Tyler Robinson Foundation

What Tyler Robinson Foundation does

Tyler Robinson Foundation, Inc. (TRF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 by the Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons and the Robinson family in memory of Tyler Robinson, who died of Rhabdomyosarcoma at age 17. The foundation is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada (EIN 46-2570835) and is governed by a board that includes Imagine Dragons members Dan Reynolds, Ben McKee, Wayne Sermon, and Mac Reynolds, along with Tyler's brother Jesse Robinson, and is led day-to-day by Executive Director Ana Estrada. Its core product is a suite of financial grants for families with children (ages 0-18) diagnosed with cancer, structured as a Signature Grant of $12,000 per family for non-medical expenses (renewable annually up to 3 years), a $5,000 Travel Grant for treatment-related travel, a $2,000 Family Fun Grant for milestone celebrations, and a Path to Heaven Grant for end-of-life costs.

The foundation's underlying technology is a web-based Family Portal at portal.trf.org where referred families submit grant applications, integrated with standard nonprofit donation infrastructure (PayPal Giving Fund, eBay for Charity, GoFundMe, Amazon Wishlist, RaiseRight, Nextdoor Sell for Good). The technology stack is intentionally minimal — there is no proprietary AI/ML, no SDK or API products, and the foundation explicitly operates as a charitable organization rather than a technology company. Distribution of grants occurs through a referral network of partner hospitals across the U.S. and Canada (including Nemours Children's Orlando, Primary Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital, City of Hope, and SickKids Children's Hospital), where social workers identify eligible families.

TRF's revenue model is donations-only, with no commercial product sales. Revenue streams include one-time and monthly individual donations, corporate matching programs, stock and vehicle donations, Donor-Advised Funds, workplace giving, Amazon Wishlist and eBay for Charity contributions, and major annual fundraising events — primarily the Rise Up Gala (a black-tie event featuring an Imagine Dragons performance) and the newly launched Tee Off Fore TRF Golf Tournament. The foundation pairs each grant recipient with a volunteer professional financial advisor (sourced in part via Merrill Lynch board leadership) to provide budgeting and debt-elimination planning alongside cash grants. In 2026, TRF tripled its beneficiary base to 75 families served, supported by a 'record breaking' 2025 Rise Up Gala, and maintains Charity Navigator four-star, Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, and Great Nonprofits top-rated recognitions.

Name

Tyler Robinson Foundation

Legal name

Tyler Robinson Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://trf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tyler Robinson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit co-founded by Imagine Dragons in 2013 that provides financial grants — up to $12,000 Signature Grants plus Travel, Family Fun, and Path to Heaven Grants — to families affected by pediatric cancer in the U.S. and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Pediatric Cancer Family Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Child Benefits Administration (Child Allowance, Parental Leave) (BPAIAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer support
• Nonprofit charitable foundation
• Financial assistance grants
• Childhood cancer families
• Cancer family support

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: TRF raises funds through one-time and monthly donations from individual donors, corporate matching programs, stock donations, vehicle donations, and Donor-Advised Funds. The foundation also receives support through workplace giving programs, Amazon Wishlist contributions, and eBay for Charity sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Tyler Robinson Foundation provides financial grants to families affected by pediatric cancer to cover non-medical expenses. Its grant offerings include the Signature Grant ($12,000 per family, renewable up to three years), Travel Grant ($5,000 for treatment-related travel), Family Fun Grant ($2,000 for milestone celebrations), and Path to Heaven Grant for end-of-life costs. Each family is paired with a volunteer professional financial advisor for budget and debt elimination support. Applications are submitted through the online Family Portal following a referral from a partner hospital social worker.

Product overview

Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF) is a nonprofit organization founded by Imagine Dragons in 2013 to support families facing pediatric cancer. TRF offers a suite of grant programs providing financial assistance for non-medical expenses: the Signature Grant ($12,000 per family, renewable up to 3 years), Travel Grant ($5,000 for treatment-related travel), Family Fun Grant ($2,000 for milestone celebrations), and Path to Heaven Grant for end-of-life costs. These programs are accessed through the Family Portal online platform and distributed via third-party processors paired with financial planning support. TRF is not a technology product company but rather a charitable foundation focused on emotional and financial support for pediatric cancer families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signature Grant A $12,000 grant per family for non-medical expenses including housing, utilities, groceries, and other essential costs. Renewable annually for up to three years of assistance ($1,000/month for one year, up to $12,000 annually, maximum three years). For pediatric cancer families referred by partner hospital social workers.
• Travel Grant A $5,000 grant per family for treatment-related travel expenses including airfare, lodging, meals, transportation, and car repairs or maintenance. Available to active or alumni Signature Grant families.
• Family Fun Grant A $2,000 grant per family to celebrate treatment milestones or special events, bringing moments of relief during treatment.
• Path to Heaven Grant Grant covering funeral costs, memorial service, burial/cremation fees, and headstone or marker expenses for families who lose a child to cancer.
• Family Portal Online platform at portal.trf.org where families submit grant applications and manage their TRF support throughout their pediatric cancer journey.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10 years: thousands of pediatric cancer families supported worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

