Friends of Children in Foster Care Program

The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) empowers, supports and advocates for foster, adoptive and kinship families across Iowa. One of the programs operated by IFAPA is the Friends of Children in Foster Care program. This program provides Iowa foster children with the funds they need for those special “extras” in life which they would otherwise not receive. The maximum grant request limit is $200 per child, per fiscal year. IFAPA’s fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30.

 

How is this program funded?

All of the funding for the Friends of Children in Foster Care program comes from community grants and personal contributions. MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

IFAPA T-Shirt Fundraiser

IFAPA has created a t-shirt to represent all of the great families in Iowa that make a difference in the lives of children currently or formerly in foster care. All of the proceeds from t-shirt sales will help IFAPA’s Friends of Children in Foster Care program which is solely funded by community grants, personal donations and IFAPA fundraisers. For more details on the shirts, click here.

Order shirts with a credit card

Order shirts with a check or money order

 

What type of items will the Friends program fund?

Grants are only available to children currently in Iowa's foster care system.

Items that will be covered by the Friends program include:

• Sporting activity fees (registration fees for t-ball, etc.)
• Sporting equipment costs (helmets, pads, gloves, cleats, etc.)
• Swimming lessons
• Summer camps (1 week maximum)
• Music instruments & lessons
• Tae Kwon Do / Dance / Gymnastics fees
• Prom attire (dress or tux rental)
• Senior/class trips
• Class ring
• Senior pictures
• Graduation expenses (cap & gown, announcements, yearbook)
• College application fees

Items NOT covered by the Friends program include:

• Medical expenses
• Basic clothing needs
• Furniture
• Child care
• Bicycles
• Funds for a car purchase
• Birthday/holiday gifts (including items such as iPods, video game consoles, cell phones, computers etc.)
• Parties (expenses for birthday / graduation events)
• Family passes (i.e. pool passes, zoo/science center passes, etc.)
• Any other items covered by foster care payments

 

How Do I Apply for a Friends Grant?

To be considered for a Friends grant, please complete an APPLICATION and send it along with copies of receipts or invoices to the address listed below. The amount requested needs to be detailed and itemized including the business name and full mailing address. If a check is to be written out directly to a business we need a copy of an invoice. If items have already been purchased and you would like to be reimbursed, a copy of all receipts must be submitted with your application. Applications that are received without receipts/invoices, cannot be processed. If the item(s) requested will be purchased from a major retailer (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.), IFAPA can only reimburse for those items with a copy of the receipt. IFAPA cannot write out a check directly to the major retailer.

PRINT APPLICATION & GRANT GUIDELINES

 

Grant Decisions

Please allow at least 10 business days for applications to be reviewed. You will be notified in writing of the decision by an IFAPA staff member. Decisions will be made on an individual basis. Every item or opportunity that is granted is meant for the child, and must be taken with the child if they leave their current placement.

Applications can be mailed to:

Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association
6864 NE 14th Street, Suite 5
Ankeny, IA 50023

If you have a question concerning an application, please call 800-277-8145 ext. 4 or send an e-mail to ifapa@ifapa.org.