2023
LOVE GROWS Annual Report
OUR IMPACT Adoptions Independent Living Advocacy
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 Page 2 Pages 3 & 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Pages 15 & 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19
Founder’s Message – Love Grows Mission & Vision – Love Grows a Dream Cumulative Impact – Love Grows Impact Adoptions – Love Grows a Family Adoption Connection Event National Adoption Month Independent Living – Love Grows Connection Brown’s Harbor Dream Tank Competition Advocacy – Love Grows Leaders National Think Tank The Gala Expansion – Love Grows in Texas Accountability – Financial Growth Our Board – Our Growing Family Our Team 2023 Highlights
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE LOVES GROWS When Ed and I started Selfless Love Foundation in 2015, we set out to transform the child welfare system. Nourished by your ongoing generosity, the organization continues to grow. We are branching out nationally, connecting youth in Texas with our programs, and, with each other. We hosted our first National Think Tank in Colorado, bringing together child welfare experts and youth previously in care to improve outcomes for youth aging out of foster care. A survey of agencies across the state uncovered the need for additional support for families adopting from foster care. Selfless Love Foundation stepped forward to fill the gaps by providing grants to complete home studies and support for families. The results were astounding! Families that had been waiting moved forward with the adoption process, and newly adoptive parents were connected to a community of other families. Heartfelt conversations with older youth in the system alerted us to their concerns about adoption photos. Along with feeling as if they were being chosen based on their appearance, the youth raised questions about their safety. Our advocacy team will address the issue in the 2024 legislative session. Our growing impact is a direct result of your support. Thank you for helping us elevate the voices of youth, bridge the gap from dependence to independence, and give the gift of family. With gratitude,
Ashley Brown Co-founder & CEO
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MISSION & VISION LOVE GROWS A DREAM Life changed forever for Ashley Brown the day she was adopted. The gift of her forever family inspired Ashley’s dream to pay back her blessing. In 2015, Ashley and Ed Brown started Selfless Love Foundation to improve the lives of children in foster care. Since then, the non-profit has initiated systems-level change in adoptions, independent living, and advocacy. Selfless Love Foundation is dedicated to building this legacy with the help of our extraordinary community partners and supporters. Our Mission Selfless Love Foundation leverages resources, expertise, and proven solutions to improve the child welfare system, creating opportunities for more foster youth to find their forever families and thrive in adulthood. Our Vision Child welfare transformed. A world where every child’s dreams can come true. Fostering dreams for foster children.
Ashley Brown’s Adoption Day – June 1987
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CUMULATIVE IMPACT Selfless Love Foundation’s impact extends beyond numbers. Through our statewide and national advocacy, and collaborative relationships with agencies and experts, we are identifying and filling gaps in services. Our efforts are not only transforming the lives of the people we serve, but also the entire child welfare system. Thanks to you, our impact will resonate across generations.
IMPACT SINCE INCEPTION
614
602
1,573
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES SERVED
AGED-OUT YOUTH HOUSED
YOUTH ENGAGED IN ADVOCACY WORK
407
94
11,544
PARTNER AGENCIES
LEADERSHIP & LIFE SKILLS TRAINING HOURS
FINALIZED ADOPTIONS
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LOVE GROWS IMPACT Selfless Love Foundation began a movement in 2019 to elevate the voices of youth, formerly in foster care, to advocate for themselves and system changes. That movement, which has engaged 41 states, is known as Foster Youth Voice Month. Every October, youth rallies and numerous proclamations celebrate the importance of involving youth voice in decisions that impact their lives.
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ADOPTIONS LOVE GROWS A FAMILY Selfless Love Foundation is committed to guiding families along their adoption journey, providing opportunities for children in foster care to find their forever families, supporting partner agencies to reduce barriers to adoption, and raising awareness regarding the need for adoptive parents.
