Foster Care Grants

I hear a lot of foster families ask questions about saving money and being able to afford all those extra expenses that come with fostering.  As a frugal person, I’ve become a bit of an expert in saving money and want to share my tips with you!  Check out my post on deals and savings for foster families for general savings, and keep reading for information on foster care grants.

 

1. Swell Forever Grant

Swell Forever is an organization that makes and sells heirloom blankets.  I would describe their product as a customized investment from a company you really want to support.  As they put it, “It is not about inviting people into our perfect home, it is about inviting them into our imperfect heart.”

 

What’s truly wonderful about Swell Forever is that they give out grants for foster families in the amount of $100 per foster child per half year.  They have a list of suggested grant requests, such as cribs, car seats, therapy related products, dance and music lessons, and sports.  The application is short and painless, and even though they can’t provide grants for everyone, you can always try and reapply at a later time.  I also encourage anyone with a few extra dollars to spare to consider fulfilling a grant for someone else.  Click here to check out the grants that need to be filled.  Several are only a $5 donation, and one is giving $50 for a single foster dad to surprise his 6 foster boys with a trip to Disney Land (talk about a heart melter)!

 

2. Foster Care to Success

If you are fostering, or know of, a foster youth preparing for college, Foster Care to Success is the first site I would look at.  They offer several scholarships and grants for educational training, college books, continuing education, and job preparation.  One of my favorite things they do is send student care packages to foster youth who won’t have the experience of receiving a college care package from their parents.  You can donate $100 to send a care package packed full of school supplies, snacks, personal items, and motivational keepsakes.  Not only that, but you can also mail in knitted or crocheted red scarves for their Valentine’s Day care package.  How can you say no to that?

 

3. Rise Above

This one is only for foster children in the state of Massachusetts, but if you live there, it’s an awesome foundation.  Rise Above gives out small grants of $500 for foster children to be able to experience enriching activities and opportunities.  They fund things like new bicycles, music lessons, summer camp registration, and musical instruments.  You can view the full list here.  Foster children deserve to have the same enriching experiences as everyone else, and Rise Above shares that mission.

 

4.  Royal Family Kids

Summer camp can be expensive, but if you’re considering sending a foster child to camp, remember to look into your camp’s scholarship program.  You might also want to consider Royal Family Kid’s Camp.  It’s a week-long, Christian camp just for foster children aged 6-12, and it’s free!  There are local camps throughout the US, so you’ll probably be able to find one near you.

 

5. Together We Rise

Together We Rise is doing a LOT for foster children across the country.  Danny Mendoza started Together We Rise in 2008 when his 9-year-old cousin was living in a car, and he was too young to become a foster parent but still wanted to help.  I’m obviously passionate about foster care, but I tell people all the time that fostering isn’t for everyone.  This is a great organization to partner with if you feel inspired to help, but becoming a foster parent isn’t for you.

 

Check out the ways they help: they give out duffel bags with supplies (Most of the time when kids enter care, all their belongings come in trash bags. One of TWR’s goals is to eliminate the trash bag), they give out bicycles, full scholarships for college to a number of graduating seniors, and they partner with local photographers to provide free adoption photos.  For each of those opportunities, you can make a request or a donation.  If you’re a professional photographer, you can sign up and help families in your area capture their special day.

 

6. Ticket to Dream

The Ticket to Dream Foundation is dedicated to allowing foster children across the nation to just be kids.  They want children to have clothes that fit, gifts under the tree, trips to the zoo, and be able to participate in sports.  They work with families across the country, so you can navigate the site to find help in your area.

 

7. One Simple Wish

The name says it all.  One Simple Wish is focused on bringing hope and joy to children impacted by foster care, abuse, or neglect.  I like browsing the wishes because it gives you a small glimpse into these children’s lives.  You’ll see requests in all amounts for things like “a new laptop for Siabella who is having a tough time” or “the chance to replace some stolen items for Robert who misses his mom.”  Make these kids’ day by granting a wish, or you can also submit a wish by clicking here.

 

8. Becca’s Closet

Becca’s Closet is a nationwide initiative to provide prom dresses for girls who can’t afford to buy their own.  You can start a chapter in your area, donate a dress, or find one for prom.  Not only do they provide beautiful gowns for girls in need, they also have a few scholarship opportunities for continuing education.

 

9. A Home Within

“A Home Within is the only national organization dedicated solely to meeting the emotional needs of foster youth.”  They have created a network of qualified therapists across the country who are willing to see foster children and teens for a weekly, pro-bono therapy session.  Their work is truly amazing, and you can request therapy by following this link.  They also have other resources available on their site to help foster families.

 

10. Advokids

The last one on my list is Advokids.  They provide services to residents of California.  They are the only free telephone hotline to offer legal information for foster children in California.  Their goal is permanency, and they will advocate for children in foster care and work with foster parents to provide quality legal advice.

 

 

For the most part, I tried to focus on grants that are offered nationwide.  In my search, I found amazing scholarships and grants in each state.  I encourage all foster parents to research local opportunities.  They’re out there!