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Wonderfund Can Help!

Thank you for all the work that you do every day!

We are here to help you serve every child with an open DCF case, both at home and in foster care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Funding is available to all youth with an open DCF case — both children and teens at home and in foster care. 

Every DCF case worker can apply for funding by completing our quick and easy Wonderfund enrichment application (Foundant).

We encourage you to apply for funding for every child on your caseload!

Not sure if an activity qualifies? Ask your Gatekeeper! 

 

Helpful links:

Please reach out to your Area Office Gatekeeper to request more essentials!

 

Essentials may include:

  • New, large duffel bags
  • Seasonally appropriate clothing, pajamas, socks and underwear
  • Hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap)
  • Period kits
  • Textured hair care kits
  • $50 Visa gift cards for youth who experience home removal (to purchase any additional necessities they may need)

 

The above inventory varies. If your supplies are running low, please reach out to your Area Office Gatekeeper. 

 

The Access Card is mailed by the DCF Central Office to every active foster home in the month of December.

If an active DCF foster parent needs a Wonderfund Access Card, please have them email [email protected]. Be sure to include their full name and mailing address. 

Yes! Wonderfund provides free YMCA memberships for both youth in foster care and living at home. To apply:

 

Youth in foster care (including youth in kinship and pre-adoptive homes)

  • Using the Wonderfund Access Card, youth in foster care (18 & under) are able to receive one year access to any alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs location.
  • Foster parents must accompany their foster children to their local YMCA. Present the Wonderfund Access Card and a valid ID at the welcome desk to register foster youth eighteen and under for one year free access. The registration process must be repeated each year.
  • Currently, foster family biological children are not eligible for this offer.
  • At this time, congregate care facilities are not eligible for this offer. 
  • If youth in foster care would like to participate in activities not covered by the annual access (ex. swim lessons), funding is available through the Wonderfund!
  • Flyer to give to foster parents who would like to access this benefit

 

Youth living at home

  • The Wonderfund can help pay for an annual membership, camp or activity at any YMCA for any child or teen with an open case that is not in foster care. 
  • Simply apply using Foundant (Wonderfund enrichment application) 
Activity and Camp Funding
Emergency Essentials
Holiday Gift Drive
Access Card & YMCA Memberships
MOS Benefits
Share your Experience!

Apply for Activity and Camp Funding

Funding is available to every youth with an open case — both children and teens at home and in foster care. 

Take two minutes and we will send your client to camp! Or music lessons! Or sports lessons! Or certifications and trainings! 

Every DCF case worker can apply for funding by completing our quick and easy Wonderfund enrichment application (Foundant).

We encourage you to apply for funding for every child on your caseload!

Not sure if an activity qualifies? Ask your Gatekeeper! 

Helpful links:

Emergency Essentials

The Wonderfund stocks closets in each Area Office with necessities for you to grab to bring to children on your caseload in need. 

Types of necessities provided:

  • New, large duffel bags
  • Seasonally appropriate clothing, pajamas, socks and underwear
  • Hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap)
  • Period kits
  • Hair care and skin care kits for Black and Brown youth

The above inventory varies, if your supplies are running low, please reach out to your Area Office Gatekeeper. 

The Wonderfund has inventory of hygiene kits and Bombas socks available. Request them through your gatekeeper!

There are $50 Visa gift cards in every Area Office for youth who experience home removal for any additional necessities they may need. Contact your Area Office Gatekeeper. 

Wonderfund Holiday Gift Drive

Every child with an open case, both at home and foster, are eligible to receive gifts from the Wonderfund Holiday Gift Drive. 

  • Every child on your caseload is eligible to fill out and submit a holiday wish list to be fulfilled by individual and corporate sponsors. 
  • Holiday Drive 2025 Information Packet
  • The Wonderfund also provides each area office with loose toys and gift cards for teens and other children whose wishlists are not otherwise fulfilled.
  • Starting in September, we encourage you to contact your area office holiday gatekeeper. (Note: this might be different from your Area Office Gatekeeper)

Wonderfund Access Card & YMCA Memberships

Wonderfund Access Card benefits are available for foster, kinship and pre-adoptive families. 

Wonderfund Access Card:

  • The Wonderfund Access Card provides free and discounted opportunities for foster families statewide.
  • The Access Card is mailed by the DCF Central Office to every active foster home in the month of December.
  • If you are an active foster parent with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, please email [email protected] to request a Wonderfund Access Card. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. 
  • Current list of Access Card Partners. 

 

YMCA Membership:

Youth in foster care (including youth in kinship and pre-adoptive homes)

  • Using the Wonderfund Access Card, youth in foster care (18 & under) are able to receive one year access to any alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs location.
  • Foster parents must accompany their foster children to their local YMCA. Present the Wonderfund Access Card and a valid ID at the welcome desk to register foster youth eighteen and under for one year free access. The registration process must be repeated each year.
  • Currently, foster family biological children are not eligible for this offer.
  • At this time, congregate care facilities are not eligible for this offer. 
  • If youth in foster care would like to participate in activities not covered by the annual access (ex. swim lessons), funding is available through the Wonderfund!
  • Flyer to give to foster parents who would like to access this benefit

 

Youth living at home

  • The Wonderfund can help pay for an annual membership, camp or activity at any YMCA for any child or teen with an open case that is not in foster care. 
  • Simply apply using Foundant (Wonderfund enrichment application) 

Museum of Science Benefits

Youth in foster care (including youth in kinship and pre-adoptive homes)

Note: Museum of Science is not associated with the Access Card. 

  • The Museum of Science offers free unrestricted admission for DCF foster families.
  • Active foster families are invited by email twice yearly to register for free admission to the Museum.
  • When registration is confirmed, the Wonderfund and Museum inform the families of their benefits.
  • Learn more about our partnership with The Museum of Science here

 

Two kids playing with bubble tubes at children's museum

Share a story!

We want to hear about your positive experiences with children on your caseload and the Wonderfund. These experiences are so important for us to hear! Click here to write or record your story!

Please do not fret about not sharing your story perfectly. Any insight into Wonderfund’s impact is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Share a story!

Additional questions? Reach out to your Area Office Gatekeeper or the Wonderfund at [email protected]

For DCF internal use only