Impact Report | Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Together, we’re creating brighter futures for children in foster care and juvenile justice across California. Read more for stories from our community, an overview of the children we serve, and the moments that moved us forward.
DEAR FRIENDS,
It’s been another transformative year at California CASA Association.
Together in 2024, we impacted over 19,518 lives – our local programs served 10,844 children, supported 7,582 volunteers, employed 594 staff members, and were led by 498 board members. This does not include the countless families supported by Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers, and the ripple effect these connections have had on their communities.
Over the past year, we’ve continued to strengthen local programs so they can reach more children. Despite unpredictable state and federal funding to our local programs, we are a steady advocate at the state level for funding, support, and services for children in foster care and juvenile justice throughout California. Read on to learn more about how our support is empowering local programs to serve more children each day.
Here at California CASA, we are working toward a future in which every child in California’s foster care and juvenile justice systems has the transformative support of a CASA volunteer. It is our mission to ensure that children in these systems have both a voice and the services they need to thrive. And we could not do this without you – our supporters, our volunteers, and our friends.
Together, we are building a brighter future for children and their communities.
With our deepest gratitude,
Sharon M.
Lawrence, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer, Ret.
Michelle Griffin
Board Chair, Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Strengthening Local Programs Today
for Brighter Futures Tomorrow
Our 44 local CASA programs work tirelessly to support the children they serve. We lighten their operational burdens and expand their capacity by providing strategic advocacy, funding, training, and networking opportunities. Over the past year, our support empowered local CASA programs to grow stronger, speak louder, and serve more children.
In calendar year 2024, we provided:
-
$15,509,565
in grants
-
10,383
hours of technical assistance
-
48
network calls and webinars with 3,391 total attendees
-
8,176
staff and volunteers trained by California CASA
-
3,734
volunteer leads for local programs
So that local programs statewide could:
-
Serve 10,844 children in their communities
-
Recruit, train, and support 7,582 active CASA volunteers who served 389,426 total hours
-
Generate $44,144,809 total revenue
This support from California CASA to the local network is valued at $18,760,201.
IMPACT IN ACTION
“This funding has improved our program’s ability to serve children and families because our bilingual advocate supervisor is able to support more Spanish-speaking children, their families, and their assigned CASA volunteers. He has also increased recruitment by conducting outreach to more of our local Spanish-speaking community so that they gain awareness of CASA. This helps us better serve youth who would benefit from being assigned CASAs who fit their cultural and linguistic needs.”
– CASA of San Luis Obispo
The Children We Serve
In 2024, our 44 local CASA programs served 10,844 children and teens in foster care across the state. That means 10,844 children had the consistent support of a caring adult trained in trauma-informed care and cultural competency. Someone who took them out for ice cream, showed up for their recital, and made sure their voice was heard in court.
Behind each child is a story of resilience and hope for a brighter future.
