experience love Let Every Child
God’s Unfailing
2022
2 0 2 2 C H A M P I O N PA R T N E R S H I P P R O S P E C T U S
I N TR O D U C TI O N
beautiful
It is to see what happens when join in a vision larger than any one organization could achieve alone. “The field of orphan care, foster care and adoption enjoys a rare unity and strategic leadership – led by the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). CAFO facilitates shared initiatives involving many of the best organizations in the field, all working together to inspire and equip Christians for effective response for vulnerable children. Unified efforts like that bring far greater impact than when organizations work in isolation or competition.” From article of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, titled “Christian Investment in Orphan Care and Adoption Continues to Climb Dramatically.”
God’s people
The Christian Alliance for Orphans unites the expansive field of Christian commitment to the most vulnerable children for collective impact that will last. Through CAFO, more than 200 respected Christian organizations and 800+ churches join in this coordinated action. We seek to “leave logos and egos at the door” to accomplish far more together than any of us could alone. Our shared initiatives inspire, equip and connect Christians for effective adoption, foster care, and global ministry. Ultimately, we work to see every child experience God’s unfailing love through His people.
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2021 RECAP
2021
What a Year it’s Been We’ve all felt it. For two years, the ripples of COVID have severed human togetherness. The precious word “with” has been torn like never before. But mark this: though novel, this is not new. The very nature of evil is to sunder. It separates humans from their Maker... divides people from one another... and ultimately leaves us estranged even from ourselves. That is what evil always does. Marvelously, God works in precisely the opposite direction. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. He restores our relationship with our Maker. He calls us into fellowship with one another. And He invites us to enter with our neighbor into their need, just as He entered ours. These three great “withs” blaze throughout Scripture. They also burn at the heart of everything you make possible through your gifts to the CAFO community: • Working to provide “More than Enough” well-supported families for each child in foster care in all 3,142 US counties • Inspiring Christians with Orphan Sunday & Stand Sunday in more than 120 countries • Helping orphan-serving ministries worldwide rebuild from COVID • Cultivating 53 locally-led movements in 47 countries through Global Networks And so much more... On behalf of the whole CAFO community, thank you for joining with us in this - laboring together to see every child experience God’s unfailing love! Yes, our world is torn. But because of you, the gospel of God with us is spreading. Christians are working together with one another in effective action. And children are experiencing God with them through the presence of His people.
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As God’s people reflect His heart in action, no one is left the same.
A N I N V I TAT I O N
We invite you to participate in some of the most strategic initiatives coordinated by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Each investment will be highly leveraged with significant support committed by foundations, sponsors, and other funders. The critical support that helps unlock it all comes from people like you!
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The More Than Enough is a community united by our faith and committed to helping churches care for children and families in foster care. Facilitated by CAFO, the Community has a shared strategy to provide more than enough loving homes for every child in foster care—including foster, adoptive, and supported biological families.
More Than Enough For Children and Families Before, During, and Beyond Foster Care in Every County in the Country 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
2021 HIGHLIGHTS In our first operational year, the More Than Enough Support Team has aided the growth of local foster care networks in communities nationwide. This has included excellent resources, personalized guidance and coaching, peer cohort learning groups, training events and more. Thanks to a generous partner, we also awarded $150,000 in small, matching grants to further boost growth and innovation in 15 of these communities.
The MTE Support team will expand and deliver its full suite of training and support services nationwide, aiming to help start and/or grow at least 100 local foster care networks nationwide. This will include: 1) Communications/marketing 2) Fundraising strategy 3) Data/technology 4) Network building 5) Church engagement and support We also aim to launch the MTE “Better Together” Fund to offer competitive matching grants to boost local networks nationwide. Learn more at morethanenoughtogether.org
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E Orphan Sunday began in a small church in Zambia as a day to celebrate God’s special love for vulnerable children and how ordinary Christians can make a difference. Today, this simple vision has is a powerful catalyst for awareness and action across the U.S. and around the globe. 2021 HIGHLIGHTS Our hearts are full of gratitude and joy to see how Orphan Sunday and Stand Sunday reached into every corner of the world in 2021. This year took special significance also as we commemorated the 20th observance of this call to the Church to care for vulnerable children. Orphan Sunday was celebrated in many countries/regions for the first time this year — including Hong Kong, Kosovo, and The Gambia — bringing the number of countries in which Orphan Sunday was observed to 121. Each year we collaborate with international partners to translate content — this year adding Lithuanian, Finnish, Turkish, Armenian, Uzbek, Tajiki, Kazakh, Mongolian, and Cantonese.
