GOLD2022

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer - Oregon & SW Washington

aka Candlelighters For Children With Cancer   |   Portland, OR   |  http://www.candlelightersoregon.org

Mission

Our mission is to provide a community of healing, hope, and light throughout the life-long journey of childhood cancer. We advocate, we educate, we build partnerships, and we foster solidarity for all families experiencing cancer.

Candlelighters provides support for families every step of the way from diagnosis through treatment, providing programs such as emergency financial assistance, an annual family camp, family activities, bereavement support, and a meal program that offers comfort and support for families during a difficult journey. Through it all, we never charge families a dime – ever!​

Ruling year info

1977

Executive Director

Sarah Breece

Main address

6600 SW 92nd Ave Suite 160

Portland, OR 97223 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

93-0682416

NTEE code info

Cancer (G30)

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Candlelighters provides support for families in Oregon and SW Washington impacted by childhood cancer. From diagnosis through treatment and beyond, we provide programs such as emergency financial assistance, an annual family camp, family activities, bereavement support, and a hospital meal program that offers comfort and support for families during a difficult journey. Through it all, we never charge families a dime.

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?

Emergency Financial Assistance

The stress of a diagnosis and treatment plan can be overwhelming.

Having to deal with bills on top of that, should not have to be a worry. We want to help provide as much support as possible, and get families back to focusing on what matters most: their loved ones. When there is less time worrying about paying bills, and more time spent together as a family, we know that can make a difference. Families who need help on any reoccurring bill or a bill that is directly impacted by treatment will be eligible for up to $500 in Emergency Financial Funds. These funds are renewable every year the patient is in active treatment.

Population(s) Served
Parents
Adults

Where Memories Are Made

Every year since 1995 during Labor Day weekend, we have hosted Candlelighters Family Camp for over 250 Candlelighters family members in Eugene, OR. It is an incredible three days filled with laughter, play, connecting, love and healing. Our families come together and get the opportunity to experience the magic of Family Camp while horseback riding, zip lining, swimming, riding go karts and bumper boats, attending campfires, and so much more! It is a great weekend for families to come and create memories.

Candlelighters Family Camp is offered to children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Attendance is 100% free of charge ensuring that all families who are interested in having the Family Camp experience can participate regardless of socioeconomic status or trying to balance medical bills during treatment.

What makes Candlelighters Family Camp unique is that the experience is for the entire family. Parents, siblings and even the child living with cancer enjoy a weekend where the worries of treatments and associated struggles are left behind.

Population(s) Served
Families
Adults

We are in the business of providing smiles and helping families make memories!
Every month, we offer family activities at no cost. Not only do families get to come together and be a part of a close knit community, but they are able to put aside challenges, and just have fun for a day with other families who simply “get it.” Our families have made life long friends and shared countless hours of comradery with those who have shared their journey. Family activities are offered throughout our different branches around the state. Check out our calendar to see what is happening around you!​

Population(s) Served
Families
Adults

Being in the hospital is tough enough. Candlelighters is there for support every step of the way.

We understand that both in-patient and out-patient stays come with their own challenges, and we hope by providing in hospital programs to our families, they can alleviate some of the stress that comes with them. From meals and snacks to cuddly friends that make pokes easier, our programs provide comfort to our families.

Population(s) Served
Families
Adults

To help families cope with the pain and grief of losing a loved one, Candlelighters offers two different activities throughout the year to help during an unimaginable time in a family's life. Meeting and getting to know other families experiencing grief offers strength and courage as well as community knowing they’re not alone. We also offer assistance with funeral costs.

Population(s) Served
Families
Adults

Candlelighters Continuing Education Scholarship Program.

In 1996, Candlelighters For Children With Cancer established the Candlelighters Continuing Education Scholarship Program. We recognize that families can amass overwhelming debt in medical bills after years of treatment, follow up appointments, and on-going medical issues caused by treatment. The journey doesn’t stop for families, and Candlelighters support doesn’t stop either. Financial assistance is awarded to high school seniors or current college students to support their pursuit of a higher education who have previously been or are currently diagnosed with cancer.

