How to Request Funds | CFGALA Support Guidelines

Foster and kinship families receive monies to be used for the basic care of their foster children; however, there are needs that foster children have just like other children that promote success in education, therapeutic benefits and desires to participate in activities. In kinship placements, that is an even bigger stretch because not all kinship placements qualify for support, and the support is a portion of what a foster placement receives. CFGALA raises money to provide the funds needed for items and activities which “help a kid be a kid,” including tutoring, camps, sports activities, and other educational and enrichment programs.

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Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association, court-appointed advocates, at-risk youth, child placement, breaking cycles

Please note that it may take up to seven (7) days for a request to be approved and a check/payment made.

The decision to fund a request is based on the funds available and the history of funds provided. Special attention is given to funds going to kinship placements. CFGALA attempts to approve every request made that fits within our mission.

We have committed to giving a computer (not Chromebook) or tablet to every youth on their 18th birthday. This is given at the birthday celebration at the courthouse.

Funding Guidelines PDF

What We Fund:

Tutoring/academic support
Sports Camps
Scouting
Graduation supplies
Sports Equipment
Music Lessons
Driver’s Education
Field Trips
Dance Lessons
Tickets (Aquarium, Museums, Theatre, Entertainment)
Summer Camp
Specialized Infant and Child Equipment not funded through DSS / Foster Pantry
Preschool Registration Fees

NOTE: Tickets and trips (gas cards) should be for the children in care and caregivers/foster parents; not for extended family members/friends

empowering children, creating brighter futures, school supplies, arts programs, field trips

We cannot fund:

Daycare fees
After school care fees
Gym memberships for minors
Tickets to trampoline parks
Items that cannot transfer with a child if they were to be moved within the foster care network

Completing the Funds Request Form

On the tabs at the top of the website, click on For Guardians, then Funds Request Form or Ticket Request Form or click here.
NOTE that one request can be made for one child. If you have two children, then you will need to request on separate forms. Complete all required fields on the form. Most fields are self-explanatory; however, note the key fields below.
We do NOT refund nor reimburse GALs or foster / kinship caregivers at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What date is payment required?

Is this request being made in time for funds to be provided by the date required? If funds don’t get to the recipient in time, will it impact the purchase or the child’s ability to participate in an activity? If funding is needed to continue an activity or tutoring, this should be done in a timely manner so that we are paying in advance (note that we do not reimburse for payments made).
Who is the check payable to?

This field should indicate the person or group to which the check should be written and the address to which the check should be mailed. Most requests require the name and address belonging to the person or company receiving the funds. In some cases, the check is made out to a person or group but mailed to the GAL for delivery. No checks can be sent to caregivers.
Briefly state how this will benefit the child.

State what the item or activity is and provide some detail as to why it was chosen for this child. What is the potential positive impact it will have on the child? How will the child benefit from this requested activity or item?
Will DSS pay for this item/activity?

For all fund requests, please ensure the activity or item is not one that DSS will cover. CFGALA should only cover those things DSS won’t.

GAL volunteers, charity, children succeed, positive growth, tutoring services

Cape Fear region, nurturing potential, clothing assistance, extracurricular activities, after-school programs

charity, Wilmington NC, child placement, life transformation, arts programs

Best Practices for Funds Requests

Make sure all information provided on the request form is accurate, i.e. name, address, dates, recipient, etc. To ensure accuracy, always confirm with the vendor any information provided by the foster parent(s). Inaccurate information can cause a delay in delivery of funds.
As much as possible, “shop around” and use our resources sheet for an need that is not typically funded by CFGALA or for a less expensive option without impacting the positive benefit to the child(ren).
Help us be good stewards of our money. Follow up on completion of the request with the recipient of the money, not the foster parent(s).
If this request is in future months, is it likely that the child will be in the same placement and be able to participate (such as camps)?
Was any required registration completed and on time, so the child was able to participate, i.e. most classes and camps require prior registration?
Did the child attend and/or complete the entirety of the activity?
Was this item/activity determined to be a positive use of our funds?

SUBMIT A REQUEST

Funds Request Form

Reminders before completing a funds request:

Make sure the vendor information is current and accurate. Inaccurate information will often result in deadline for payment being missed and the child not being able to participate. This is your responsibility.
You are responsible for making sure the monies are used as described.
Allow a minimum of 7 days between the date request is submitted and the date approval is needed.
Please ensure you include taxes and fees in your funds request.

Date of Request

Name(Required)

GAL Email Address(Required)

GAL Phone Number(Required)

County of Court Case(Required)

Kinship or Foster Placement(Required)

If this request includes multiple children, please complete a separate request for each child and note at the bottom (additional information) that they are connected and the total for the entire request.

Child’s First Name(Required)

NOTE: One child only

Last Three Digits Child’s Case Number(Required)

Child's Age(Required)

Child Gender

Items/Activity Requested(Required)

Will DSS pay for this item/activity?(Required)

How will this item/activity benefit this child?

Date of activity or date activity starts

Activity completion date, if applicable

Funding amount requested(Required)

PLEASE note that we do NOT reimburse after payment without prior approval of a request. Include all taxes and fees.

What date is payment required?(Required)

Check payable to

Attention

(if applicable)

Address(Required)

Additional Information

Any additional information such as placement changes, siblings or family/friends also participating, reason for the GAL to ask is helpful to our allocations team

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What We Fund:

NOTE: Tickets and trips (gas cards) should be for the children in care and caregivers/foster parents; not for extended family members/friends

We cannot fund:

Completing the Funds Request Form

Frequently Asked Questions

What date is payment required?

Who is the check payable to?

Briefly state how this will benefit the child.

Will DSS pay for this item/activity?

Best Practices for Funds Requests

SUBMIT A REQUEST

Funds Request Form