Orphan Sunday & Stand Sunday 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
The reach and impact of Orphan Sunday continues to expand year by year. Since its humble beginnings in 2002, the annual observance of Orphan Sunday evolved into many diverse expressions globally. We will continue to expand the reach of Orphan Sunday and Stand Sunday, both in the U.S. and globally—growing a culture of foster care, orphan care & adoption. O R P H A N S U N DAY: $52,000 will fund the creation and distribution of free resources, techology improvements and volunteer managment to support at least 500 international Orphan Sunday events – engaging local churches in local adoption and orphan care. S TA N D S U N DAY: $68,000 will fund the creation and distribution of free resources, techology improvements and volunteer managment to support at least 400 US Orphan Sunday events – expanding U.S. church adoption, foster care, global engagement ministries.
The Global Simulcast features a concert and testimonies – with more than 1,200 local viewings in groups large and small, within countries as diverse as the UK, Kenya, Indonesia, and Japan.
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September 28-30, 2022 Atlanta, GA
C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The CAFO Summit is an unforgettable gathering of leaders passionate for adoption, foster care and effective service to the vulnerable worldwide. It serves to both grow and to guide a true movement of Christians who are leading the church to be God’s answer for children who lack family.
CAFO2022 Summit September 28-30, 2022 Atlanta, GA 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
Each $25,000 will help fund the volunteer infrastructure and instructor costs for CAFO2022 that makes it all possible. 2021 HIGHLIGHTS More than 1,500 people from across the nation joined us at the CAFO2021 in Cincinatti, Ohio and in virtual workshops online.
Each $5,000 will provide scholarships for registration, meals and/or lodging for 15 adoptive and foster families, students and/or international leaders to receive all the learning, inspiration and connections that CAFO2022 has to offer! $25,000 will enable us to package the very best elements of CAFO2022 to enable their use in local gatherings worldwide 1-month after.
The CAFO Summit also receives key underwriting from business sponsors. If you know a business that would be interested in supporting CAFO through Summit sponsorship, write to Elizabeth Wiebe at wiebe@cafo.org.
Access the audio sessions from CAFO2021 Learn more about the CAFO Summit: cafo.org/summit 13
C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The NCMI exists to motivate, equip, and connect churches nationwide in their efforts to grow effective and sustainable foster care, adoption, family support and global engagement ministries.
National Church Ministry Initiative 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
2021 HIGHLIGHTS New resources such as the 7-episode limited podcast series, The Fostering Church Podcast and the short booklet, Effectively Engaging Churches have been produced to provide on-going, easily accessible content to local organizations and churches. As well, we launched our first round of effective church engagement workshops at CAFO2021 in Cincinnati. Another collaborative work was completed in partnership with the Center for Applied Research - the production of the full length book, Mission Wise: Scripture, Science and Caring for the World’s Most Vulnerable. This book is written for missions and outreach pastors of local churches, filled with researchbased and scripturally informed best practices on serving well in a global context. Topics covered include Short Term Missions, Child Sponsorship Programs, Dignity in Storytelling, Forming Strategic Partnerships, and more.
The NCMI will continue to provide excellent support and resources to church ministries nationwide. In addition, we will significantly expand our services through “More Than Enough” - helping local networks and organizations to effectively engage and resource local churches in their communities. This approach will help maximize efforts to engage more churches in foster care around the country while simultaneously strengthening the work of each organization and network. We will provide substantive resourcing, training and coaching to over 150 organizations and local networks collectively representing - and thus impacting - 2,500+ local church ministries. We will do this by providing best-in-class resources and content paired with ongoing learning alongside peer learning groups and expert coaching.
