It may come as no surprise to hear that for children in foster care, there is no shortage of challenges to be faced. From the trauma of family separation to the instability of life within the system, children in foster care often encounter devastating difficulties even at a young age.
But did you know that your charitable donations, no matter how large or small, can make an essential difference in the lives of these children? Many Arizonians are well-aware of the struggles of foster care but aren’t sure how they can help – especially if they cannot foster a child themselves.
However, donating to an Arizona children’s charity such as the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is a wonderful way to support a better, brighter future for the children that need us most. Here are some of the reasons that every donation to a children’s charity truly matters.
You can ensure that every child has the necessities for everyday life
Unfortunately, many Arizonians assume that families that care for children in foster care receive extensive financial support. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most children in foster care live with unlicensed relatives who receive less than $1 a day for their care. Licensed foster families receive $19 a day. These reimbursement rates to families barely cover the cost of a child’s basic needs.
Your donation helps children in foster care have access to items that most of us take for granted, such as:
- Clothing
- Extracurricular Activities
- Car seats and strollers
These items may seem small, but they represent safety, security, and comfort for a child in foster care.
You can support special programs and services for children in foster care
In addition to supporting our efforts to ensure that every child has the basic necessities, your donation helps AFFCF provide programs and services such as:
- Our Keys to Success program for children preparing to age out of the foster care system
- Tutoring for children in foster care experiencing academic challenges
- Extracurricular activities such as music lessons, sports, art classes, and more
- Specialized equipment and services for children with special needs, including those resulting from their challenging circumstances
- Admission to local museums, theme parks, and other places that a child in foster care may not otherwise be able to go
How do these programs and experiences change a child’s life? When children are given the opportunity to live their best possible life, and with the help they need to thrive, they can grow up to have the happy, healthy, and prosperous future they deserve.
Why a Charitable Donation May Be More Affordable than You’d Think
Not sure if you’re able to donate to an Arizona charity? Thanks to the Arizona Foster Care Tax Credit program, your donation may qualify for a state tax credit. This dollar-for-dollar credit makes it more possible than ever to contribute to our efforts to improve children’s lives in foster care.
Individual filers can qualify for a credit of up to $500, while joint filers are allowed up to $1,000.
Contributing to the Mission of the AFFCF
The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is dedicated to helping the youngest Arizonians, specifically children involved in the foster care system. For more than 37 years, our 501© (3) non-profit organization has worked diligently to improve children’s quality of life in foster care. Over the decades, we’ve been able to award more than $12 million to more than 60,000 Arizona children – and that’s all thanks to the generosity of everyday people like you.
You don’t have to donate a large sum to make a difference; in fact, even small donations help a tremendous amount. From supporting a child’s dreams of enrolling in music lessons to provide them with basic necessities, each dollar makes a difference.
Change a Child’s Life with Your Donation to the AFFCF
Are you searching for an Arizona children’s charity that will truly put your donation to wonderful use? When you give to the AFFCF, you can be confident that your donation directly impacts the lives of children in foster care in our state.
Ninety percent of every donation goes directly back into the program, with the remainder put to use for administrative needs and further fundraising. The Arizona Friends of Foster Children is proud to have been awarded a four-star charity rating from Charity Navigator and the Excellence in Giving Transparency Certificate, both of which honor our cost-efficacy and transparency as a charity.
We deeply appreciate your care and concern for the Arizona children in foster care, and thank you in advance for any contribution you can make. For more information about how to donate to AFFCF (including details on tax deductibility), please visit our online donation page today.
Featured Image: Shutterstock / AnaWhite