Pinky Swear Foundation

Pinky Swear Foundations mission is to help kids with cancer and their families with financial and emotional support. Together, we can alleviate the financial burdens families face during a childhood cancer diagnosis. By doing so, they can focus on what matters most the health of their child.

As one parent recently told us, pediatric cancer is a treacherous journey, and most dont realize the tremendous hit families take to their finances in an attempt to get their child cancer-free.

Pinky Swear Foundation, through the generosity of our partners, supports childhood cancer patients and their families who are facing financial and emotional burdens resulting from a cancer diagnosis and medical treatment. Pinky Swear Foundation provides support to families in four primary ways:

1. Orange Envelope Program - Financial support to families facing the difficult journey of a childhood cancer diagnosis or relapse. Within six months of a child's diagnosis, the program provides timely assistance.

The envelope includes:
- A letter from Pinky Swear Foundation letting them know they are not alone and introducing them to our other family support programs;
- A Visa gift card to be used for gas, groceries, or a local restaurant to help with expenses that increase as the family travels to doctor appointments; and
- Letters of Encouragement filled with bright colors and uplifting words from volunteers.

2. All-Star Fund Program Pinky Swear Foundation provides financial support to families for critical basic needs. Most requests for assistance are submitted through hospital social workers, however online requests directly from families are also accepted. The All-Star Fund program distributes bill payments directly to lenders and gift cards to families. Pinky Swear Foundation All-Star Fund grants assist with critical needs including:

- Stable housing: Rent/mortgage payments, utilities
- Reliable transportation: Auto expenses, gas cards
- Nutritious food: Grocery gift cards
- Unique needs: Travel to vital medical treatments, etc.

3. Pinky Swear Pantries Pinky Swear Foundation collects food donations for a Pinky Swear Pantry at four hospitals - M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital Minneapolis, MN; Children's Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN; Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC; and Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, IA. These pantries provide families free access to healthy meals and snacks so parents can stay close to their child during treatment and save money on food costs.

Founded in 2003, PSF is led by a 19-person Board of Directors, who represent a variety of backgrounds and professions, some of whom have experienced childhood cancer directly or in their families. Our Executive Director leads our team of 14 full and part-time staff.

Pinky Swear Foundation maintains close partnerships with four hospitals throughout Minnesota, North Carolina, and Iowa, as well as hospitals in other locations, such as North Dakota, New York, Wisconsin, and more. Our VP of Programs and team work closely with hospital social workers to ensure that Pinky Swear Foundation can reach families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis, and that families requests for support are vetted before Pinky Swear approval.

Pinky Swear Foundation operates an online application portal for families and hospital social workers. This portal streamlines the application and approval process and increases efficiencies for Pinky Swear Foundation staff. This application is also now translated into many different languages to ensure families from all backgrounds can understand and properly apply for support.

Since 2003, PSF has steadily grown from a small nonprofit serving families in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota, to a $4.5 million+ organization serving families in all 50 states.

We a thrilled to share that in 2023 we served more families than ever before. Last year we:
Grew our Orange Envelope program more than 80%, sending packages to 2,294 newly diagnosed families;
Distributed 922 All-Star Fund grants for financial assistance;
Provided 6,500 individuals access to a Pinky Swear Pantry in the hospital where their child received care.