What Project Sunshine does

Project Sunshine, Inc. is a New York-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that delivers therapeutic play programming to children with medical needs through three integrated service lines: Here to Play (in-person volunteer-led arts, crafts, and caregiver wellness activities at hospitals), Kits for Play (volunteer-packed activity kits including STEM, Scrapbook, and Surgi Dolls delivered to pediatric patients), and TelePlay (HIPAA-compliant live virtual play sessions via video conferencing). The organization serves approximately 250,000 children and families annually across more than 500 medical facility and nonprofit partners in 175 cities, mobilizing 18,000 trained volunteers drawn from 70+ college chapters, community programs, and corporate volunteer groups. Operations extend internationally through three wholly-owned regional entities — Project Sunshine Canada (founded 2006, operating in eight provinces with 40+ hospital partners), Project Sunshine Israel (founded 2006, serving hospitals and special needs kindergartens), and Project Sunshine Kenya (founded 2006, delivering clinic-based programming and Healthy Living Initiative home visits in partnership with Bomu Hospital in Mombasa). The underlying technology stack is minimal — no proprietary platform, no public API, and no AI/ML components — with the HIPAA-compliant TelePlay platform functioning as the only notable technical asset, reportedly the only program of its kind in the United States per the organization's own positioning.

Project Sunshine is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, corporate partnerships, cause-marketing campaigns, and grants, with its annual Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon serving as the flagship integrated marketing and fundraising event. The Summer Solstice 2026 campaign is anchored by flagship partner Mattel (including in-store Prescription for Play displays at Mattel's El Segundo headquarters and nationwide register round-up), Chelsea Piers Brooklyn as host venue, and a constellation of retail and dining cause-marketing partners including Jersey Mike's, Kendra Scott, Dave & Buster's, Brooklyn Bowl, Threes Brewing, and Little Bird Boutiques. Major programmatic funders include Gilead Sciences and the Shokooh Foundation for Kenya operations, and the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation for US programming. The organization does not sell products or services in the commercial sense; its 'pricing model' is donation-based, with the organization publishing that $15 provides one hour of play for a child. Customer segmentation is vertical, with primary beneficiaries being pediatric patients ages 5+ and secondary beneficiaries being their families, while institutional 'buyers' are hospital child life departments and pediatric care facilities. Leadership comprises CEO Meg Moloney, Chief Development Officer Katy Ritz, and Chief Program Officer Meg Kellett (a child life specialist by training).

Name

Project Sunshine

Legal name

Project Sunshine, Inc.

Website

https://projectsunshine.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Sunshine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that delivers therapeutic play programming to approximately 250,000 children with medical needs annually through 18,000 trained volunteers across 500+ hospital partners in the US, Canada, Israel, and Kenya.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to deliver healing play to children with medical needs. Donors can contribute through the organization's website and donation portal.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors underwrite events like Here To Party and provide funding for volunteer programs, activity kits, and operational costs. Companies participate through point-of-sale fundraising, event sponsorships, and employee engagement programs.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon campaign generates donations through participant fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and retail partner contributions. The organization also hosts various cause-related events throughout the year.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Project Sunshine is a nonprofit organization that delivers therapeutic play programming to children with medical needs through trained volunteers. Core offerings include in-person play visits at hospitals (Here to Play), virtual HIPAA-compliant TelePlay sessions, and mailed Sending Sunshine Activity Kits, all designed by certified child life specialists and delivered through partnerships with 500+ medical facilities in 175 cities across 4 countries.

Product overview

Project Sunshine is a nonprofit charitable organization operating as a single unified mission-driven platform that delivers the healing power of play to children with medical needs. The core offering consists of three integrated volunteer programs: TelePlay (HIPAA-compliant virtual play via video conferencing), Kits for Play (volunteer-prepared activity kits including STEM, Scrapbook, and Surgi Dolls delivered to hospitalized children), and Here to Play (in-person volunteer-led arts, crafts, party, and caregiver wellness activities at medical facilities). These programs are supported by the annual Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon fundraising campaign and supplemented by three international chapters in Canada, Israel, and Kenya. The organization recruits and trains volunteers across college, community, corporate, and youth segments to deliver programs through partnerships with 500+ medical facilities and nonprofits. Project Sunshine does not operate as a software-as-a-service platform; its 'products' are volunteer service programs rather than licensed software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TelePlay: Live interactive play program for children and families via HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. Volunteers meet children online for developmentally appropriate games and activity sessions.
• Here To Play
• Kits for Play
• Sending Sunshine Activity Kits

Products and services

• Here to Play In-person volunteer-led therapeutic play sessions delivered to children at partner hospitals and medical facilities. Programs are designed by certified child life specialists and are offered free of charge to participating medical facilities and the families they serve.
• TelePlay Virtual therapeutic play sessions delivered via HIPAA-compliant video to pediatric patients at home or in medical facilities, enabling play programming to reach children who cannot receive in-person visitors (e.g., immunocompromised patients) or who are geographically distant from partner facilities.
• Sending Sunshine Activity Kits Mailed play and activity kits shipped to children and families, providing tangible therapeutic play materials for use at home or in the hospital when in-person or virtual sessions are not feasible.
• Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon Annual signature fundraising and community engagement event that mobilizes donors and supporters to raise funds for Project Sunshine's pediatric play programs.
• Project Sunshine International Chapters (Canada, Israel, Kenya) Country-specific chapter operations that deliver Project Sunshine's pediatric play programming to children with medical needs in Canada, Israel, and Kenya, extending the organization's reach beyond the United States.

