Communicating with foster carers and providing them with adequate financial support and assistance hasbeen identified as important in the recruitment of new foster carers. In Sweden, such support can beprovided by local authorities, private agencies, or public intermediary organisations formed throughinter‐municipal cooperation. Through interviews with inter‐municipal organisations, local authorities, andfoster carers, this article examines the costs associated with fostering and the types of support foster carersvalue. It also explores how the involvement of a third actor—an inter‐municipal organisation—impacts thesecosts and the support provided. The findings show that foster carers seek to avoid financial loss due tofostering and attribute different meanings to various forms of financial support, which may help them tonegotiate additional compensation. Moreover, some relationships linked to the fostering role are perceivedas burdens or costs, requiring support to manage. As a third actor, inter‐municipal organisations providefoster carers with assistance in managing the costs associated with the fostering role.