SeriousFun Children's Network

SeriousFun Children's Network Vision
A world where every child with a serious illness will find belonging, experience joy, and realize their full potential.

Pillar 1 - Expand our mission and impact: We will reach and engage more children and families* through new programs, partnerships, service models, technologies, and other opportunities within and outside of our existing camps and partner programs.
❑ Create new opportunities for existing camps and programs to more deeply engage and reach more children and families.
❑ Create opportunities outside of existing camps and programs to reach more children and families.
❑ Expand our target audience to share our expertise to the benefit of more children and families.


Pillar 2 - Increase brand awareness and fundraising: We will increase brand awareness and fundraising for SeriousFun and explore how these two functions can work together most effectively to reach our goals.
❑ Increase and diversify revenue streams to support financial sustainability and strategic priorities.
❑ Increase and amplify global recognition of SeriousFun Children's Network.
❑ Improve supporter and donor engagement.


Pillar 3 - Enhance organizational and operational excellence: We will amplify the benefits of operating as a networked organization; promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at each level of the Network; and support the safest and highest-quality camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families.
❑ Capitalize on and amplify the benefits of our federated organizational model.
❑ Embed a DEI positive culture into each level of the Network.
❑ Advance safety and quality standards and practices.
❑ Embed financial sustainability into Support Center and Member Camp strategy and financial management practices.

SeriousFun has an extremely compelling mission and along with a high degree of credibility. Donors, funders, and supporters continue to be inspired by the mission of the Network, describing it as “inspirational" in a highly competitive philanthropic environment. The work of the Network remains as relevant today as it was when the very first camp opened 30 years ago. The story of Paul Newman and his leadership continues to resonate with stakeholders and is reinforced by a high level of observed credibility in the work of member and partners. The quality of programming and the Criteria Assessment process allows the SeriousFun Support Center and all of our camps and programs to maintain and support excellence and quality. Cooperation, collaboration and trust throughout the Network and among stakeholders is at the highest level in the organization's history. Member camps and program partners are committed to working towards common goals and sharing mutually beneficial strategies to improve and enhance the collective work we do together related to programming, brand and mission awareness, development and fundraising, financial sustainability, capacity building, and leadership cultivation.

Since the first camp, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, opened in Connecticut in 1988, the camps and programs of SeriousFun Children's Network have delivered more than 1.5 million life-changing camp experiences to children living with serious illnesses and their families throughout the world, totally free of charge.