Population(s) Served
Non-adult children

The Lumenaries

The Middle is Candlelighters teen support program that offers both a leadership opportunity and a chance to come together with other teens who have been through a cancer diagnosis as well. Our support program is led by our Teen Advisory Board and professionals from the oncology community to make sure we are offering programs tailored to specific teen needs.

Not only do we want to provide memorable activities, but we aim to offer these teens a chance to network and be around other teens who have walked the same path. We offer several activities throughout the year that are open to teens only, and have also started making an impact in the hospital by creating and providing Teen Totes, that will make their hospital stay a little bit easier.

Our teen program is open to any teen that has been diagnosed with cancer and is aged 13-19.

Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Families

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The financial and emotional impact of childhood cancer can be enormous.

2 out of 4 families report considerable to severe household debt as a result of the child's cancer care.

33% of families state that one adult in their household stopped working completely.

6 out of 10 families with children with cancer reported spending between $1,000 and $10,000 a year on non-medical expenses.


Through the generosity and gifts of foundations, partners and donors, Candlelighters For Children With Cancer helps families by providing:

Emergency Financial Assistance to as many as 200 families, $500 annually to help with recurring bills when a family is grappling with childhood cancer; since 2002

A weekend away from treatment through our annual Candlelighters Family C since 2002

Scholarships for college age students who have battled or are battling cancer; since 1993

In hospital hot-catered meals and snacks for as many as 2,000 people annually; since the 1990s

Peer support and networking though monthly family activities and programs; since 1980s.

Our Strategic Plan focuses on both program and organizational growth, in order to effectively serve families while being financially secure and sustainable. Staff and our Board of Directors meet regularly to re-evaluate existing programs and develop new ones. Our current focus is on creating a new Teen Program/Mentorship Program.

In addition to program development, our goal is to build infrastructure in order to grow Candlelighters from a grassroots nonprofit into a strategically focused, efficiently run, donor-centric, high impact organization. To accomplish this, we worked with experts to implement a multifaceted strategic reorganization. This includes the development and implementation of a 1, 2, 3 and 5 year strategic fundraising, marketing and program enhancement plan. We also are focused on a fundraising event audit and strategy, and database optimization plan. Board development and training, along with communications and website-redevelopment are also a key areas of focus.

Our new website is up and running: www.candlelightersoregon.org

We are very capable of meeting our goals. We have completed our Strategic Plan. We have the support of local experts and the dedication of our staff and board of directors, and we are setting ourselves up for success.

We are in year one of our adopted Strategic Plan. Mandate committees comprised of staff, Board members, and outside community supporters have begun meeting and planning for 2017-2018. Infrastructure building is currently taking place and you can see our new website at www.candlelightersoregon.org. We are currently working on improving programs, creating a robust volunteer and internship program, securing financial stability, and creating new and lifelong partnerships.

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 demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • 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 identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • 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 look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, 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

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection

Financials

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer - Oregon & SW Washington
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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

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer - Oregon & SW Washington

Board of directors
as of 06/21/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mollie Worcester

Mary Lou Bradley

Chapter Chair

Robyn Thompson

Chapter Chair

Kimberly Bruhn

Chapter Chair

Meghan Duncan

No Affiliation

Joe Farrar

Intel Corporation

Larry Chadwick

NW Cancer Resource Fund

Jeff Yandle

First Republic Bank

Cory Connors

Landsberg

JP Godfrey

PavelComm

Elizabeth Kraus

InMix Law

Kelsie Storm

Randall Children's Hospital

Melissa Rose

Legacy Foundations

Jeanne Beacham

Delphon

Jackie Costello

Pacific West Bank

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 6/21/2022
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

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 06/21/2022

GuideStar 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

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • 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.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
  • 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.