About the Cause: A Message From Our President and CEO

At Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to grow up connected, supported, and able to pursue their full potential. Yet across our country, far too many children and youth involved in the child welfare system continue to face barriers that limit their futures.  

Founded in 1979, we are Canada’s leading foundation supporting children, youth, and families involved with the child welfare system. 

Over the past four decades, our work has evolved. While we continue to fund critical programs meeting young people’s most urgent and immediate needs, we are also advancing a more coordinated, outcomes-focused approach that addresses the root causes of these inequities. Today, we are mobilizing partners across community, philanthropy, business, and government to create lasting, measurable change.  

Guided by Generation Impact, our 2025-2030 strategic plan, we are focusing our efforts in four key areas: strong families and lifelong connections, mental health and well-being, education, and employment. Together, they reflect what young people tell us they need not just to get by, but to succeed and thrive.  

Through a combination of grants, investments, partnerships, and innovative initiatives, we are working to improve outcomes at every stage of a young person’s journey, from prevention and early support to education, career pathways, mental health, and long-term stability.  

Our hope: To change trajectories and ensure that young people from care have the same opportunities as their peers to build meaningful, fulfilling lives.  

We are grateful to our community of supporters who make this work possible. We invite you to join us in this season of transformational and generational change.  

Jeffrey Schiffer, PhD

President & CEO  

Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada