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The Sunshine Kids Foundation

Dedicated to children with cancer

Houston, TX   |  www.sunshinekids.org

Mission

The Sunshine Kids Foundation's mission is to add quality of life to children with cancer by providing them with exciting, positive group activities, so they may once again do what Kids are meant to do . . . have fun and celebrate life! We look forward to the day when The Sunshine Kids Foundation will no longer need to exist. Until that time, the entire Sunshine Kids family is dedicated to providing the most exciting activities, trips and events for as many young cancer patients as possible.

Ruling year info

1982

Executive Director

Ms. Jennifer Wisler

Main address

2814 Virginia Street

Houston, TX 77098 USA

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EIN

76-0020802

NTEE code info

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

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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?

Sunshine Kids Regional Activities Program

The Foundation's Regional Activities Program takes place year-round reaching out to thousands of Kids with cancer and their families across the United States. Events include holiday parties, teen retreats, trips to water and amusement parks, fishing tournaments, concerts, plays, beach days, sporting events, celebrity meet and greets and many other exciting, fun filled events. Since 1982, these special events have continued to bring smiles, laughter and "sunshine" to thousands of children and thier families in need.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Families

The Sunshine Kids National Events Program gives children with cancer the opportunity to get away from hospitals and treatments for awhile and focus on fun and friendship with others who are also battling cancer.

Each year, young cancer patients from hospitals across the country participate in these unforgettable trips. All trips are provided free of charge to the children and participating hospitals.

Our National Program includes week-long getaways to New Orleans, LA; Honolulu, HI; Beaver Creek, CO; Washington, D.C.; the Texas Hill Country; New York City; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL and other exciting cities across the country.

Population(s) Served
Adolescents
People with diseases and illnesses

The Sunshine Kids Teen Lake Escape is an annual exciting five day trip that brings together children with cancer from hospitals across Texas and Louisiana. Children from surrounding areas such as Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, New Orleans and Baton Rouge attend this trip. Some of the fun activities planned for this event include swimming, skiing, tubing, jet skiing, poolside picnic, bowling, tennis and lunch and dinner at some wonderful Texas restaurants.

Population(s) Served
Adolescents

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

Independent Charities of America 2001

Association of Fundraising Professionals 2009

Texas Medical Center 2021

America's Best Charities 2021

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    The Sunshine Kids Foundation serves pediatric oncology patients from across the country. Our mission is to add quality of life to children battling cancer by providing them with exciting, positive group activities and special opportunities so they may once again do what Kids are meant to do...have fun and celebrate life.

  • 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 strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    Over the past year and in response to feedback from our Sunshine Kids, their families and hospital partners, the Foundation expanded our in-patient program to more pediatric oncology patients in hospitals across the country. Through these fun and interactive activities, hundreds of children with cancer have been able to escape the isolation brought on by a cancer diagnosis to enjoy having fun with others who share a common bond. Last year, we also received an overwhelming call for help from our families. Many of our parents were faced with coronavirus-related job loss or pay cuts. In response, we expanded our Holiday Giving Program and began to provide additional resources to our families including gift cards for groceries, school supplies, clothing and other necessities.

  • 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

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

The Sunshine Kids Foundation
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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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

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The Sunshine Kids Foundation

Board of directors
as of 02/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Bret Sanders

Sanders Morris Harris

Michael Abbott

Texas State University, Ret.

Carol Alvarado

Texas State Senator

Tom Carruthers

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty

Akara Forsyth

Pain Management Specialist Innovative Pain Solutions Centers

Andrew Sacks

Producer

Bret Sanders

Sanders Morris Harris

Jerrie Short

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Craig Taffaro

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department, Ret.

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 4/20/2021
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

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data