| COUNTY | CHILDREN SERVED | CHILDREN IN CARE | % SERVED |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALAMEDA | 296 | 1,297 | 23% |
| AMADOR & CALAVERAS | 62 | 170 | 35% |
| BUTTE, GLENN, SHASTA & TEHAMA | 222 | 1,274 | 17% |
| CONTRA COSTA | 174 | 725 | 23% |
| DEL NORTE | 33 | 96 | 33% |
| EASTERN SIERRA (INYO & MONO) | 13 | 22 | 45% |
| EL DORADO | 195 | 195 | 100% |
| FRESNO & MADERA | 249 | 3,128 | 8% |
| HUMBOLDT | 101 | 325 | 30% |
| IMPERIAL | 385 | 416 | 90% |
| KERN | 244 | 2,618 | 9% |
| KINGS | 88 | 401 | 22% |
| LASSEN | 30 | 67 | 45% |
| LOS ANGELES | 952 | 19,823 | 4% |
| MARIN | 88 | 103 | 79% |
| MARIPOSA | 56 | 53 | 98% |
| MENDOCINO LAKE | 64 | 395 | 15% |
| MERCED | 158 | 821 | 19% |
| MODOC | 17 | 47 | 36% |
| MONTEREY | 182 | 273 | 61% |
| NAPA | 93 | 93 | 100% |
| NEVADA | 68 | 80 | 81% |
| ORANGE | 1,056 | 3,433 | 28% |
| PLACER | 417 | 417 | 100% |
| PLUMAS | 13 | 57 | 23% |
| RIVERSIDE | 609 | 5,043 | 12% |
| SACRAMENTO | 237 | 1,910 | 12% |
| SAN BENITO | 29 | 41 | 71% |
| SAN BERNARDINO | 156 | 6,895 | 2% |
| SAN DIEGO | 1,493 | 2,401 | 59% |
| SAN FRANCISCO | 347 | 833 | 40% |
| SAN JOAQUIN | 119 | 1,496 | 8% |
| SAN LUIS OBISPO | 210 | 344 | 60% |
| SAN MATEO | 166 | 172 | 70% |
| SANTA BARBARA | 519 | 641 | 80% |
| SANTA CRUZ | 191 | 175 | 78% |
| SILICON VALLEY (SANTA CLARA) | 364 | 885 | 38% |
| SISKIYOU | 31 | 117 | 26% |
| SOLANO | 108 | 424 | 25% |
| SONOMA | 269 | 530 | 49% |
| STANISLAUS | 120 | 600 | 19% |
| TULARE | 270 | 1,284 | 21% |
| VENTURA | 231 | 635 | 35% |
| YOLO | 119 | 322 | 37% |
Demographics of the children we serve
2024 Holiday Card from a Teen to Her CASA in Merced County
“Merry Christmas! You being my CASA has been great. At this point of time you feel like a mom to me. Looking back at all the memories we created made me realize you were here when barely anyone cared. The hugs you give are welcoming and meaningful. The times you picked up your phone because I had hard times you sat down and listened. Having a wonderful CASA worker / loving mother like you is one in a million for a kid. I was going to give you a gift but you know me, I accidentally spent the money. Hopefully this letter is enough. Thank you for the best memories with us. Merry Christmas.”
CASA Volunteers: In Their Own Words
Our volunteers are at the heart of our work, and we are proud to help local programs recruit, train, and support incredible volunteers like Frank, Carly, and Jalen. Here they share why they feel connected to this work, in their own words.
Frank
“My wife and I had been involved in CASA for many years on the fundraising side. We learned a lot about what CASA does, and I watched my wife, Scottie, volunteer for 25 years. I decided to become a CASA volunteer to give back a little bit since I retired. And I feel that the benefit of having somebody in the court system who looks out solely for the children meant a lot to me. I’ve been very fortunate to do that.”
Carly
“I first became a CASA because I, one day, want to be a foster parent for reunification. So, CASA is an amazing introduction to the dependency court system. The reason I want to be a foster parent is that I want to be the safe place, the safe in-between, and CASA is an amazing way to do that now. I love getting to build a relationship with my kiddo. The way that I see it, anything that I can do to make their experience in the system smoother, I want to be able to do that.”
Jalen
“What do I enjoy most about being a CASA volunteer? I think seeing the growth of the kids you get to work with. A lot of times, when you first get matched with these kids, they are super shy and timid – which is expected, they have been through a lot of things and you’re forming a new relationship. But over time, you get to see them open up and tell you things and confide in you. It’s really an awesome feeling because you get to see that they trust you with what they are going through.”
INSIDE AN OUTING
From CASA of Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama Counties
“Recently, one of our CASAs spent the day with a youth at Turtle Bay. What began as a short visit turned into a full afternoon of discovery and joy.
After a quick look at the indoor exhibits, the youth was drawn outside to play—splashing in the water trough, riding the zip line, and even sitting through the entire 30-minute animal show, fully engaged.
As time progressed, they headed to the picnic tables where the youth clearly told his CASA, ‘I am hungry.’ That simple sentence was a powerful moment of communication and self-expression. He enjoyed every bite of his lunch and then eagerly returned for more exploring, laughing, and learning through play.
