On average, youth in foster care spend two birthdays in the system.

For most people, birthdays mean cake, laughter, and feeling celebrated.

But for many young people in foster care, birthdays can feel…invisible.

Many tell us those days came and went with no cards.  No presents.  Sometimes, no one even said “happy birthday.”  

One young person shared she can’t remember a single birthday from her time in foster care.

That shouldn’t be normal.

This year, FosterClub is inviting supporters to help change that by pledging their birthdays through its Birthday Buddy program.
 

Turning a Personal Milestone into Shared Impact

Birthday Buddies encourages individuals to dedicate their birthdays to the more than 500,000 young people who will experience foster care this year.

Supporters can choose to:

• Fundraise for their birthday, inviting friends and family to donate in their honor, or

• Make a birthday gift themselves, turning their celebration into direct support for youth in foster care.

Whichever path they choose, participants transform a personal milestone into a moment of community and connection, helping young people in foster care feel seen, valued, and supported not just on their birthday, but all year long.
 

A Simple Way to Make a Meaningful Difference

The process is intentionally simple. Participants sign up, receive tools and guidance from FosterClub, and share their fundraiser leading up to their birthday.

The result is a ripple effect of generosity powered by relationships and grounded in the belief that every young person deserves to feel celebrated.
 

Click here to learn more about becoming a Birthday Buddy and to pledge your birthday.