PLATINUM2023

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

Mrs. Ingrid Todt

Main address

621 W. University Drive

Rochester, MI 48307 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

38-2608775

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.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
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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

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

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

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

Where we work

Awards

4 Star Rating 2022

Charity Navigator

2021 Top Rated NonProfit 2021

Great Non Profits

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, 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.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

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

To be recognized by the community at large as the leading wish granting organization in Michigan.

To be recognized as a model of best practices programs.

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.

Endowment was nonexistent 10 years ago and now has over $3,000,000.00 To truly secure sustainability The Rainbow Connection has a goal of $10,000,000.00 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 your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting 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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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • 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 08/31/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Kevin Schnieders

EDSI

Term: 2023 - 2025

Rob Bava

Ryan Giacolone

Dan Flynn

Rebecca Neuman

Kevin Schnieders

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 ? Not applicable
  • 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

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/18/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

No data

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 08/31/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.