He mentioned McDonald’s a few times, and his CASA promised they’d go next week—a small moment of connection and consistency that builds trust.
This visit was more than a fun outing. It reflected the child’s continued growth, his increasing confidence, and his readiness to learn. Each experience like this builds the foundation for a brighter future—and reminds us why having a dedicated CASA makes all the difference.”
By The Numbers
Our budget reflects the third and final installment of $20 million in state funding, including our distribution of more than $15.5 million in grants and centralized services to local CASA programs. We are grateful to our funders and partners as we continue to advocate at the state level for increased funding to support children in foster care and juvenile justice.
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES | 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025 ▼
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE AND SUPPORT | Without Donor Restrictions |
With Donor Restrictions |
Total | Without Donor Restrictions |
With Donor Restrictions |
Total |
| Government Grants | $18,092,374 | — | $18,092,374 | $20,467,284 | — | $20,467,284 |
| Contributions | $1,088,871 | $95,000 | $1,183,871 | $551,251 | $25,484 | $576,735 |
| Investment Income (Net) | $572,192 | — | $572,192 | $667,937 | — | $667,937 |
| Grants | $454,246 | $3,000 | $457,246 | $412,484 | $21,500 | $433,984 |
| Other Revenue | $257,250 | — | $257,250 | $593 | — | $593 |
| In-Kind Contributions | $8,688 | — | $8,688 | $7,020 | — | $7,020 |
| Net Assets Released from Restrictions | $464,646 | $(464,646) | — | $294,624 | $(294,624) | — |
| Total Revenue and Support | $20,938,267 | $(366,646) | $20,571,621 | $22,401,193 | $(247,640) | $22,153,553 |
| EXPENSES: | ||||||
| Program Services | $18,760,201 | — | $18,760,201 | $20,794,883 | — | $20,794,883 |
| Supporting Services | ||||||
| General & Administrative | $616,387 | — | $616,387 | $540,869 | — | $540,869 |
| Fundraising | $736,101 | — | $736,101 | $686,489 | — | $686,489 |
| Total Supporting Services | $1,352,488 | — | $1,352,488 | $1,227,358 | — | $1,227,358 |
| Total Expenses | $20,112,689 | — | $20,112,689 | $22,022,241 | — | $22,022,241 |
| Change in Net Assets | $825,578 | $(366,646) | $458,932 | $378,952 | $(247,640) | $131,312 |
| Net Assets at Beginning of Year | $2,427,551 | $429,146 | $2,856,697 | $2,048,599 | $676,786 | $2,725,385 |
| NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR | $3,253,129 | $62,500 | $3,315,629 | $2,427,551 | $429,146 | $2,856,697 |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ▼
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Cash & Cash Equivalents | $6,468,833 | $5,219,505 |
| Investments | $6,383,999 | $4,627,916 |
| Accounts Receivable | $80,381 | $276,737 |
| Pledges Receivable | $15,000 | $252,500 |
| Prepaid Expenses | $75,147 | $77,066 |
| Total Current Assets | $13,023,360 | $10,453,724 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $13,023,360 | $10,453,724 |
| LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | ||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||
| Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses | $249,270 | $329,402 |
| Accrued Payroll & Related Liabilities | $281,014 | $240,982 |
| Deferred Revenue | $9,177,447 | $7,026,643 |
| Total Current Liabilities | $9,707,731 | $7,597,027 |
| Total Liabilities | $9,707,731 | $7,597,027 |
| NET ASSETS | ||
| Without Donor Restrictions: | ||
| Undesignated | $2,189,955 | $1,475,008 |
| Board Designated Operating Reserve | $1,063,174 | $952,543 |
| Total Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions | $3,253,129 | $2,427,551 |
| With Donor Restrictions | $62,500 | $429,146 |
| Total Net Assets | $3,315,629 | $2,856,697 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | $13,023,360 | $10,453,724 |
Even when funding is uncertain, your support is ensuring every child has someone in their corner.
Together, we’re making sure that every child in foster care has a chance at a bright future.
Thank you for helping us light their way forward.
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