“The staff truly cares, is supportive, and seems genuinely interested and full of joy to hear from you and to listen. They're our lifeline.” – Chelsea Sullivan, Prospective Parent
2023 IMPACT
102 FAMILIES SERVED 65 HOME STUDIES APPROVED 12 PARTNER AGENCIES PAGE 5
ADOPTION CONNECTION EVENT Selfless Love Foundation hosted our first Adoption Connection Event in partnership with Safe Children’s Coalition in Bradenton, Florida. The minor league baseball game allowed us to connect children who are available for adoption with potential families in a fun, low-stress environment. The spectacular day ended with a fireworks display! Your support has led to five potential adoptions, including a 16-year-old who finally has a forever family! Jeanie and Angel Orozco also attended the event with their recently adopted daughter Lola.
“My mom and my dad, my family, they are like my hope. And without hope, you have nothing.” – Lola Orozco (age 15)
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NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH Selfless Love Foundation spearheads National Adoption Month in Florida each year, collaborating with agencies and increasing public awareness about the critical need for adoptive families, particularly for sibling groups and teenagers. We supported celebrations in 12 regions across the state.
“We love life more, we love each other more, and we love them more than we could ever imagine. We are so grateful, humbled, and appreciative of the opportunity to be parents of a big, happy, beautiful family.“ – Elizabeth and Alon Groshar, Adoptive Parents
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INDEPENDENT LIVING LOVE GROWS CONNECTION Selfless Love Foundation provides supportive housing, leadership training, and opportunities to build connections to help youth successfully transition to adulthood. We are helping youth across the state to build life and leadership skills through seminars on creating positive changes, the importance of youthadult partnerships, stress management, and effective communication. Our Town Hall meetings allow youth from all over Florida to come together as a community. Youth feedback drives the topics of these quarterly meetings that also serve as an opportunity to celebrate their individual accomplishments.
“They do a great job of meeting young adults where they are, while providing opportunities to change the trajectory of our lives.” – Christella J., Young Adult, Tallahassee
2023 IMPACT
52 YOUTH HOUSED 648 YOUTH ENGAGED 903 TRAINING HOURS PAGE 8
BROWN’S HARBOR Selfless Love Foundation, in partnership with Children’s Harbor, created Brown’s Harbor to provide supportive housing for young adults who have aged out of foster care. The campus in Pembroke Pines, Florida, provides on-site guidance for youth. Emmanuela came to Brown’s Harbor in 2021. The safe, caring community has helped her on her journey to independence. Emmanuela is a member of the youth council at Brown’s Harbor, a student at Miami Dade College pursuing a degree in English, and works full time for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Emmanuela continues to perform her original spoken word on stage as Cadence The Poet. She showcased her talents as a 2023 Dream Tank finalist and shared her dream to open a poetry lounge.
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DREAM TANK COMPETITION Selfless Love Foundation’s Dream Tank Competition highlights the aspirations of youth in our independent living initiative. The once-in-alifetime opportunity is open to youth across Florida. Along with presenting their dreams and gaining funding to make them a reality, the youth who are selected participate in speech writing and presentation sessions, professional etiquette training, business and investment basics, and connect with professionals in their field of interest. David Lombard won the 2023 competition, receiving a check for $5,000 to further his dream of teaching financial literacy to fellow foster care alums. A special thank you to our judges, Kenneth A. Baboun, Lynda Gordon, and Ed Brown, for generously contributing their time and expertise.
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ADVOCACY LOVE GROWS LEADERS Selfless Love Foundation’s youth initiative, One Voice Impact (OVI), teaches young adults how to use their experience in foster care to change policy. The members are part of a statewide network of youth councils. The network convenes annually to decide on policy priorities for the upcoming year. Leaders from the councils are currently working with our advocacy team to extend services to align with federal law, and to change adoption photo listings. We have gained support in both chambers and look forward to working with state leaders to protect the safety and privacy of children in foster care, and to secure their self-sufficiency. On a national level, governors in five states affirmed Selfless Love Foundation’s youth voice movement, proclaiming October as Foster Youth Voice Month. Our growing National Network of child welfare experts and young adults meets quarterly to identify issues and initiate changes. The majority of the members joined us for our first National Think Tank.