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

• Imagine DragonscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons co-founded TRF in 2013 in honor of their friend Tyler Robinson who lost his battle with cancer at age 17. The band remains actively involved, performing at annual Rise Up Gala events and providing ongoing visibility and support to the foundation.
• Dolby Labs / Dolby LiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDolby Labs Chief Marketing Officer Todd Pendleton provided testimonial about partnership: 'We share the same vision that music has the power to transform lives, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with TRF to create unforgettable experiences at Dolby Live for the families they serve.' Hosts events at Dolby Live venue.
• Acesso BiologicsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAcesso Biologics serves as Dragon Sponsor for TRF events including the 2025 and 2026 Rise Up Galas. This represents the highest sponsorship tier demonstrating significant financial and visibility commitment to TRF's mission.
• Critical Care ComicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMichael Mutzhaus, Vice President of Critical Care Comics, provided testimonial: 'We at Critical Care Comics love any chance we can get to work with the Tyler Robinson Foundation. The work they do for the kids and families in our community fighting some of the toughest battles is nothing short of astounding.' Partnership includes hosting blood drives, scholarship candidates, and holiday support.
• Partner HospitalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRF partners with hospitals across the U.S. and Canada where families receive cancer treatment. Social workers at these hospitals refer families to TRF for grant applications. Partner hospitals include Nemours Children's Orlando, Primary Children's Hospital (UT), Nationwide Children's Hospital, City of Hope, and SickKids Children's Hospital (Ontario).
• Merrill LynchminorOthersJennifer Shydler from Merrill Lynch serves as Co-Chair of TRF Board. Provides financial advisory services pairing each grant recipient family with a volunteer professional financial advisor.
• Centennial ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCentennial Toyota sponsored golf carts for the inaugural Tee Off Fore TRF Golf Tournament, supporting the fundraising event.
• Mark Wiley GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMark Wiley Group sponsored golf balls for the inaugural Tee Off Fore TRF Golf Tournament.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Provides lodging and family-support services near pediatric treatment hospitals, overlapping with TRF's Travel Grant and Signature Grant functionality (housing/travel for treatment-related expenses). Large peer with embedded hospital relationships comparable to TRF's partner hospital network.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Funds pediatric cancer research and family-support initiatives, targeting similar 0-18 pediatric oncology populations. Compares to TRF in mission scope and event-driven fundraising approach.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses including cancer. Compares to TRF's Family Fun Grant model by delivering experiential support to pediatric cancer families, with a similar celebrity-amplified brand and family-centric narrative.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National nonprofit supporting children with cancer and their families through advocacy, information, and direct support programs. Compares to TRF via shared pediatric oncology family-support mission and similar nonprofit fundraising structure.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Pediatric cancer foundation funding research and patient/family support programs including financial assistance. Comparable beneficiary population, mission overlap, and nonprofit grantmaking structure, though tilted more toward research than TRF's direct family grant model.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Large pediatric cancer research and family-support foundation running signature fundraising events (head-shaving) similar to TRF's Rise Up Gala model. Operates within the same beneficiary segment (children with cancer, ages 0-18) and competes for the same donor mindshare.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National pediatric cancer nonprofit funding research and family support including travel/lodging grants. Directly comparable to TRF's mission of providing financial assistance and grants to families affected by childhood cancer, similar beneficiary profile and grant-based model.
• National Children's Cancer Society: Direct grantmaking to families of children with cancer for non-medical expenses, plus travel-for-care programs. Highly comparable to TRF's Signature, Travel, and Family Fun grants with overlapping eligibility criteria and beneficiary profile.
• Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation: Provides direct financial assistance and gifts to children with cancer and their families, similar to TRF's grant program structure. Operates within the same beneficiary segment with a comparable family-grant delivery model.

Emerging players

• Starlight Children's Foundation: Delivers programs (comfort items, gaming, hospital-based experiences) to seriously ill children including pediatric cancer patients. Comparable in pediatric beneficiary focus and emotional/quality-of-life orientation, though more programmatic and less grant-based than TRF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TRFdotORG
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@trfdotorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/trfdotorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trfdotorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/trfdotorg
• TikToktiktok.com/@trfdotorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Tyler Robinson Foundation