Grants for Foster Care Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Grants for foster care are one of the most searched—and misunderstood—topics in the nonprofit funding world.

Every month, people from across the U.S. type in phrases like “grants for foster care organizations,” “funding for foster youth programs,” or even “how to get grants to help foster families.”

And yet, most of them miss out on thousands—sometimes millions—in available grant dollars.

Why?

Because the y don’t know where to look, how to apply, or how to frame their foster care program in a way that funders can’t ignore.

Let’s fix that.

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Why Foster Care Is One of the Most Fundable Nonprofit Sectors Right Now

If you run a foster care organization, nonprofit, or community program supporting vulnerable children—you are in demand.

Funders love programs that focus on:

Family stability and reunification
Youth aging out of foster care
Trauma-informed care
Education, mentoring, and tutoring for foster kids
Wraparound services for foster families
Faith-based foster support networks

The reason?

These programs align with major foundation priorities like child welfare, youth development, racial equity, and mental health.

Just look at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Programs, and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption—they’ve awarded millions to organizations doing exactly what you’re doing.

On the federal side, you have opportunities through Title IV-E, Family First Prevention Services Act, and Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grants.

You’re not underqualified. You’re just under-informed.

Let’s change that.

Who Can Apply for Foster Care Grants?

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to be a large agency with a million-dollar budget to get funding.

These grants are available to:

Nonprofits (501c3 organizations)
Faith-based organizations
Community-based agencies
Mental health and counseling providers
Schools and after-school programs
Housing providers serving foster youth

Even new organizations can qualify—if you have a clear mission, track record (even if small), and a well-written grant proposal.

Pro Tip: Funders want to see impact, clarity, and accountability. That’s where great grant writing makes all the difference.

Where to Find Grants for Foster Care

Finding the right grant is 80% of the battle. Here’s where to start:

1. Private Foundations

Use sites like:

Candid/Guidestar
Foundation Directory Online
Instrumentl
GrantStation
FundsNet

Search terms to use:

“foster youth support”
“child welfare programs”
“transitional youth services”
“family stabilization grants”

2. Federal and State Grants

Look at:

Grants.gov
SAM.gov
State Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Popular programs include:

Family First Prevention Services Act grants
Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF)
Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood

3. Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

If your program has a faith component, don’t overlook:

The Mustard Seed Foundation
Christian Community Foundation
Local church foundations
Diocesan grant programs

What Funders Look for in Foster Care Grant Applications

Every grant application is different, but here are some key elements that funders consistently prioritize in this space:

1. Clear Problem Statement

Describe the needs of foster children in your area. Use data like:

Number of children in care
Aging-out statistics
Racial disparities in foster placements
Trauma and mental health challenges

Example: “In our city alone, 43% of youth in foster care age out without permanent housing or a job placement.”

2. Evidence-Based Programs

Funders want to know your approach works. Use phrases like:

“Evidence-based curriculum”
“Trauma-informed model”
“Wraparound services backed by research”

Highlight methods like TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), CBT, or Circle of Security.

3. Strong Community Partnerships

Don’t do it alone. Funders love collaboration.

Mention partners like:

Local schools

Mental health clinics

Housing agencies

Police departments

Churches and faith groups

4. Impact and Evaluation

Funders want measurable results. Even if you’re small, show that you track outcomes.

Use terms like:

“We monitor youth stability over 6 months post-placement”
“We track reunification success rates”
“Each foster family completes quarterly satisfaction surveys”

5. Sustainability

How will your program continue when the grant ends?

Use phrases like:

“We have additional revenue streams through donations and partnerships”
“We’re pursuing multi-year funding”
“We train volunteers to lower program costs”

Real-World Example: A Small Foster Program That Won Big

Let’s take HopeBridge Mentoring, a small nonprofit in Georgia serving foster teens who’ve aged out of the system.

They had:

A team of 3
One van
A budget under $150,000

But they focused their grant proposal on a clear, urgent need—youth aging out of foster care—and positioned their mentoring program as the solution. They highlighted their use of trauma-informed practices and strong partnerships with local churches and shelters.

The result?

They secured $50,000 from a regional community foundation and later received a $100,000 multi-year grant from a faith-based national funder.

What made the difference? Clarity, impact, and storytelling.

✨ Want access to sample grant proposals like theirs? Join the Grant Writing Academy Newsletter and unlock templates, funder databases, and prompts to help you write winning grants every time.

Bonus: 5 Foster Care Grant Opportunities You Can Apply For This Year

Here are just a few live or recurring grant programs that support foster care:

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Grants
- Focus: Finding adoptive families for children in foster care
- Amount: Varies
- https://www.davethomasfoundation.org
Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Focus: Child welfare reform, family well-being, and youth opportunity
- Amount: Varies
- https://www.aecf.org
Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Federal)
- Focus: Youth aging out of care (ages 18–21)
- Amount: Up to $1 million per state, distributed locally
- Apply through state agencies
The Walter S. Johnson Foundation (CA and NV only)
- Focus: Transitional-age foster youth
- Amount: Up to $150,000
- https://www.wsjf.org
Local Community Foundations
- Many give to foster care if tied to education, housing, or family services.
- Search Candid.org for foundations in your region.

Don’t Miss Out—These Grants Go Fast

Most grants for foster care have specific deadlines, limited application windows, and strict eligibility requirements. Waiting too long could mean missing out for the year.

The best way to stay ahead?

Join the Grant Writing Academy Newsletter for weekly grant alerts, AI writing prompts, proposal strategies, and expert funding breakdowns for child-focused nonprofits.

Final Word: If You Serve Foster Youth, You Deserve to Be Fundedfoster

You’re doing some of the hardest and most important work in the world. Don’t let paperwork, overwhelm, or lack of information block your mission.

You don’t need a full-time grant writer or a giant staff. You need the right strategy—and a few proven tools.

We’re here to help with that.

Subscribe to the Grant Writing Academy Newsletter now and get weekly insights to grow your grant income and expand your reach.
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