2023 IMPACT
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30
STATES IN NATIONAL NETWORK
36
STATES ENGAGED IN FOSTER YOUTH VOICE MONTH
21
YOUTH COUNCILS IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS
NATIONAL THINK TANK Selfless Love Foundation hosted our first National Think Tank in Broomfield, Colorado, in October 2023. The event brought together young adults who were in foster care, and child welfare leaders from nearly 30 states, to identify effective methods for creating permanent connections. Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago is producing a report on the findings to guide each state as they implement the programs and practices. We look forward to sharing the long-term impact of our National Think Tank.
“The Think Tank experience has been nothing short of transformative. The guidance, mentorship, and collaborative environment have expanded my horizons and encouraged me to think beyond the ordinary.” – Hannah G., Young Adult, Kansas
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THE GALA Selfless Love Foundation’s Sixth Annual Gala was unforgettable! The signature event at The Breakers Palm Beach launched our expansion to Texas. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, The Gala surpassed goals allowing Selfless Love Foundation to impact more youth, families, and policies. Guests connected with our mission as they mingled with youth formerly in foster care and families brought together through adoption. The dance floor came alive as the band performed “We Are Family.”
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EXPANSION LOVE GROWS IN TEXAS Selfless Love Foundation expanded to Texas in 2023 to support the more than 28,000 children in foster care in the Lone Star State. Our first step has been connecting youth who are, or were, in foster care. Through a partnership with the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, we have created four youth councils. As they grow, these councils will meet to share ideas, discuss projects, and identify policy goals.
“Most connections made in life start from the ones you are born with; unfortunately, sometimes those connections wither away and get left behind, but I think it‘s the connections that you choose to make and value that matter most.” – Chloe B., Young Adult, Texas
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ACCOUNTABILITY FINANCIAL GROWTH Selfless Love Foundation takes pride in adhering to best practices for nonprofits. Our overhead expenses are below the recommended best practice of 35%, and program expenses exceed the 65% best practice guide.
Statement of Financial Position December 31, 2022
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Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets December 31, 2022
SLF follows a calendar year. The 2023 audited financials and 990 will be published on our website in summer 2024.
Since our inception, founders Ashley and Ed Brown have donated a portion of staff salaries, along with their time and resources, to ensure that every dollar raised goes directly toward improving the lives of foster children.
Selfless Love Foundation has proven transparency and program success, receiving top ratings from Candid and GreatNonprofits.
For our complete audited financial report for 2022 and our 990 Public Disclosure, please use the QR code.
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OUR BOARD OUR GROWING FAMILY Ed Brown – Selfless Love Foundation Co-founder and Board Chair Lee Applbaum – Former CMO of Wheels Up & Tequila Patrón Hatem Dhiab – Investment Advisor Principal at Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management Shannon McCoy – Yacht Sales and Charter Broker at Worth Avenue Yachts Chad Poppell – Managing Director of Health and Government Solutions at KPMG US Garry Singer – CEO of Clear Sports Mark Tremblay – President of Marc-Michaels Interior Design
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OUR TEAM Selfless Love Foundation values people and believes that their personal experiences within the child welfare system are vital to improving policies and programs. Along with professional expertise, team members bring a personal connection to our mission as foster parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, having been in or had a loved one in foster care. Thanks to your support, in 2023, we were able to expand our staff to include two, full-time members and one, part-time member with personal connections to adoption and foster care.
Dina Santos Youth Specialist
Janessa Collins Advocacy Coordinator
Daniel Remchuk Adoption Connector PAGE 18
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
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OUR VALUES People We are people first, and we want everyone inside and outside our organization to feel like they are part of the Selfless Love Foundation family. Integrity We are honest, open, ethical, and fair. People trust us to adhere to our word and be good stewards of donor contributions; we work hard to earn and maintain that trust. Transformation We are continuously moving forward, innovating, and improving. We act with courage, challenge the status quo, and find new paths to transform the foster care system from the inside out. Collaboration We are intentional about building partnerships with people, corporations, and agencies who share our vision. We believe that by working together toward a common goal, we can change the world for children in foster care.
YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT HAVE ALLOWED OUR MISSION TO GROW
Thank You! SelflessLoveFoundation.org