Pinky Swear Foundation

Together we can say ‘yes’ to every family that hears the words “your child has cancer.”

By providing financial support for housing, food, and transportation, families can focus on what matters most – their child.

Through the generosity of our partners, Pinky Swear Foundation supports childhood cancer patients and their families in three primary ways:

1. Pinky Swear Orange Envelope Program - Financial support to families within six months of a child's diagnosis or relapse.

The envelope includes:
- A letter from Pinky Swear Foundation letting them know they are not alone and introducing them to our other 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. Pinky Swear All-Star Fund – Financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utility payments, groceries, gas, and car payments. The All-Star Fund distributes bill payments directly to lenders and gift cards to families.

3. Pinky Swear Pantries – Supporters host pantry drives and donate to-go meals and snacks for Pinky Swear Pantries 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.

Pinky Swear Foundation is grateful for the donors and supporters who make supporting families facing childhood cancer possible. Founded in 2003, each supporter carries on the original pinky swear between our founder Mitch and his parents. We continue to be focused on inviting folks into the mission of helping kids with cancer and their families through various channels.

As for our programs, Pinky Swear Foundation maintains close partnerships with social workers across the country. Because of their support, our team is able to provide immediate support when a child is diagnosed. Our Vice President of Programs works with those social workers to ensure requests for support are vetted before Pinky Swear approval.

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

A Pinky Swear Endowment fund was established and looks to future and sustainability of the organization. It grows each year, reminding us of the stability we have to move towards our goal of saying ‘yes’ to every family who hears the words “your child has cancer.”

Pinky Swear Foundation is led by a dedicated 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.

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 2024 we served more families than ever before. Last year we:
– Sent 2377 Orange Envelopes to newly diagnosed families;
– Distributed 725 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.