Alice's Kids

Goal: $2,000.00

Specific Need

In one of the wealthiest regions in the nation, 15.8% of children qualify for free and reduced lunch, facing financial barriers that limit their access to basic educational and developmental opportunities. These children often lack essential resources like school supplies, clothing, and funds for extracurricular activities, leaving them excluded from experiences that foster academic success, social connection, and emotional well-being. Alice's Kids addresses these disparities by providing discreet financial assistance to meet specific needs, ensuring children can participate fully alongside their peers. By supporting Alice’s Kids, donors help create a more equitable community where every child has the chance to thrive.

Mission

Alice's Kids supports school-age children living in poverty by providing anonymous financial assistance that will enable them to participate in education, recreational, and social activities and programs that they otherwise could not afford, thus boosting their self-esteem and enabling them to thrive and participate confidently in daily life.

Profile

Founded by Ron and Laura Fitzsimmons in honor of their mother, Alice, the organization was inspired by the siblings' own childhood experiences of poverty and the emotional pain of feeling "different" from peers. Alice’s small efforts to provide new clothes or haircuts gave them a sense of normalcy and confidence, a principle at the heart of Alice's Kids' mission.

Alice’s Kids focuses on addressing needs often overlooked by other charities, such as new shoes, prom tickets, musical instrument rentals, and school supplies. Teachers, social workers, and shelter staff submit requests online, which the organization processes within 48 hours. Assistance is provided discreetly, allowing caregivers to present the support as their own and preserving the dignity of the children served.

Since its humble beginnings in Northern Virginia in 2011, Alice’s Kids has expanded its budget from $14,300 to $1.3 million in 2024, supporting children in every U.S. state. In 2024 alone, the organization assisted 10,407 children, reflecting a growing referral network and efficient processes.

Alice’s Kids has garnered national attention, including coverage by The Washington Post and donations from celebrities such as Steve Carell and Patton Oswalt, who contributed $250,000 from his "Celebrity Jeopardy" winnings. The organization has received the George H.W. Bush “Points of Light Award” and other prestigious honors.

Alice’s Kids remains committed to empowering children with the confidence to thrive by meeting their essential needs quickly and with dignity, ensuring they never feel left out or "different" due to circumstances beyond their control.