What Dream Foundation does

Dream Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Federal EIN 77-0405779, legal entity Dalmatian Dreams Foundation dba Dream Foundation), founded in 1994 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. It is described in its own materials as the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, serving recipients aged 18 and older with a life-limiting illness and a life expectancy of 12 months or less across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The organization fulfills "final Dreams" — end-of-life experiences such as family reunions, travel, meetings with personal heroes, technology gifts, and renewal ceremonies — that provide inspiration, comfort, and closure, with 35,000+ Dreams fulfilled since inception and 80% of recipients reporting a greater sense of well-being (per an independent study with the American Psychiatric Association).

The program portfolio comprises the core Dream Program, Dreams for Veterans (launched 2015 in Washington, D.C., for terminally-ill U.S. military veterans and active service members), Flower Empower (a Santa Barbara-based volunteer floral delivery program with 125,000+ bouquets delivered since 1994), the Dream Toy Program (for children of Dream recipients), and supplementary fundraising/engagement vehicles including Dream Challenge, Dream Plaza, and the Dream Vacation Rental Network. Distribution combines healthcare professional referrals (hospices, cancer centers, doctors, veteran service organizations), a self-service web application in English and Spanish, and direct community engagement via volunteer networks.

The business model is exclusively donation-funded: Dream Foundation receives no state or federal funding and relies on individual donations, recurring giving, air-mile donations, planned giving/bequests, corporate sponsorships (Legacy $25,000 down to Connection $500 tiers), foundation grants (notably a 2023 $90,000 Fisher Service Award grant), in-kind donations (flowers, venue space, professional services), and signature fundraising events such as the No Gala Gala, Flower Empower Luncheon, and Dream Challenge. Headcount is 11-50 employees, governance is provided by a Board of Directors including veterans and healthcare/pharmaceutical executives, and the organization maintains Candid Platinum Seal and Charity Navigator 4-Star transparency ratings.

Name

Dream Foundation

Legal name

Dalmatian Dreams Foundation dba Dream Foundation

Website

https://dreamfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dream Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1994 that fulfills end-of-life dreams for terminally-ill adults across the United States. It runs specialized programs for veterans, children of recipients, and hospice patients, funded entirely through private donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

End-of-life dream fulfillment services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

Keywords

• End-of-life dream fulfillment
• Terminally-ill adult services
• Nonprofit dream granting
• Veteran hospice support
• Charitable care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Primary revenue source from individual donors who sponsor specific dreams or contribute to general operations. Donors can give through the website, make one-time or recurring monetary donations, donate air miles, or include Dream Foundation in planned giving and bequests.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Grants: Revenue from corporate sponsors and foundation grants. Examples include $90,000 grant from Fisher House Foundation and $50,000 advertising package from Military Times Foundation. Corporate partners provide both monetary support and in-kind donations (flowers, venue space, professional services).
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated through signature fundraising events including the No Gala Gala (virtual fundraising event raising $100,000-$75,000 annually), Flower Empower Luncheon (annual event at Rosewood Miramar Beach), and Dream Challenge athletic events.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Dream Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that fulfills final Dreams for terminally-ill adults (18+, life expectancy of 12 months or less) across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Dreams include family reunions, travel, meetings with personal heroes, technology gifts, and other meaningful end-of-life experiences, all funded entirely through charitable donations. Supporting programs serve military veterans (Dreams for Veterans), deliver floral bouquets and comfort items to hospice and cancer patients (Flower Empower), and provide toys to children of Dream recipients (Dream Toy Program).

Product overview

Dream Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates as a single unified program portfolio focused on end-of-life compassionate care. The core offering is the Dream Program, which fulfills final dreams for terminally-ill adults. Supporting this are specialized programs: Dreams for Veterans (tailored for military veterans), Flower Empower (delivers floral arrangements and comfort items), and Dream Toy Program (supports children of recipients). The organization also runs Dream Challenge (athletic fundraising events), Flower Empower Network (national florist expansion), Dream Plaza, and Dream Vacation Rental Network as supplementary offerings. All programs work together to provide inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life, serving recipients across the United States including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dreams for Veterans: Program tailored specifically for U.S. military veterans, active service members, and members of the Reserve and National Guard, fulfilling their final Dreams.
• Flower Empower
• Dream Toy Program

