Sebastianstrong Foundation
Discovering Hope for Kids with Cancer
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Pediatric cancer research is drastically underfunded. Treatment protocols are outdated, extremely limited, toxic, and often ineffective. Additionally, there is an enormous need for an increased public awareness of the problem.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Research Grants
SebastianStrong's focus is on funding cutting-edge pediatric cancer research. We aim to fund research that focuses on less toxic & more targeted treatments & cures - from finding ways to make chemotherapy treatment less toxic & more effective, to finding ways to teach the body to fight cancer. Projects are selected through a rigorous review process by our Medical Advisory Board.
Awareness
SebastianStrong works to bring awareness & knowledge of childhood cancer to the general public as well as childhood cancer families through awareness, educational, & volunteer activities. We routinely educate the general public through guest lectures/presentations at schools & community events. We also participate in family/patient activities at local hospitals. We offer volunteer activities, which allow participants to get involved in increasing awareness & knowledge of the cause. We also provide scholarships to high school seniors pursuing STEM careers to encourage growth in the field and to feed the well of future researchers.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of research studies funded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of organizations applying for grants
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average grant amount
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The dollars reflected here are actual dollars paid out each calendar year. Total amounts granted are closer to $500K/year but paid over 2-3 year agreement based on progress of research.
Average number of dollars received per donor
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total dollar amount of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of donors retained
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are rough estimates as we changed CRM systems in 2021 and lost some critical data in the integration.
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of new donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Related Program
Research Grants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are rough estimates as we changed CRM systems in 2021 and lost some critical data in the integration.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn 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?
Our Foundation aims to increase the public's awareness of the need for funding research in order to find less toxic and more targeted treatments and cures for pediatric cancers. Additionally we seek to raise money in order to fund cutting-edge research in this field.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Strategies involve participating in speaking engagements in the community in order to increase awareness, as well as hosting events ranging from dress down days to a 5K and Gala in order to raise necessary funds, as well as seeking out partnerships and sponsorships with local, state, and national organizations and corporations. One of our largest fundraisers is a kayaking event, Kayaking the Keys for a Cure, where a team of paddlers kayaks from Key Largo to Key West in order to raise awareness and funding for research.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a diverse Board of Directors composed of well respected, capable, and connected men and women who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the fight against pediatric cancers. The passion and dedication of our supporters and sponsors is our most valuable asset.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
SebastianStrong Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is raising awareness of childhood cancers and funding research for less toxic, more targeted childhood cancer treatments and cures. SebastianStrong was founded in 2017 to honor the life of Sebastian Ortiz (2000-2016) and his courageous 14-month battle with rhabdomyosarcoma. Since then, the Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to fund new and cutting-edge medical research across the country in the hopes of one day eradicating childhood cancers. The Foundation also provides financial support to assist kids and their families with the hardships of battling cancer.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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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 inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, 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, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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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.
Sebastianstrong Foundation
Board of directorsas of 09/06/2023
Taylor Binder
IntraFi
Term: 2021 - 2024
Alexander Sueiro
PAAST
Frank Gonzalez
BDO
Oscar Ortiz
SebastianStrong Foundation
James McAllister
Former Banking Industry Executive
Armando Lapido
iHeart Radio
Ramon Branger
Branger_Briz
Jose Cueto
International Finance Bank
Taylor Binder
IntraFi Network
Javier Vazquez
Berger Singerman LLP
Rebecca Mendez
Stearns Weaver
Kelsey Weaver
FinTech Entrepreneur
Michael Percy
Crowe LLP
Leo Gonzalez
Crowe LLP
Jasmine Ortiz
Sebastianstrong Foundation
Braulio Ortiz
BioTeknica
Yesenia Moreno
New Edge Associates
Martha Guerra
US Century Bank
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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 ? Yes -
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? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 09/06/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.