campaign to unite government, faith, business, and creative communities to address the foster care crisis.

Primary Focus of the charity

The primary focus of America’s Kids Belong is to create systemic change within the foster care system by uniting communities and inspiring individuals to take action. Their aim, like many charities for orphans striving hard to eliminate temporary foster care solutions, is to eliminate barriers and delays in the adoption process, reduce the number of children awaiting adoption, and ensure that every child in foster care has a safe and permanent home.

What makes America’s Kids Belong the best non-profit for foster care?

America’s Kids Belong employs various programs and initiatives to achieve their mission. Their programs primarily revolve around foster parent recruitment and community engagement.

They work collaboratively with child welfare agencies, faith-based organizations, businesses, and community leaders to raise awareness, inspire engagement, and connect waiting foster children with prospective adoptive families.

Their programs include

• “I Belong,” a campaign that focuses on creating media content to profile waiting children,
• “The Heart Gallery,” an exhibit showcasing portraits and stories of children in need of adoptive families.
• “Adoption Matching Events” bring together prospective adoptive parents and waiting children to create connections and increase the likelihood of successful placements.

America’s Kids Belong has made significant strides in improving outcomes for children in foster care. For instance, they pioneered the use of multimedia campaigns to raise awareness and recruit adoptive families, resulting in thousands of successful adoptions.

Through their efforts, they have mobilized communities, engaged faith-based organizations, and secured public and private partnerships, leading to increased support and resources for foster children and families. America’s Kids Belong has also played an instrumental role in policy advocacy, driving changes that prioritize permanency and support for foster children nationwide.

With its innovative approach, collaborative efforts, and notable achievements, America’s Kids Belong stands as one of the best charities for foster care.

Why donating to foster care is the need of the hour?

Large number of children in foster care

The number of children in foster care systems in the last few years has been around 400,000 since 2017.
Such a large number of children have to enter foster care due to various circumstances such as neglect, abuse, parental drug use, and more. These children need safe, supportive homes where they can thrive.

Inadequate Resources

Many foster care systems are underfunded and struggle to provide the resources necessary to ensure the well-being of the children they serve. This includes basic needs like clothing and food but also extends to educational resources, counseling services, and enrichment activities.

Educational Support

Children in foster care often face educational challenges, such as frequent school changes and learning disruptions, that can impact their academic success. Donations can provide needed resources for tutoring, school supplies, and other forms of academic support.

Transitioning Out of Foster Care

Young adults aging out of the foster care system often lack the resources and support they need to transition successfully into adulthood. Donations can provide resources for things like housing assistance, job training, and educational scholarships.

Emotional and Mental Health Support

Many children in foster care have experienced trauma and may struggle with emotional and mental health issues as a result. Donations can fund therapeutic services, counseling, and other mental health resources.

The pandemic has further aggravated the mental health issues amongst children in foster care.

Support for Foster Parents

Foster parents often face financial and logistical challenges. Donations can support programs that provide assistance to these families, like respite care, training, and financial aid.

Advocacy

Organizations advocating for policy changes to improve the foster care system often rely on donations for funding. These changes can lead to long-term improvements in the lives of children in foster care.

Foster Care Donations – FAQs

Which is the best charity for foster care donations?

The best charity for foster care donation would vary depending on the cause that you wish to actively support. Here are some recommendations
– Foster Care to Success empowers youth with educational support and helps them graduate from college.
– Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) ensures the needs of foster children are represented in court through volunteer advocates.
– Foster Love improves the lives of foster children with various programs with a wide reach.

What do foster kids most need?

Foster kids need
– basic home and school supplies
– proper representation in court through volunteer advocates
– guidance on high school and higher education
– tools to prevent homelessness after stepping out of foster care

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