Fundraising is a critical component of every nonprofit organization providing social services. The recent recession has presented unique challenges to organizations such as BTG.

Government funding for foster care has remained stagnant for years, with foster parents receiving little to no increases in support while the costs of raising children have increased steadily. This makes the BTG mission even more critical. Throughout these challenges, the vision, energy, and dedication of the co-founders and their team of volunteers have sustained the organization.

Bridge the Gap has a history of creativity in approaches to resource generation from the very caring communities of Clark, Skamania, and Cowlitz Counties. For example, BTG leverages a public-private partnership resulting in 10 hours/month of staff time from Vancouver's DCYF Office. Funding resources come from individual donations, corporate grants, and in-kind donations of items, in addition to thousands of volunteer hours. Businesses, community groups, and churches have held drives to obtain clothing, toys, and school supplies for donation to foster kids through Bridge the Gap.

Here are some approaches that BTG has taken to fundraising since its founding in 1999:

The Annual Champagne Brunch

The Annual Happy Gilmore Golf Scramble

Wine and Cheese Pre-Holiday Event

Association with Mattress Firm Ticket to Dream

Grant Writing

General Donations

We are grateful to all of our community members, corporate sponsors, and donors who have participated in all of our fundraising efforts. Your generosity helps to provide children in foster care with necessities for daily living.

As the program heads into its 24th year, BTG leadership is committed to expanding and strengthening its ability to help foster children have more enriched childhoods with a diversity of educational and fun experiences. The vision is to give each child in foster care opportunities that will provide the same sense of self and skill development as those experienced by children who have not lived with abuse and neglect.

90% of Children in Foster Care Experience Severe Trauma