FRA message from our leadership
As we reflect on 2024, we are proud to share that this has been a pivotal year of transition and progress for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. In the fifth year of Strength to Change Lives, we surpassed our ambitious $100 million national campaign goal, reaching $103 million by March 31. This extraordinary achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our community, and it has fueled our momentum as we continue to improve outcomes for children and youth involved in the child welfare system.
Despite this progress, Canada continues to face unacceptably high rates of reported child maltreatment, and child welfare and protection systems remain inadequate in providing the resources every child needs to thrive. Recognizing the urgency of this reality, we have embraced the lessons learned, both from our successes and challenges, and, with the endorsement of our Board and our network of first voice leaders and advisors, we are proud to launch a fresh new strategic plan to guide our work and accelerate change over the next five years.
In 2024–25, our national influence deepened. Our Safe at Home program, which supports children affected by intimate partner violence, expanded through new partnerships across Ontario and Manitoba, including three Indigenous-led and serving organizations. We also launched new outcomes-based investments to test innovative solutions aimed at improving high school completion rates and increasing post-secondary enrollment and retention for young people in and from care in central and northern Manitoba.
Federal and provincial governments increasingly turned to us for solutions rooted in data and shaped by the lived experiences of young people. We proudly advocated for meaningful reforms on critical issues—including child welfare, education, and mental health—by appearing before Ontario’s Standing Committee on Social Policy and the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.
It was also inspiring to see more young people from care pursuing post-secondary education, with applications for scholarships, bursaries, and awards increasing year over year. This progress reinforces the importance of our work and the impact of our collective efforts.
A particularly significant milestone this year was the conclusion of Stand Up for Kids: Futures Transformed, the largest fundraising campaign for child welfare in Canadian history. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of campaign co-chairs Dougal Macdonald, Bill Butt, and Laura Dottori-Attanasio, we reached an unprecedented $103 million. Their vision and commitment will have a lasting impact, enabling us to invest in what matters most—life-changing outcomes for children and youth in and from care.
Yet, our work is far from done. The gap between government support and the resources young people need to thrive remains wide. Children and youth in and from care continue to face profound challenges and inequitable outcomes in mental health, education, and employment. To significantly reduce disparities between youth in care and their peers, we remain steadfast in our commitment to driving innovative, sustainable solutions rooted in evidence, outcomes, and long-term impact.
We cannot and do not do this work alone. We are incredibly grateful for our partners across the country who are on the frontlines, committed to this vital mission, including the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, our founding partner and the largest child welfare agency in Canada. This year, we were proud to see the appointment of Lisa Tomlinson as permanent CEO. Her leadership brings both compassion and clarity to a sector that needs both.
As we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that every child and youth in and from care has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for standing with us on this journey. Together, we are transforming futures.
Research shows that enrichment activities support mental and physical health, build confidence, and help young people develop identity and connection, especially important for those who have experienced trauma or loss.
In 2023, building on the success and learnings of this longstanding program, CAFC expanded its footprint into the PSE solutions space with the launch of a comprehensive strategy to ensure that no youth from care in Canada is held back by financial barriers in pursuing higher education. The strategy commits us to invest in solutions that will remove financial barriers to post-secondary education through direct grants (scholarships) and by connecting youth from care to existing/available funds (navigation supports). The strategy also commits us to advocate for the removal of financial hurdles and to mobilize more resources from the government for youth in and from care pursuing PSE.
That’s why we were pleased to be invited to make a presentation before the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights as part of their study on aging out of care to highlight the need for equitable access to PSE and the critical navigation supports that help young people connect to funding, services, and opportunities that can shape their future.
This fund helps cover a wide range of education-related costs, from upgrading high school credits and accessing tutoring to covering post-secondary fees, entrance exams, specialized training, and career assessments. It also supports promising students who may not qualify for traditional scholarships or who need urgent assistance to stay in school.
Building on a strong history of engagement with government from partnering to distribute COVID relief funding to contributing to important policy discussions in support of youth transitioning out of care in Ontario, CAFC has increasingly sought to move beyond grantmaking and program co-design, to use our voice, insights, and relationships to help influence the systems that shape the lives of young people in and from care.
In 2024-2025, we celebrate 12 years of the Young People’s Advisory Council (YPAC). Made up of young leaders with lived experience in the child welfare system, YPAC has been at the heart of the Foundation’s commitment to youth voice and lived expertise.
Last year, the 15th annual Joe Carter Classic (JCC) teed up two days of golf, celebrity guests, and generosity at the legendary Glen Abbey Golf Club, in support of Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. The event has raised over $3 million to date, including $211k in 2024-25, helping young people involved with child welfare access to mental health care, education, employment support, and mentorship. Each year, the Joe Carter Scholarship is awarded to youth from care who are pursuing post-secondary education, opening doors to brighter futures.
Teddy Bear Adventure is a July-long fundraising and awareness campaign in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, driven by a dynamic and dedicated committee of young business professionals representing over 20 banks and firms.
A valued supporter since 2014, AMJ demonstrates an unwavering commitment to removing barriers for young people in and from care. For the past five years, AMJ donated a portion of proceeds from Move Month, their annual October campaign, to support our mission. In 2024, Move Month raised an incredible $160,000 to fund programs that help young people not just survive, but thrive. We’re incredibly grateful for all they do children and youth involved from care. 
The 38th annual Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada’s Gala – Teddy Bear Affair was an unforgettable evening of fun and philanthropy, raising $1.8 in support of our mission. Held at the iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the Gala welcomed Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, the Hon. Michael Parsa, as well as philanthropic and business leaders. This year, we were honoured to have Ray Williams and Nicole Stewart Kamanga step up as Gala Co-Chairs. Ray, a financial leader and co-founder of the Black Opportunity Fund, is a champion for equity and community investment. Nicole, a passionate lawyer and CAFC Board Member, has devoted her career to advocating for children and youth. Their leadership played a crucial role in this year’s success. A powerful highlight of the evening was Youth Ambassador Keziah reading from Keziah’s Secret Armour, a children’s book she co-created that reflected her own journey in care. 
For charities across the country, the holiday season is more than a time of goodwill, it’s a vital fundraising period that often determines how much a charity’s ability to meet community needs in the year ahead. Planning our year-end campaign starts months in advance and draws on everything we’ve learned from past efforts to engage our community in meaningful ways.
A legacy gift is a meaningful way to create lasting change, often made through a gift in your Will. It helps ensure future generations have the support they need to thrive. At Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, we’re proud to work with generous donors who choose to leave a legacy that empowers children, youth, and families affected by child welfare. Here we’re celebrating Jim and Judi Patterson, passionate and long-time supporters of the Foundation. 
