What enCourage Kids Foundation does

enCourage Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 1985 and headquartered at 1560 Broadway, Suite 600, New York, NY. The foundation partners with more than 330 pediatric hospitals across all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico to humanize healthcare for hospitalized children and their families, with programs organized around four pillars: Joy, Hope, Resilience, and Healing. Core programmatic offerings include the cornerstone Send a Smile, Send a Bear initiative (co-developed with FAO Schwarz, with individually wrapped bears meeting hospital infection-control standards, priced at $35 per bear, and over 37,000 bears delivered since 2009), Hospital Comfort Kits (over 60,000 funded at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital), Party-in-a-Box kits, and the educational Teddy's Adventures children's series. The foundation funds and sustains signature in-hospital programs at major academic and community partners, including KidZone closed-circuit TV at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital (since 2005), Music Therapy at Blythedale Children's Hospital (over $130,000 since 2013), the Artist in Residence Program at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (since 2010), NICU Music Therapy at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, a VECTA Deluxe Mobile Sensory Station at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, and Pediatric ER renovations at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. It also runs the Camp Pontiac Annual Family Weekend respite retreat.

Revenue is generated entirely from philanthropic sources: individual one-time and recurring monthly donations via website, phone, and mail; $35 Send a Bear unit donations; institutional grants (e.g., a $200,000 Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant in February 2022 for a new Mental Health Support Program); corporate sponsorships and volunteer engagement (e.g., Samsung Day of Service, the enCouraging Comfort corporate kit-building program); and a calendar of fundraising events including the Annual Golf Outing (23rd edition scheduled July 20, 2026), Starry Night Gala, TCS NYC Marathon Team EKF, Ride for EKF, and Run for EKF, supplemented by peer-to-peer fundraising via Hakuapp. The foundation operates with a small team of 1-10 employees led by President & CEO Michele Hall-Duncan (23+ year tenure) and Board Chair Joseph Wessely (30+ year tenure), with execution further supported by long-tenured individual volunteers, a Young Professionals Board, and dedicated Child Life Specialist contacts at each hospital partner.

Name

enCourage Kids Foundation

Legal name

enCourage Kids Foundation

Website

https://encourage-kids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

enCourage Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with 330+ pediatric hospitals across 50 U.S. states to deliver comfort kits, music and art therapy, sensory equipment, and direct-to-patient programs that humanize healthcare for hospitalized children and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Healthcare Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Infant/Early Childhood Consultation (0–5) (EDACAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Pediatric hospital programs
• Child life services
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Music therapy programs
• Hospital comfort kits

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations (One-time and Recurring Monthly): Direct donations from individuals via the website (encourage-kids.org/donate), phone (212-354-2878), and mail. Recurring monthly donations are actively promoted as a "reliable base of support" for sustained pediatric programming.
2. Send a Bear / Send a Smile Program Donations: Unit-priced giving where each $35 donation provides a hospitalized child with a plush enCourage Kids bear delivered nationwide. Bears are individually wrapped and sealed to meet hospital infection-control standards.
3. Institutional Grants: Restricted and unrestricted grants from health-focused foundations; example: a $200,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation in February 2022 to develop a mental health support program for children and teenagers in hospitals.
4. Special-Event Fundraising (Gala, Golf, Marathon, Ride, Run): Revenue from annual fundraising events including the Starry Night Gala, Annual Golf Outing (23rd Annual on July 20, 2026), Team EKF runners in the TCS NYC Marathon, Ride for EKF, and Run for EKF, plus peer-to-peer fundraising pages.
5. Corporate Sponsorships & In-Kind / Volunteer Engagement: Corporate partnerships providing both funding and volunteer labor (e.g., Samsung Day of Service, corporate "enCouraging Comfort" kit-building projects); revenue mix combines cash sponsorship with in-kind contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

enCourage Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds pediatric hospital programs, supplies, equipment, technology, and physical enhancements for 330+ hospital partners across 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. The foundation delivers direct-to-patient programs including the Send a Smile, Send a Bear plush initiative (co-developed with FAO Schwarz, 37,000+ bears delivered), Hospital Comfort Kits (60,000+ kits funded), Party-in-a-Box kits, funded hospital programs (Music Therapy, Artist in Residence, KidZone TV, VECTA Sensory Stations, Pediatric ER renovations), an annual Camp Pontiac Family Weekend, the Teddy's Adventures educational series, and a Mental Health Support Program for hospitalized children and teens.

