CASA Minnesota

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Martha “Marti” Swanson who was a dedicated Guardian ad Litem, volunteer champion, and passionate advocate for children. 

Through the generosity of Marti’s family and friends, we are honored to establish the Marti Swanson Memorial Fund to continue her legacy of caring for children in foster care. 

If you wish to make a gift in Marti’s memory directed to the Memorial Fund, 
please select the Marti Swanson Memorial designation or add a dedication in her name when making your gift.

At CASA MN, our mission is to serve children and youth in the child protection system by enriching their lives through advocacy, access to resources, and fostering meaningful connections.

We help recruit, recognize and retain volunteer Guardian ad Litem's, to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children during court proceedings. We also seek to enrich the lives of children in foster care through CASA Cares grants that provide opportunities such as technology, camps & extracurricular activities.

Childhood should be a time of bike rides and nature walks, movie nights and story time – not courtrooms and foster care. But for 10,000 Minnesota children, foster care is their childhood. All children deserve the space to be a kid. Play is an essential need when you’re a child. 

CASA Cares is a grant program offered by CASA Minnesota that provides grants to children in foster care for activities and opportunities many consider hallmarks of childhood: a dress for a school dance, a summer-camp experience, a new bike. 

But CASA Cares gives children in foster care more than a material gift. The grant program gives them respite from their stressful and uncertain lives – it gives them moments of joy. CASA Cares gives children in foster care positive memories. 

While children are in foster care, CASA grants provide resources that benefit their personal growth and development that are not funded by any other government programs. CASA Cares Enrichment Grants can provide up to $500 per child per year. Since the program began in 2016, CASA Minnesota has distributed more than $140,000 in grants to kids. 

Your donation will make a long-lasting difference in the lives of youth. On behalf of every child that we serve, thank you for your generosity.