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The CAFO Student Initiative inspires and prepares students for a lifetime of effective service to vulnerable children in the name of Jesus.
The CAFO Student Initiative 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
In 2022, the CAFO Student Initiative plans to graduate 100+ from the OVC Essentials course – equipping each one for a lifetime of well-informed leadership in the field. 2021 HIGHLIGHTS The Student Initiative’s 10-week “OVC Essentials” course continues to train a new generation of leaders, with strong participation in both spring and summer semesters. Meanwhile, 10 students joined the CAFO staff for semester- and yearlong internships, learning deeply as they’ve served.
In addition, the Student Initiative plans to host at least 12 interns in the CAFO team, and provide training and referrals to expand internships in all CAFO member organizations. The Student Initiative will also lay foundation for a new CAFO Fellows Program, providing next-generation leaders the opportunity for a full year of life-transforming service, learning and leadership experience.
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The African American Leadership Council works to inspire and equip African American churches to care for vulnerable children in response to God’s command to “do justice” and care for orphans. 2021 HIGHLIGHTS In a year marked by deep questions, protests and riots, the Council provided godly perspective and wise counsel – helping guide CAFO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the involvement of black churches in foster care.
African American Leadership Council 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
Today, black children are represented in the foster system at rates roughly double their percentage of the population. Black churches and families can play a powerful role helping change this tragic statistic. In 2022, CAFO desires to significantly expand its work serving the foster/adoption/kinship and family support ministries of black churches – including culturally-relevant training, resources and other support. CAFO believes that it will only be possible to achieve “More than Enough” for children in US foster care if black churches play a central role.
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E CAFO unites its members in a powerful combined voice. From social media to radio to print, CAFO champions children the world often forgets.
Advocacy & Education 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
2021 HIGHLIGHTS Again this year, CAFO’s expertise helped shape news articles in major media outlets...provided counsel to Congressional offices and U.S. officials...and informed key national policy discussions. Meanwhile, CAFO’s united voice also helps believers across the field keep their work rooted deep in the Gospel -including the podcast series, Justice and the Inner Life, with 64,100+ listens to-date across more than 50 countries.
CAFO’s first focus is always the role of the church, not government, in caring for vulnerable children. But we also see every day how government policies carry immense impact on children for good or ill, including the ability of Christians to freely serve. CAFO will continue to advocate for wise, effective policies in US foster care, international adoption, and global care for vulnerable children. We’ll also be a strong voice for the importance of faith-based organizations and the conscience rights of Christians serving in public systems. Meanwhile, CAFO’s broad communications campaigns will aim to grow the reach of CAFO’s pro-adoption, pro-foster, pro-family messaging via traditional and social media by at least 25 percent in 2022. CAFO will also execute a major overhaul of its website in 2022, making it even more useful and user-friendly.
Listen to the Justice + the Inner Life Podcast by visiting: cafo.org/podcasts
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The CAFO Global Network harnesses the strengths of CAFO members and expertise across the field to invest in emerging leaders and networks worldwide. The Global Network serves as a hub for curated knowledge, facilitated community, and interconnection among national movements.
2021 HIGHLIGHTS CAFO Global Network equipped more than 2,800 local leaders building networks of churches and NGOs in over 47 nations this year. From mutual learning through indepth quarterly Virtual Collaborate sessions, to 25 locally-hosted Collaborate+ forums in 14 countries, leaders of 53 local networks are equipping churches and NGOs to better serve vulnerable children and families in their own communities around the world.
Global Network 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
$30,000 will expand our coaching program into Latin America, translate a full set of resources and courses into Spanish, and provide live Spanish interpretation for Virtual Collaborate forums throughout the year. $30,000 will provide matching mini-grants for up to 20 locally-hosted Collaborate+ events in countries around the world.
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families improves the quality of care for children at risk around the globe. The Center’s programs help childserving organizations to integrate best practice models and current research into their programs aiding children and families in more than 100 countries.