Product overview

enCourage Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (operating since 1985) that delivers a portfolio of interconnected charitable programs rather than a single software product. Its core offering is a Hospital Grants Program that partners with more than 300 pediatric hospitals across 50 states and Puerto Rico, providing over $50 million in supplies, equipment, technology, and physical enhancements — including KidZone TV at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, the Music Therapy Program at Blythedale Children's Hospital, the Artist in Residence Program at CHAM, Pediatric ER Renovation at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and the VECTA Deluxe Mobile Sensory Station at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Layered on top are direct-to-patient programs such as the cornerstone Send a Smile, Send a Bear initiative (delivered in partnership with FAO Schwarz), Hospital Comfort Kits, and Party-in-a-Box kits. The foundation also runs the Camp Pontiac Annual Family Weekend respite program, the Teddy's Adventures educational children's series, and two volunteer engagement programs: enCouraging Memories (individual in-hospital volunteers) and enCouraging Comfort (corporate/community groups assembling kits). In 2022, enCourage Kids added a Mental Health Support Program for Hospitalized Children and Teens, funded by a $200,000 Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant. Funding for all of these programs is raised through donations, recurring monthly giving, fundraising events (golf outing, gala, marathon, Ride for EKF, Run for EKF), and the Young Professionals Board.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Send a Smile, Send a Bear Cornerstone donation-funded program that delivers co-branded enCourage Kids plush bears nationwide to pediatric patients to help them navigate the stress of treatment, illness, and hospitalization. Bears serve as a vital tool in medical play, coping-skill building, and procedure preparation, used by child life specialists, nurses, and doctors. Each $35 donation provides one bear to a hospitalized child.
• Hospital Comfort Kits Themed goody bags filled with age-appropriate distraction items (colorful sippy cups, teethers, books, puzzles, cards, bubbles, journals, beauty supplies) given to pediatric patients to alleviate pain, fear, and anxiety during hospital visits and planned surgeries. Over 60,000 kits funded at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital to date.
• Party-in-a-Box Themed kits of party supplies, decorations, and favors sent to pediatric patients to bring celebration and cheer for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions during prolonged hospital stays.
• Hospital Grants Program Direct funding program providing pediatric hospitals with supplies, equipment, technology, and physical enhancements. Has partnered with more than 300 hospitals across 50 states and Puerto Rico, providing over $50 million in programs and funding and supporting more than 1 million kids annually.
• Music Therapy Program at Blythedale Children's Hospital Multi-modal Music Therapy program at Blythedale Children's Hospital, including individual sessions and weekly group sessions (toddler music groups, Ukulele Club, Early Childhood Center group). Particularly effective for young patients in the traumatic brain injury unit, supporting sensory stimulation, relaxation, pain reduction, and caregiver attachment.
• Artist in Residence Program at Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) Weekly workshops and individual art therapy sessions at Children's Hospital at Montefiore, encouraging pediatric patients to use artistic processes for self-expression. Reduces stress and anxiety and improves pain management through distraction. Includes six-week rotations across CHAM units, including Pediatric Dialysis.
• KidZone TV at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital Closed-circuit television broadcasting entertaining, educational, and therapeutic content at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. Programming is customized based on children's and families' interests, helping patients cope with emotional or physical discomfort. Supported continuously since 2005.
• VECTA Deluxe Mobile Sensory Station at Flushing Hospital Medical Center Transportable multi-sensory station with CD player, projector, fiber optic cables for tactile touch, aromatherapy, and an interactive bubble column with patient-controlled speed and color. Supports non-pharmaceutical anxiety and pain coping during pediatric procedures.
• Pediatric Emergency Room Renovation at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Renovation and equipment funding for the Pediatric Emergency Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, which serves an ethnically diverse and under-served community (25,000 patients annually). Includes child-friendly exam tables, infant scales, total Pediatric ER renovation, monthly entertainers, and pediatric supplies. Supported for 17+ years.
• Camp Pontiac Annual Family Weekend Free annual Labor Day weekend retreat at Camp Pontiac in upstate New York providing pediatric patients, their families, and siblings respite from medical challenges. Activities include basketball, kickball, tennis, arts and crafts, arcade, movies, s'mores, and a big bonfire. Hosted 205 attendees in its 12th year (2019).
• Teddy's Adventures Educational children's comic series featuring enCourage Kids' Teddy bear character. Stories follow Teddy as he helps pediatric patients navigate hospital experiences, preparing children and families for medical visits and procedures.
• Mental Health Support Program for Hospitalized Children and Teens Mental health support program for children and teenagers in hospitals, developed with a $200,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The grant was awarded in February 2022 to create a structured mental health support offering across enCourage Kids' pediatric hospital network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million kids supported annually through 330+ hospital partners in 50 states and Puerto Rico
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• FAO SchwarzflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership with iconic toy brand FAO Schwarz to create a new, high-quality plush Bear for enCourage Kids' "Send a Smile, Send a Bear" cornerstone program. The bears are individually wrapped and sealed to meet hospital infection-control standards and are used by child life specialists for medical play and coping-skill building. Each $35 donation provides one bear to a hospitalized child.
