California Court Appointed Special
California Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The organization operates as a statewide association supporting a network of 44 independent local CASA programs across 52 California counties. California CASA serves as the central support structure for these local programs, which provide advocacy and mentoring services to abused and neglected children in the dependency and juvenile justice court systems.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.5M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.6M
+37.8% YoY
Grant Count
44
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$377K
+37.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: California CASA ensures that children and youth in the foster care system have both a voice and the services they need for a stable future.
Vision: Every child in the California child welfare and juvenile justice systems who needs advocacy will have the transformative support of a CASA volunteer.
The organization's primary focus areas include:
- Child welfare advocacy and protection against neglect, abuse, and exploitation
- Civil rights advocacy for vulnerable populations
- Training and support for CASA volunteers
- Technical assistance and professional development for local CASA programs
- Marketing and fundraising support for local programs
- Policy advocacy for effective child welfare practices
Grantmaking
California CASA became a grantmaking organization in 2022 following a $60 million state appropriation over three years ($20 million annually) from Governor Newsom to enhance all 44 local programs and serve more youth.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
California statewide, with support directed to 44 local CASA programs operating across 52 counties throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total Assets: $10,453,724
- Total Revenues: $21,934,045
- Total Expenses: $22,015,221
- Number of Employees: 19
Prior Reporting:
- Total Assets (2025 filing): $13,023,360
- Total Giving: $14,702,361
The organization is supported by a balanced mix of public and private grants and philanthropic contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,453,724 | $10,265,185 | $3,083,055 |
| Revenue | $21,934,045 | $14,378,320 | $3,176,291 |
| Expenses | $22,015,221 | $14,566,418 | $1,619,652 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $455,449 | $236,377 | $2,351 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Casa of Los Angeles County ($3,047,399), Casa of Orange County ($1,780,111), Voices for Children ($1,759,835).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH CARE SE ALAMEDA, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $200,696 |
| ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY MARIPOSA, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $65,965 |
| CASA A VOICE FOR CHILDREN NAPA, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $47,500 |
| CASA EL DORDO PLACERVILLE, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $160,375 |
| CASA OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CONCORD, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $250,918 |
| CASA OF DEL NORTE COUNTY CRESCENT CITY, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $45,886 |
| CASA OF FRESNO COUNTY FRESNO, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $607,257 |
| CASA OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY EUREKA, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $253,671 |
| CASA OF IMPERIAL COUNTY EL CENTRO, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $250,543 |
| CASA OF KERN COUNTY Bakersfield, CA | STATE APPROPRIATION | $524,567 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHARON M LAWRENCE | CEO | 40 | $247,639 |
| JOAN REILLY | CFO & COO | 40 | $168,517 |
| KATHRYN MATTHEWS | CPO | 40 | $168,564 |
| LAUREN BERQGUIST | CPO (Philanth) | 40 | $177,169 |
| ANNE FARRELL | SR STRATEGY ADV | 40 | $133,829 |
| QUINTON BUCKLEY | SR DIR PROG OPS | 40 | $122,362 |
| KEVIN GARDNER | PAST CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MICHELLE GRIFFIN | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| HOWARD SLAYEN | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| ALLYSON PFEIFER | Secretary | 2 | — |
| SARAH DELANEY ROSENDAHL | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| PATRICIA YAMAMOTO TRENDACOSTA | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KATY CARLSEN | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JUNE COLLISON | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| HEIDI DAVIS-SPARGO | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| RENEE ESPINOZA | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| WENDE JULIEN | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARIE KENNEDY | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GEORGE LAI | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CONOR TANIGUCHI | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CLAY YOUNG | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GEORGE SAPP | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| TYRONE RODERICK WILLIAMS | MEMBER | 2 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
California CASA is currently finalizing the third and final year of the three-year state appropriation and working to secure permanent state funding to continue enhanced services across all 44 local programs.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Court Appointed Special fund?
**Mission:** California CASA ensures that children and youth in the foster care system have both a voice and the services they need for a stable future. **Vision:** Every child in the California child welfare and juvenile justice systems who needs advocacy will have the transformative support of a CASA volunteer. The organization's primary focus areas include: • Child welfare advocacy and protection against neglect, abuse, and exploitation • Civil rights advocacy for vulnerable populations • Tr…
How do I apply for a grant from California Court Appointed Special?
California CASA became a grantmaking organization in 2022 following a $60 million state appropriation over three years ($20 million annually) from Governor Newsom to enhance all 44 local programs and serve more youth. **Grant Distribution Model:** • Approximately 80% of annual state funds ($16 million) are distributed to local CASA programs to stabilize and strengthen operations and increase the number of advocates serving children in need • Approximately 20% of funds ($4 million) support centr…
Where does California Court Appointed Special make grants?
California statewide, with support directed to 44 local CASA programs operating across 52 counties throughout the state.
What size grants does California Court Appointed Special award?
In 2024, California Court Appointed Special awarded 44 grants totaling $16.6M — an average of about $377K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is California Court Appointed Special's EIN?
California Court Appointed Special's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0163010. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Court Appointed Special's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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