Fostering Dreams Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Vallery Mitchell of Dallas, Texas. What began in 2015 as Volley for the Children—a series of charity volleyball tournaments raising funds and essential items for children in foster care—has grown into a full-fledged organization dedicated to uplifting youth and families impacted by the child welfare system.
In 2018, recognizing the need for a broader and more transformative mission, the organization was renamed Fostering Dreams Foundation. Since then, we’ve proudly served over 650 foster youth and 300 foster parents, providing trauma-informed support, community engagement, and empowerment programs—all with no full-time staff and a grassroots spirit.
Fostering Dreams Foundation Named D CEO Magazine's 2025 Micro Nonprofit of the Year
We are incredibly honored to announce that Fostering Dreams Foundation has been named the 2025 Micro Nonprofit of the Year by D CEO Magazine. This prestigious recognition is a profound testament to what passion, purpose, and community support can achieve—even with limited resources.
With an annual operating budget of just $5,000, we’ve remained unwavering in our mission to serve foster youth and families in North Texas with heart, resilience, and intentional impact. Every dollar has been stretched to deliver trauma-informed programs, grief support, mentorship opportunities, and moments of joy and normalcy for youth navigating life in foster care.
This award affirms that meaningful change isn’t measured by the size of a budget—but by the depth of commitment to a cause. We are proud to stand as proof that small but mighty organizations can move mountains.
Thank you to D CEO Magazine for amplifying the work of grassroots nonprofits like ours, and to our community of supporters who make this work possible. This recognition fuels our drive to dream even bigger in 2026 and beyond.
Fostering Dreams Foundation exists to empower and uplift children in the North Texas foster care system and economically disadvantaged communities by providing holistic, trauma-informed support.
We are committed to helping foster youth experience a sense of normalcy, joy, and belonging while in care—through purposeful programming, direct services, and community engagement. Our initiatives include grief support groups for youth, grief-informed training for foster parents, and mentorship opportunities that pair current foster youth with resilient former foster youth who can guide them through their journey with compassion, lived experience, and consistent encouragement.
At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves to be seen, supported, and given the tools to dream boldly. We strive to bridge the gap between grief and healing, isolation and connection—sponsoring not only dreams, but the support systems needed to make them a reality.
As we look ahead to 2026, Fostering Dreams Foundation is committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact in the lives of foster youth and families. To bring our vision to life, we are actively seeking funding support to further develop key initiatives and enhance our organizational capacity.
Our 2026 Goals Include:
Launching New Initiatives We aim to introduce several innovative programs that address critical gaps in support for foster youth, including:
The Birthday Gift Initiative, which allows foster parents to request personalized birthday gifts for children in their care.
A Mentorship & Therapeutic Navigation Program, pairing foster youth with trained mentors to offer guidance, connection, and consistency.
An Annual Gala & Community Awareness Campaign, designed to raise both funds and public consciousness around the unique needs of the foster care community.
Hiring Our First Full-Time EmployeeAs our programs grow in size and complexity, the need for consistent, professional day-to-day operations has become increasingly essential. Funding a full-time Program & Development Coordinator will ensure:
Seamless execution and expansion of our initiatives
Strengthened relationships with foster care agencies, partners, and supporters
Enhanced capacity to pursue grants, organize events, and manage donor relations
Our Immediate Fundraising Needs:
$75,000 to fully fund the development and initial implementation of our 2026 initiatives
$50,000 to cover salary, benefits, and onboarding for one full-time employee for 12 months
With your generous support, we will be able to transition from a passionate volunteer-led organization to a professionally supported nonprofit equipped to make lasting, measurable change. Every dollar invested in Fostering Dreams Foundation helps us get closer to a world where every child in foster care feels celebrated, supported, and seen.
We invite you to join us on this journey of growth, empowerment, and impact.
At Fostering Dreams Foundation, we believe that every child—regardless of their background, placement, or economic status—deserves equitable access to support, opportunity, and belonging. We recognize that foster youth and children from economically disadvantaged communities often face systemic barriers that limit their ability to thrive.
Our commitment to equity means intentionally designing programs that address these disparities—through trauma-informed care, grief support, mentorship from individuals with lived experience, and culturally responsive training for foster families. We center the voices and needs of the children and families we serve, knowing that healing, growth, and dreaming big require both advocacy and action.
Equity is not just a value—it is the foundation of everything we do as we work to create a world where every child is seen, supported, and given the tools to navigate life with hope and confidence.
Organization name
Fostering Dreams Foundation
Causes
Youth & Children
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Johnson, Rockwall, Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Address
123 Bailey Drive