Our Story
About Us
Carrying Forward a Legacy of Love
The NAV Foundation was created in loving memory of Nicole Angela Van Gundy—a devoted mother, fierce
advocate, and compassionate leader in child welfare.
Nicole’s journey was one of unwavering commitment. She and her husband, Brock, fostered 15 children,
providing not only a home but also the love and stability they so desperately needed. Through love, luck and
the foster to adopt program, the Van Gundy family permanently grew by two. The boys’ adoptions secured the
futures that she had fought so hard to give them.
Nicole was more than a foster mom; she was a fierce advocate who shared her experiences to support other
foster parents and agencies. She became a lawyer to fight for children’s rights, striving to reshape the laws that
directly impact adoption and child welfare. Nicole was determined to change the foster care system from
within—winning national competitions in child welfare law, working with judges, and using every opportunity
to advocate for children. She tirelessly gathered resources from classmates for new foster placements, supported
other foster families, and spoke out on the challenges within the system. Her heart knew no limits when it came
to protecting vulnerable children.
Tragically, Nicole’s life was cut short in a car accident. But her work—her passion, her heart—lives on. The
NAV Foundation carries forward her mission: to remove barriers in the foster care system and improve the lives
of the children within it.
Join Us
Nicole believed that change happens when people come together with open hearts and determination. Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply share our mission, you become part of the movement to ensure no child in foster care feels unloved.
Together, we can continue Nicole’s mission. Together, we can change lives.
The 48 Bag
The NAV Foundation’s The 48 Bag initiative ensures that children entering foster care have essential supplies during their transition. Many arrive with nothing, and foster families often struggle to gather necessities in urgent situations. By providing these bags, the foundation helps ease the burden, allowing families to focus on offering comfort and security.
Our Mission
A Future Built on Compassion and Change
The NAV Foundation exists to continue the work Nicole started.
We are committed to:
- Mentorship – Helping children navigate foster care and connecting them with caring, supportive role models to create a nurturing environment where children can grow, heal and thrive.
- Policy Change – Advocating for meaningful reforms to improve adoption and foster care laws.
- Direct Life Improvement – Providing essential support, starting with “The 48 Bag” initiative— ensuring that every child entering foster care has basic necessities for their first 48 hours. Allowing the foster parents and child to focus on what really matters in those critical first couple of days – Loving each other.