Jacqueline Caster’s (’83) Everychild Foundation: a decade of success

Ten years ago, Jacqueline Caster (’83) founded the Everychild Foundation to try a new approach to fundraising that was about real, effective change instead of about overpriced galas. Flash forward to today, and the Everychild Foundation has become an example of efficient fundraising techniques, supporting a new nonprofit project every year. This year, their $1 million grant went to St. John’s Well Child and Family Center for their “Healthy Homes, Healthy Kids” program.

The Foundation’s dedicated members fulfill the organization’s mission to make a difference in the lives of children in need. A group of just over 200 Los Angeles-based women commit $5,000 annually in membership dues, which serves as the basis for the organization’s funds in lieu of costly, time-consuming fundraising events.

“The point is for women to feel empowered by philanthropy,” said Caster in an interview with the Palisadian-Post.

Members can be as involved as they want to be with the Foundation, and there is no hierarchical structure. All members vote on which projects to sponsor.

“We don't fund anything that's going to take a long time,” said Caster. “We want people to get immediate results.”

Other projects have included a universally accessible playground at Los Angeles’ Orthopaedic Hospital in 2006 and a violence intervention program in 2003.

Everychild’s unique model for fundraising has served to inspire seven other similar organizations in California and Nevada, said Caster. She hopes more nonprofits will take the example of the Everychild Foundation.

“Particularly in these challenging economic times, a nonprofit that eliminates pricey fundraising events is particularly appealing for those who want to see their dollars go where they are intended to go,” she said.

The Foundation continues to prove that even in bad times, the dedication of several can make a genuine change for many.

>>View the Everychild Foundation Web site

Reported by Elizabeth Ress