Who is the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption?
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity that is committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. More than 108,000 children are waiting to be adopted from foster care in the U.S. right now. We are racing against the clock to find safe, permanent homes for these young people before they age out of foster care.
How does my gift make an impact?
Your gift powers our work to raise awareness about the urgent need for foster care adoption, advocate for adoption and foster care benefits in the workplace and continue expanding our Wendy's Wonderful Kids® program.
Through Wendy's Wonderful Kids, the Foundation supports the hiring and training of adoption recruiters who serve the longest-waiting children in foster care. These recruiters work with smaller caseloads and partner with other child welfare professionals to find the right family for every child in their care.
A rigorous, national evaluation revealed that a child referred to the program is up to 3x more likely to be adopted. This includes teenagers, children with special needs and siblings, who many unjustly say are "unadoptable." But we have proven that with enough resources, a permanent family is possible for every child lingering in foster care … no matter their story.
This includes teenagers, children with special needs and siblings, who many unjustly say are "unadoptable." But we have proven that with enough resources, we can find the right family for these young people.
With your support, we can fully expand Wendy's Wonderful Kids' impact across the United States and Canada. To date:
WHY IS OUR FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IN CRISIS?
Our nation's child welfare system is being stretched far beyond its capacity as families are devastated by the lasting effects of the pandemic, the opioid crisis and other issues. Nearly 360,000 children are in foster care in the U.S., more than 108,000 of whom have been permanently separated from their family of origin and are waiting for someone to step forward to adopt them.
HOW IS THIS CRISIS IMPACTING CHILDREN?
Last year, nearly 20,000 teens turned 18 or 21 and aged out of foster care without a permanent home. That's more than 50 young people per day! With nowhere and no one to turn to for support, these youth are more likely to experience homelessness, unemployment and other negative outcomes, which can happen to a child without the love and stability of a permanent family.
WHAT CAUSES A CHILD TO BE PLACED IN FOSTER CARE?
Children are placed in foster care after enduring abuse, neglect, parental drug use or other issues, and many have experienced countless layers of trauma, grief and loss in their lives. The unfortunate reality is that many of these children are not returning to their family of origin because it is not safe.
IS MY GIFT TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Donations to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption are in U.S. dollars and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by U.S. law. Tax ID: 31-1356151.
Thank you for choosing to make a gift. Together, we will make a lifetime of impact for children and teens lingering in foster care who need our help the most.
Contact us
1-800-ASK-DTFA
info@davethomasfoundation.org
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
4900 Tuttle Crossing Blvd.
Dublin, OH 43016