Opportunities From: United Way of Central Missouri

Capital City CASA is a volunteer-based organization serving the children in Cole County who have suffered abuse and neglect in the home and those who are removed because of abuse and neglect. 

The purpose of the committee is to assist staff and board members in creating a self-sustaining organization that leverages available community resources to serve all eligible children with a CASA volunteer.  This will be achieved through special events, awareness-building initiatives, and other avenues to increase local support. 

The 5-8 member committee will be comprised of 2-4 community members, 1-2 staff members, and 2 board members.

 

Role and Responsibilities will include:

• Review all previous year fundraising activity and make recommendations for improvements for the new fiscal year.

•Work with staff to determine annual development budget.

• Create a fund development plan.

• Develop an annual calendar for the committee’s activities, including critical dates, milestones, and required board actions

• Engage in networking and advocacy for the organization.

• Participate in annual special events and other fundraising activities. 

• Cultivate relationships with current and prospective major donors and funders and develop individualized strategies to cultivate or strengthen those relationships.

• Identify and cultivate relationships with current and prospective corporate sponsors, devise sponsorship packages, and work with staff and Board to develop relationships.

• Along with Executive Director, meet with current and prospective major donors and funders (foundations and corporations).

• Tap respective networks for potential donors of money, time and in-kind support.

• Monitor & support fundraising efforts to be sure that ethical practices are in place, that donors are acknowledged appropriately, and that fundraising efforts are cost-effective. 

• Attend and participate in regular Fundraising Committee meetings

• Contribute financially to the organization at a level meaningful to the individual

• Come prepared to participate and engage

 

Time Commitment

• 1-2 hours per month (include meeting and outreach events) 

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a caring, consistent adult who stands alongside a child who has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers gather information from those involved in the child's life—teachers, doctors, foster parents, daycare providers, and others—and use that knowledge to advocate for the child’s best interests in court.

They get to know the child personally and speak on their behalf, especially when the child is too young or overwhelmed to speak for themselves. Their role is not just to observe, but to amplify the child’s voice and ensure their needs are heard by the juvenile court judge.  For juvenile court judges, CASA volunteers are their eyes and ears in the community.

Children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to receive necessary services, experience fewer foster placements, and reach a safe, permanent home sooner.

Now more than ever, CASA volunteers are urgently needed. With frequent changes in the child welfare system, important details about a child’s situation can fall through the cracks. A CASA volunteer helps ensure that it doesn't happen.