Quantifiable outcome

• Play reduces stress and supports healing in children - supported by American Academy of Pediatrics research
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Chelsea Piers BrooklynflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2026Host venue for main Play-A-Thon event on June 20, 2026. Chelsea Piers provides field house space for family-friendly activities including basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, arts and crafts, and bouncy house. Staff coaches and facility support create high-energy play environment for 300+ attendees.
• MattelflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Flagship partnership for Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon 2026. Mattel hosts 'Prescription for Play' display at their El Segundo, CA headquarters store featuring mystery bags ($1-$20) with iconic toys. Mattel's Play It Forward initiative aligns with Project Sunshine's mission. Store locations nationwide offer register round-up fundraising. Partnership amplifies play message and generates donations.
• Jersey Mike'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDine for a Cause partner during Summer Solstice campaign (June 22-24). 7 NYC locations offer 20% of sales donated to Project Sunshine when customers use code 'JMGIVES'. Provides food donations for Chelsea Piers event.
• Kendra ScottcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShop for a Cause partner across select locations nationwide (Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Columbus, San Diego, Scottsdale, NYC). 20% of in-store purchases donated to Project Sunshine June 19-20. Online code 'GIVEBACK-PLAYATHON' available.
• Puzzlesnacks for KidsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPuzzle for a Cause partner during June 2026. 100% of proceeds from Puzzlesnacks for Kids mini puzzle hunts support Project Sunshine. Products available for purchase throughout the month.
• Brooklyn BowlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRock n' Roll for a Cause event on June 21 featuring family-friendly concert by The Rock and Roll Playhouse. Proceeds benefit Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon. Interactive event for kids with parents' favorite music.
• Dave & Buster's BrooklyncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlay for a Cause event on June 25 (4-7 p.m.) at Brooklyn location. 20% of food, non-alcoholic beverages, and game play donated to Project Sunshine. Flyer required at purchase.
• Threes BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial after-party venue following Chelsea Piers Play-A-Thon on June 20 (3-7 p.m.). 10% discount for patrons mentioning Project Sunshine. Location at 333 Douglass St., Brooklyn.
• Little Bird BoutiquesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShop for a Cause partner on June 20 at Denver locations. 10% of boutique sales donated to Project Sunshine.
• Bomu Hospital (Kenya)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore healthcare partner for Project Sunshine Kenya since 2006. Located in Mombasa, Kenya. Partnership includes clinic-based programming, HIV treatment support, and 5 satellite sites. Hospital staff collaborate on Healthy Living Initiative home visits to last-mile communities.
• Ronald McDonald House (Central Ohio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor nonprofit partner hosting weekly in-person programs and TelePlay sessions. Chapter has conducted 20+ in-person programs since partnership inception. Families have publicly expressed appreciation for volunteer arts and crafts activities.
• NFL Play 60minorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth health and fitness initiative partner listed among Summer Solstice sponsors. Supports physical activity programming for children.
• Great Wolf LodgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily resort partner supporting Summer Solstice Play-A-Thon. Contributes to creating fun experiences for children and families.
• The Hershey CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCandy company partner for Play-A-Thon sponsorship. Provides treats and support for children's programming events.
• Pirate's BootyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnack partner providing products for Play-A-Thon events and children's activities.
• Brooklyn NetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNBA team partner supporting Play-A-Thon events. Contributes to community sports programming and awareness.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Child's Play Charity: Provides toys, games, and technology to hospitalized children through a network of pediatric hospitals. Direct overlap with Project Sunshine's activity-kit and gaming dimensions, though Child's Play is more focused on gaming hardware and esports content.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Childhood cancer charity funding research and family support. Operates in the same disease-specific pediatric nonprofit space and competes for the same donor and corporate partner mindshare.
• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: Raises funds for 170+ children's hospitals across North America, with significant corporate partner and event-based fundraising infrastructure. Highly comparable fundraising and hospital-partnership model, though it channels funds to hospitals rather than running direct programs.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Global nonprofit supporting families with sick children through housing, in-hospital family rooms, and mobile care. Project Sunshine partners with Ronald McDonald Houses, and both organizations serve the same pediatric hospital ecosystem and donor base.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Operates within the same donor and corporate-sponsor ecosystem and serves overlapping beneficiary populations (children with serious medical conditions), making it a strong comparative benchmark.
• Kids Wish Network: Grants wishes and delivers in-hospital programs for children with life-threatening illnesses. Comparable mission and beneficiary population, with overlapping hospital partner and donor networks.
• SeriousFun Children's Network: Network of free camps and programs for children with serious illnesses, founded by Paul Newman. Comparable mission of delivering play and psychosocial support to medically vulnerable children, though delivered through residential camps rather than hospital-based programming.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit delivering programs, toys, gaming, and content to hospitalized children in pediatric hospitals. Starlight is the closest direct peer, operating a hospital-distribution model, hospital gown and toy programs, and a digital content platform (Starlight Gaming) that competes directly with Project Sunshine's Here to Play, Kits for Play, and TelePlay.
• Hope for Henry Foundation: Washington, DC-based nonprofit that delivers in-hospital programs, technology, and celebrations to pediatric patients. Operates a similar hospital-partnership model with a focus on adherence to medical treatment through incentives, and is comparable in scale and program structure.

Others

• Association of Child Life Professionals: Professional membership body that certifies child life specialists and sets practice standards for psychosocial care in pediatric hospitals. Relevant as an ecosystem participant since Project Sunshine's programs are designed by certified child life specialists and rely on hospital child life teams as referral partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/projectsunshine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Project Sunshine