• Mount Sinai Kravis Children's HospitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner of enCourage Kids Foundation since 2005; enCourage Kids funds and supports the closed-circuit KidZone TV channel, which broadcasts entertaining, educational, and therapeutic content customized to children and families' interests. Patients report the channel helps them cope with emotional or physical discomfort.
• Blythedale Children's HospitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner since 2013; enCourage Kids has provided over $130,000 to grow the Music Therapy Program at Blythedale, which is integrated into the hospital's child life program. Particularly impactful for the Brain Injury Unit, where music therapy supports sensory stimulation, relaxation, and caregiver attachment.
• Jamaica Hospital Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner for 17+ years supporting the Pediatric Emergency Department (which treats 25,000 patients annually). enCourage Kids has funded child-friendly exam tables, infant scales, a total Pediatric ER Renovation, monthly entertainers, and pediatric supplies. Tracey Kunj-Ramen is the sole Child Life Specialist on staff.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner whose Hospital Admission and Comfort Kits (colorful sippy cups, teethers, books, puzzles, cards, bubbles, journals, beauty supplies) are funded by enCourage Kids; over 60,000 kits funded to date to distract and lessen pain, fear, and anxiety during hospitalization.
• Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner since 2010. enCourage Kids Foundation funds the Artist in Residence Program featuring beat-boxer/songwriter Jonathan "Duv" Zaragoza from ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation. Duv conducts six-week rotations through CHAM units (including Pediatric Dialysis) running weekly workshops and one-on-one sessions.
• Yale New Haven Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner under the Arts for Healing Program. enCourage Kids Foundation funds NICU Music Therapy led by board-certified Neonatal Music Therapist Judy Engel, who provides bedside sessions using Developmental Multi-modal Stimulation (lullaby-style singing with guitar, stroking, rocking, and eye contact) to improve oxygen saturation, weight gain, heart/respiration stability, and parent-infant bonding.
• Flushing Hospital Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner since 2008 when enCourage Kids funded the hospital's first Child Life Program (run by Rashmi Momaya). Most recent investment is a VECTA Deluxe Mobile Sensory Station offering non-pharmaceutical coping for blood draws, IV placements, drain removals, dressing changes, and lumbar punctures.
• Samsung (Samsung Day of Service)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer partnership via Samsung Day of Service, during which Samsung employees support enCourage Kids' pediatric programming and Halloween activities for hospitalized children.
• ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain FoundationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArtWorks provides the Artist in Residence (Jonathan "Duv" Zaragoza) hired by enCourage Kids Foundation to deliver multi-disciplinary art workshops and one-on-one sessions at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). enCourage Kids' funding covers Duv's engagement at the hospital.
• Camp PontiacflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for enCourage Kids' 12th Annual Family Weekend (205 attendees, Labor Day Weekend 2019), held at Camp Pontiac in upstate New York. The free weekend gives kids and families respite from medical routines with basketball, kickball, tennis, arts and crafts, arcade, movies, and s'mores.
• Mercyhealth (Javon Bea Hospital, Rockton, IL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner that hosted a Teddy Bear Clinic with enCourage Kids' Teddy mascot at their Children Health and Safety Event, featured on local news (WIFR).
• LOG-ON (community partner)minorOthersCommunity partner organization through which volunteers were introduced to enCourage Kids, including long-term volunteer Mike who began volunteering in 1999.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: U.S. nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research and treatment support, often through hospital-based programs. Comparable foundation-grant revenue model and pediatric hospital beneficiary population.
• Project Sunshine: U.S. nonprofit providing volunteer-driven pediatric hospital programs (art, music, recreation therapy). Comparable volunteer + hospital-program delivery model and city-based chapter structure that mirrors enCourage Kids' volunteer engagement.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Large U.S. nonprofit fulfilling wishes for children with critical illnesses — directly competes for the same individual, corporate, and foundation donor pool serving pediatric healthcare, with comparable events-based and recurring-giving fundraising.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Global nonprofit supporting families of hospitalized children with lodging and in-hospital services. Operates a similar hospital-embedded, family-of-pediatric-patient model with comparable corporate (McDonald's) sponsorship structure.
• Songs of Love Foundation: U.S. nonprofit that creates personalized songs for hospitalized children and others facing medical challenges. Direct overlap with enCourage Kids' music therapy programming at Blythedale and Yale NICU.
• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: U.S. nonprofit that raises funds for 170+ member children's hospitals through corporate partners and point-of-sale campaigns. Directly comparable hospital-grantmaking model and pediatric-hospital beneficiary focus.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: U.S. nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research and family support, with comparable hospital-grantmaking model and emphasis on childhood cancer — a beneficiary segment enCourage Kids also serves.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: National U.S. nonprofit that delivers programs (including toy deliveries, gaming consoles, and hospital wear) to hospitalized children and partners directly with pediatric hospitals. Closely comparable mission, donor model, and hospital-embedded delivery model to enCourage Kids.

Emerging players

• Kids V Cancer: Smaller U.S. nonprofit focused on pediatric cancer advocacy, research, and access to treatment. Operates in an adjacent niche with partial overlap on pediatric critical-illness hospital support.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation: In-hospital foundation of one of the largest U.S. pediatric hospitals; raises funds for clinical care, research, and Child Life programming at scale. Represents the in-house alternative to enCourage Kids' intermediary hospital-grantmaking model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about enCourage Kids Foundation