Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Cancer is a community-wide reality. It does not discriminate by age, gender or race. Cancer is a disease that brings about fear, sadness and loss. When children are diagnosed with cancer - much of their childhood is stripped away. Additionally, Brevard and Indian River Counties do not have pediatric oncologists, meaning 100% of all childhood cancer cases have to travel throughout the state of nation for critical treatment. \n\nCandlelighters of Brevard, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer and their families by offering emotional support and financial assistance. Serving Brevard and Indian River Counties, we are committed to ensuring no one has to face the diagnosis of childhood cancer alone.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Treatment Center Allotment Fund
A large portion of funds raised by Candlelighters of Brevard is provided to our families to pay for the exorbitant costs of gas, tolls and transportation to and from cancer centers and hospitals during crucial treatment times
Utility Assistance Program
Provides financial assistance to cover utility bills so the parents of the diagnosed child can focus on treatments and not bills.
Where we work
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of families served in cancer treatment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Treatment Center Allotment Fund
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
This program provides funds for trips to treatment centers outside of Brevard or Indian River County for clinic, outpatient, or in-patient appointments related to the childhood cancer diagnosis.
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?
Candlelighters of Brevard, Inc. is a non-profit organization offering emotional support and financial assistance to children with cancer and their families in Brevard and Indian River counties. We are dedicated to the children we serve and the families that support them. We know that in addition to the shock of diagnosis and treatment, there is a tremendous financial burden, an endless amount of travel, and an overwhelming emotional impact. A parent should never have to choose between being with their child when they need them the most or paying their bills. Too many families are weighed down by financial burdens at the worst time of their lives, as they try to save their child\u2019s life. Candlelighters is committed to ensuring that our local children and their families have the support and resources they need in order to fight back.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The organizational strategy is direct operational execution of delivering the critical programs / services needed by our current Candlelighter families via financial support. The executive staff provides monthly checks to each COB family in the amount needed for the services/programs used. The forms take into account the number of clinic visits, in-patient stays, transportation costs, prescription drug purchase receipts, etc. The staff preforms follow-up calls to hospitals and social workers to verify family forms in order to protect donation dollars spent on these programs. The organizational and financial strategies are overseen by the board of directors.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The staff and board create, plan and executive on the organization\u2019s SGP (Strategic Growth Plan) and goals each year. Our funding sources include but are not limited to the following: Community, corporate and private donations; fundraising events and initiatives; grants; resale shop; endowments; planned giving; investments; in-kind support; memorials; crowdfunding and social media; and more
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2020, Candlelighters was able weather the impact of the global hardship faced by everyone. Candlelighters was strategic in working with our donors in being able to fully fund all of our programs and services. Additionally we were able to send support checks to help alleviate the added financial burden our clients suffered due to COVID. Candlelighters welcomed a higher and than usual 20 new clients in 2020, as we normal average 12-15 annually. We strive to continue providing programming for nearly 80 families battling pediatric cancer in Brevard and Indian River Counties.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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.
Candlelighters of Brevard Inc
Board of directorsas of 03/15/2023
Brendan McCarthy
Three Bridges Planning
Term: 2010 -
Ross Whitley
Tracey Latshaw
Jim O'Brien
Mark Mikolajczyk
Stephanie Brown
Linda Parker
Sandy Burge
Tony Diana
Kim Downs
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: