Human Services

The Rainbow Connection

Kids.Wishes.Hope

Rochester, MI   |  www.rainbowconnection.org

Mission

The Rainbow Connection makes wishes come true for Michigan children with life threatening medical conditions. In addition, we provide support services to eligible wish families in need.

Ruling year info

1985

Executive Director

Mr. George Miller

Main address

621 W. University Drive

Rochester, MI 48307 USA

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EIN

38-2608775

Cause area (NTEE code) info

Human Service Organizations (P20)

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

Cancer (G30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The Rainbow Connection makes dreams come true for Michigan children with life threatening medical conditions. In addition, we provide support services to eligible wish families experiencing financial difficulties.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Wish Program

The Rainbow Connection makes dreams come true for Michigan children with life threatening medical conditions. Offering comfort, hope and joy, The Rainbow Connection also provides emergency services, annual Wish Family events and lifetime of support.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth (0-19 years)

The Rainbow Connection’s primary mission is to make dreams come true for Michigan children with life threatening medical conditions. However, through our 35 years of being involved with TRC wish families, many of our TRC wish families experience other burdens resulting from this medical crisis. The Special Response and Connection Program is designed to address unexpected and unplanned financial expenses. Our Wish Department staff are sensitive to the special needs of our wish families and will provide support services and resource connections for such things as utility bills, medical equipment, needed household appliance failures and other referrals as needed.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth (0-19 years)

The Wish Enhancement Program is designed to provide fun opportunities to the wish child and their family. Enhancements include tickets to concerts, sporting events, the theater, and the circus. It is an opportunity for the family to share laughter and build memories during this most difficult time. These special events are supported by donations from individuals and corporations and area entertainment centers. Through the generous support of area entertainment centers our wish families are able to have those outings that all families look forward to. A special feature of our enhancement program are the holiday parties and summer picnics planned just for wish families. These festive events get the families together outside the hospital setting. Families connect with each other gaining support and guidance from each other and often building lifelong friendships.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth (0-19 years)

The Rainbow Connection Scholarship Fund was established by our Board of Directors to support the educational goals of our wish recipients. Dependent upon the availability of funds, scholarships will be for $1,000.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth (0-19 years)

Where we work

Awards

4 Star Rating 2019

Charity Navigator

Affiliations & memberships

Charity Navigator 4 Star Rating 2019

Photos

Videos

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

Volunteers are essential to the functioning of our organization. We utilize volunteers on a regular basis for organization oversight, at fundraising events and other office activities as needed.

Number of wish referrals

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth (0-19 years),People with cancer,People with diseases and illnesses

Related Program

Wish Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

Wish referrals are made by doctors, social workers, family members and by self referral. Tracking referrals ensures that we are reaching the population we serve.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Charting impact

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Five powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

To be recognized by the community at large as the leading wish granting organization in Michigan.<br/><br/>To be recognized as a model of best practices programs.<br/><br/>To achieve long-term financial stability through endowments, grants, and donations.

Install and maintain state of the art accounting and donation documentation software technology systems. Maintain committees meeting regularly to address mission and non profit procedures. Evaluate each service and survey all recipients.

The Rainbow Connection services and budget have more than doubled in the last five years. Staff has been expanded to accommodate the growth and the Board of Directors and over 450 volunteers support the staff of 11.

All actions, revenues and expenses are tracked daily. All service recipients are surveyed. Board appointed committees review and provide guidance for projected growth. Comparative reports are drawn giving five year and up to ten year picture of growth.

Endowment was nonexistent 10 years ago and now has over $1,000,000.00 To truly secure sustainability The Rainbow Connection has a goal of $5,000,000.00 which has not yet been accomplished but is planned for in the next seven years.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is the organization collecting feedback?

    We regularly collect feedback through: electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), case management notes, constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees.

  • How is the organization using feedback?

    We use feedback to: to identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, to make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, to strengthen relationships with the people we serve.

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    We share feedback with: our staff, our board.

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to: it is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback.

Financials

The Rainbow Connection
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

The Rainbow Connection

Board of directors
as of 7/14/2020
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Ryan Giacolone

Dave Anderson

L. Brooks Patterson

Ryan Giacolone

Dan Flynn

Rebecca Neuman

Dave LewAllen

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Keywords

wish granting organization, terminal medical conditions, Michigan, children, life threatening illness