Columbia Foster and Adoption Project

The mission of Columbia Foster and Adoption Project is to support and equip families in the Columbia, Missouri area through the various stages of foster care and adoption. Our 100% volunteer based non-profit provides tangible goods as well as focuses on building relationships amongst foster families in order to strengthen their supports. Annually we host multiple events for local foster and adoptive families.

I Belong Baskets:

Initially entering foster care is one of the most traumatic things a child and their family can face. At a moment’s notice they are asked to pack what belongings they can, if any, and oftentimes don’t even fully understand why they can no longer be with their family. Many of these children have been exposed to things beyond their years. An iBelong Basket is a basket with a purpose to provide comfort to children as they enter the foster care system and to provide important and necessary supplies to support the foster parent or relative caregiver who will be providing for that child. These help ease what is often a scary transition. These baskets all stay in our community or surrounding counties, so you can assure your donation supports a local child and their caregiver. In 2024 we delivered 376 baskets!

The Giving Tree:

The Giving Tree is a program organized each year by Columbia Foster and Adoption Project in Coordination with Great Circle, Cornerstones of Care, Missouri Alliance for Children and Boone and Callaway counties Children’s Division. Foster parents assist the children in filling out Christmas wish lists that residents of the community sponsor to purchase. Wish lists can be sponsored from our website or picked up from The Columbia Mall booth directly. We collect the gifts once purchased and ensure every child receives their presents before Christmas. Gifts were provided for 311 children in 2024.

Halloween Spooktacular:

In 2025 Mizzou Health Staff Council hosted an amazing event in partnership with Columbia Foster and Adoption Project. Each child registered was able to submit a Halloween costume wishlist. Staff and community members purchased and donated toward ensuring every child in attendance left with a bag full of goodies and a new costume from their wishlist. Staff from Mizzou Health decorated and dressed up for a morning of games and goodies. The Halloween Spooktacular provides an opportunity for community building and connection. In addition, this event is an opportunity to reduce holiday stress and financial burden on foster and adoptive families. In 2025, 175 people attended and over 80 children received a new costume.