The announcement was formally made by the national advocacy organization as preparations accelerate for "A National Celebration of Joy," a highly anticipated gala scheduled to take place at Washington, D.C.’s historic Howard Theatre. The gala was established specifically to shine a spotlight on national changemakers, dedicated youth advocates, and the powerful coalitions that drive the Children’s Defense Fund’s ongoing mission to protect and uplift children.
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, emphasized the profound significance of the award and the appropriateness of bestowing it upon Casey Family Programs during such a milestone year for both organizations.
"The Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award is CDF’s highest honor, recognizing servant leaders whose advocacy and partnership have made a demonstrable difference in the lives of children, young people, and families," said Rev. Dr. Wilson. "This year, the award has been renamed in honor of our Founder and President Emerita, Marian Wright Edelman, making it even more fitting that we recognize an institution whose footprint on child welfare in America is as vast and enduring as Casey Family Programs."
As the nation’s largest operating foundation focused safely on reducing the need for foster care while simultaneously improving the overall safety and well-being of children, Casey Family Programs stands out as a titan in the child welfare landscape. Established nearly six decades ago in 1966 by United Parcel Service founder Jim Casey, the Seattle-based organization has spent generations working tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front lines to transform how vulnerable children and families are supported.
Today, Casey Family Programs is led by President and CEO William C. Bell, Ph.D. Under Dr. Bell’s strategic direction, the foundation oversees nine field offices across the country and leads a dedicated staff that works hand-in-hand with youth, families, and professionals directly embedded within the public child welfare system. Their overarching mission centers on providing and improving care while ultimately striving to prevent the need for foster care entirely by fostering safe, stable, and nurturing environments where children can thrive within their own families and communities.
Rev. Dr. Wilson praised Casey Family Programs for its visionary approach to child well-being and its decades-long, historic partnership with the Children’s Defense Fund. This partnership has consistently positioned the foundation as an invaluable ally in national advocacy efforts, thought leadership, strategic investments, and a shared, unwavering commitment to the nation’s youth.
"It is our privilege to honor Casey Family Programs as the first institutional recipient of the Marian Wright Edelman Award," Dr. Wilson stated. "For 60 years, Casey Family Programs has been building Communities of Hope to ensure more children grow up safely at home. Working in all fifty states, their mission is to provide and improve — and ultimately prevent the need for — foster care. Casey Family Programs is one of CDF’s most enduring institutional partners in advocacy, thought leadership, investment, and a shared commitment."
The upcoming gala at the historic Howard Theatre promises to be a night of profound reflection and celebration, bringing together prominent advocates, community leaders, philanthropists, and youth champions from across the country. By gathering at the iconic venue located at 620 T Street NW in the nation’s capital, attendees will reflect on decades of progress while recommitting themselves to the ongoing struggle for child equity, justice, and well-being.
The event is slated for Thursday, November 5, 2026, with the formal dinner and program scheduled to commence at 7:00 p.m. As leaders from the Children’s Defense Fund, Casey Family Programs, and other allied organizations gather under one roof, the evening will underscore the power of institutional collaboration in tackling some of the most complex and pressing challenges facing American families today.
Through decades of shared dedication, organizations like the Children’s Defense Fund and Casey Family Programs continue to pave the way toward a future where every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, healthy, and hopeful. The presentation of the newly renamed Marian Wright Edelman Advocate for Joy Award serves not only as a celebration of past achievements but as a powerful reminder of the work that remains to be done in safeguarding the rights and well-being of the next generation.