2021 HIGHLIGHTS In 2021, CAFO provided $120,000 in small grants to member organizations to help them develop improved program models in the aftermath of the rapid reintegrations forced by governments during the COVID-19 crisis. One year later, more than 70% of children in the pilot have been able to remain with their families. Data collection for the Adults with Care Experience study resulted in participation from 1100+ respondents in more than 50 nations. The 2021 OVC Applied Research & Best Practice Symposium focused on serving children with disabilities. The on-demand format was intended to be used by teams, and more than 90 organizational teams joined from 40+ nations.
The Center on Applied Research For Vulnerable Children and Families 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
CAFO’s “Core Elements” has established first-of-its-kind standards for organizations in the field. In 2022, CAFO will launch an improved version of the self-assessment, as well as produce at least four training modules to help organizations rise to improve the quality of care they provide. In 2022, the Center will publish results of a landmark study titled, “Strengths of Adults Separated from Parent Care as Children.” We anticipate the study will expand knowledge of “what makes a difference” in childserving programs…and how to improve these programs worldwide. CAFO also aims to award up to $100,000 in small grants to help researchers evaluate promising practices in CAFO member organizations.
This year, the Center published six research studies in academic journals, all designed to boost understanding of critical issues in the field and faithbased contributions, including COVID response.
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The Development & Discipleship Initiative expands Christian adoption, foster and orphan care worldwide by helping child-serving ministries build more effective fundraising programs. In partnership with Mission Increase, this highleverage investment provides world-class development training coaching and resources to CAFO’s 200+ member organizations. Participating ministries learn to shift from “transactional” fundraising to an approach that truly cares for and nurtures Christian givers as disciples of Jesus.
2021 HIGHLIGHTS
Development & Discipleship Initiative 2 0 2 2 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
By the end of 2022, we aim to invest substantive fundraising training and coaching in at least 125 child-serving organizations. We seek measured results demonstrating meaningful culture change in these organizations, from a “transactional” to “discipleship” approach to development, as well as a 10X ROI on the funds invested in this initiative (>$1.25 million in expanded funding for trained/coached organizations).
In the initiative’s second year, member participation doubled as CAFO invested directly in helping expand the development programs of more than 100 organizations through teaching and coaching. We also launched a pilot for a new facilitated peer-connection group program with participation from fundraising leaders from 16 member organizations who now meet regularly to offer each other community, encouragement, and support.
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C A F O I N I T I AT I V E S
A B O U T A F F I L I AT E S & PA R T N E R S H I P S CAFO Affiliates support a shared vision to “defend the fatherless”. These business and advocacy agencies support and enhance the work of CAFO member organizations and churches. Affiliates affirm a commitment to CAFO’s Core Principles in all dealings with the Christian Alliance for Orphans
Strategic Partnerships & Affiliates S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
In 2022, CAFO aims to continue growing deeply meaningful partnerships with businesses nationwide. We always seek to help businesses achieve “triple bottom line” results -- including the reputational benefits of earned goodwill, employee satisfaction in being part of a compelling mission for children, and the opportunity to benefit foster youth locally and orphans worldwide. 2021 HIGHLIGHTS Christian Community Credit Union and CAFO teamed up to help credit union members make a big difference for the world’s most vulnerable children. These two leading Christian organizations have paired their strengths to make a bigger difference together. CCCU aims to help their members extend the impact of their generosity for vulnerable children, both near and far. Meanwhile, CAFO will help connect CCCU members with initiatives in which trusted Christian ministries worldwide work in unison to provide love and belonging for vulnerable children and families.
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A N I N V I TAT I O N
The need of our world can be overwhelming. But a single number matters more than any other...
one loving person forever. It only takes
to change the life of a child
God’s people are rising for orphaned children and foster youth around the world. Every dollar given between now and December 31 will be doubled up to $350,000.
D O N AT E O N L I N E
D O N AT E B Y M A I L
cafo.org/with
Christian Alliance for Orphans 6723 Whittier Avenue, Ste 202 Mclean, VA 22101
100%
All CAFO administration costs are covered by sponsors, so 100% of your donations go to fuel CAFO initiatives that grow and guide effective care for children.
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LEARN MORE:
cafo.org