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
1985
Executive Director
Mrs. Ingrid Todt
Main address
621 W. University Drive
Rochester, MI 48307 USA
EIN
38-2608775
NTEE code
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 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Register now
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
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
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.
Special Response
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.
Enhancement Services
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.
Scholarship Program
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.
Where we work
Awards
4 Star Rating 2022
Charity Navigator
2021 Top Rated NonProfit 2021
Great Non Profits
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
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
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four 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.
To be recognized as a model of best practices programs.
To achieve long-term financial stability through endowments, grants, and donations.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
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.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
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.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
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
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
Who are the people you serve with your mission?
The Rainbow Connection grants wishes to Michigan children (ages 2-18) with life threatening medical conditions.
-
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
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, Suggestion box/email,
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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,
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
Our families were surveyed and told us that they would like to continue to "meet" via Zoom for the foreseeable future. We had intended to begin meeting with them in person again but they tell us this manner of communication is more efficient for them and saves valuable time.
-
With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board,
-
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
Wish families share their feedback regarding their actual wish. Their feedback helps us to improve future wishes but since they will not participate in a subsequent wish it cannot change their experience.
-
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 act on the feedback we receive,
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback,
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our 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.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild 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.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild 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 directorsas of 06/13/2022
Mrs. Rebecca Neuman
Waterford Bank
Term: 2021 - 2023
Rob Bava
Ryan Giacolone
Dan Flynn
Rebecca Neuman
Kevin Schnieders
Board leadership practices
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
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Thanks for signing up!
An email has been sent to the address you provided. Click on the link in that email to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today!
(Don't see an email in your inbox? Click here to resend it.)
GuideStar Pro Reports
Report successfully added to your cart!
Want more data?
A GuideStar Pro report containing the following information is available for this organization:
- Email contact information
- Financial trends metrics for five most recent years 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016*
- Financial statements for 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
- Officer and/or Employee data for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
- Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2020, 2019, 2018
- Board of Directors data for 2022
- *with the ability to download the data for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
Download it now for $125.
Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options?Consider a Pro Search subscription.