Products and services

• Dream Program Core program fulfilling final Dreams for terminally-ill adults 18 years and older diagnosed with a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, providing inspiration, comfort and closure through experiences such as family reunions, travel, meetings with personal heroes, technology gifts, and family dinners.
• Dreams for Veterans Specialized program tailoring the Dream experience for U.S. military veterans, active service members, and Reserve/National Guard members with terminal illness, fulfilling final Dreams that honor military service, including visits to war memorials, pinning ceremonies, and reunions with fellow service members.
• Flower Empower Santa Barbara-based volunteer-driven program that delivers hand-crafted floral bouquets, homemade cookies, artisanal chocolates, and cards to people receiving hospice services, in cancer centers, and in their homes to provide emotional support and joy.
• Dream Toy Program Program that delivers hand-selected toys to the children of Dream recipients, creating happy memories and providing comfort to children facing the loss of a parent or loved one.
• Dream Challenge Fundraising initiative that enables supporters to participate in athletic events such as marathons and runs, turning their athletic achievements into funding for Dreams for terminally-ill adults.
• Flower Empower Network National network of volunteer florists that supports and expands Flower Empower floral deliveries into communities across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Dream recipients reported greater sense of well-being after a Dream (independent study with American Psychiatric Association)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gilead SciencescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Employee Resource Groups conducting annual 5K run/walk fundraiser from May 18 to June 12 to raise funds for Dreams for Veterans program in honor of Chad Blomgren. Nearly 200 employees participating in the fifth annual virtual event.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Dreams for Veterans program, coordinating pinning ceremonies and recognition events at memorials. Prince Taylor, Acting Director from VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement presented David Chapman with Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.
• NFLcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that enabled Kellirae's dream to attend the Super Bowl, including special meet and greet experiences with Eagles Cheerleaders and deaf performers Justina Miles, Colin Denny, and Troy Kotsur.
• Phoenix Airbnb HostsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal host community that provided accommodation support for Kellirae's Super Bowl dream experience.
• Local Flower Growers (Santa Barbara County)coreOthersLocal growers including Fabulous Florals, Gallup & Stribling Orchids, Maximum Nursery, Myriad Flowers, Por La Mar Nursery, Westerlay Orchids, and Westland Floral generously donate flowers for the Flower Empower program. Santa Barbara County is the leading producer of high-quality cut flowers in California and the nation.
• Chocolats du CaliBressanminorOthersProvides artisanal chocolates for Flower Empower deliveries alongside bouquets and freshly baked cookies from Himovitz Family.
• Trader Joe'sminorOthersSanta Barbara area location donates flowers for the Flower Empower program.
• GoFundMe Charity/GoFundMe ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party donation platform used for online donations. Handles secure payment processing for Dream Foundation donations. Payment card details are processed securely by this provider.
• Combat Veterans Motorcycle AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia's 25-5 chapter members (Artie Pearson, Michael Myers, Joie Myers, Dewayne Igou) assisted with veteran dream fulfillment, presenting David Chapman with trip provisions, Director's Coin, Challenge Coin, and Dreams for Veterans pin.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Make-A-Wish is the most direct analog: a national 501(c)(3) that grants wishes to individuals facing life-threatening conditions, but focused on children rather than terminally-ill adults. Highly comparable mission, donor-funded model, and program structure.
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: NHPCO is the national membership organization for hospice and palliative care providers, directly aligned with Dream Foundation's end-of-life care mission. Many NHPCO members are referral partners for Dream Foundation, and the organizations share an overlapping beneficiary population.
• Hospice Foundation of America: Hospice Foundation of America is a national 501(c)(3) focused on end-of-life care education and support, closely paralleling Dream Foundation's mission of providing compassionate support to terminally-ill adults and their families.
• Children's Wish Foundation International: Another national wish-granting organization, focused on children with life-threatening illnesses. Highly comparable to Dream Foundation's mission structure of fulfilling meaningful experiences for those facing life-limiting conditions, though its beneficiary age range differs.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: Starlight delivers wishes, gaming, and hospital programs to seriously ill children and their families. Comparable in being a national, donor-funded wish-fulfillment nonprofit, though serving pediatric rather than adult terminally-ill populations.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: A large, established veteran-serving nonprofit that supports injured veterans through programs, services, and advocacy. Comparable to Dream Foundation's Dreams for Veterans program in beneficiary focus, though WWP serves a broader range of veterans and their families.
• Fisher House Foundation: Fisher House Foundation runs a network of 96 comfort homes for military and veteran families and awarded Dream Foundation the 2023 Fisher Service Award. Comparable veteran-services mission and major grantmaker in the same ecosystem.
• American Cancer Society: A leading national health nonprofit that supports cancer patients and their families through research, services, and patient support. Many of Dream Foundation's terminally-ill adult recipients are cancer patients, making ACS a relevant adjacent peer in patient services and hospice referrals.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): DAV is a major national veterans service organization that provides support, advocacy, and benefits to disabled veterans. Operates in the same veteran-services ecosystem as Dream Foundation's Dreams for Veterans program, with overlapping referral networks.

Emerging players

• Songs of Love Foundation: A national 501(c)(3) that creates personalized songs for children and adults facing serious medical conditions. Highly comparable personalized wish-fulfillment model serving terminally-ill individuals, though with a narrower artistic offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/flowerempower_sb
• Xx.com/dreamfound
• Facebookfacebook.com/Dreamfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dream-foundation.

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Dream Foundation