The Children's Hospital Foundation

What The Children's Hospital Foundation does

The Children's Hospital Foundation is an Australian registered charity (ABN 11 607902 687) and the official philanthropic arm of Children's Health Queensland and the Queensland Children's Hospital. Founded in 1985 as the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation and renamed in 2014, the organization raises and deploys funds across three verticals: paediatric medical research (Children's Brain Cancer Centre, Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research, Queensland Cystic Fibrosis Research Program, ACTION Centre), hospital equipment (including a A$2.5M digital PET-CT scanner), and on-ground patient and family support programs (Kidzone playroom, Music Therapy, Bedside Play, Wayfinder navigation, Bravery Beads, Special Moments, and over 1,800 music therapy sessions annually).

The Foundation's technology stack is a standard non-profit digital platform: a website (childrens.org.au) and donation portal accepting credit card, PayPal, and cryptocurrency, supporting one-time and monthly recurring giving, plus volunteer management and event registration systems. There is no proprietary software product; the 'product' is delivered via hospital-embedded human services. Revenue is sourced from individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring), corporate partnerships (Woolworths, Hyundai, Brisbane Broncos, Big W), community fundraising events, the Play For Purpose community raffle (A$10 tickets, A$5 per ticket to Foundation), bequests and gifts in will, and workplace giving. FY 2021/22 disbursements totaled approximately A$12.9M, allocated 64% to direct impact, 10% to a future fund for multi-year commitments, and 26% to operations. The Foundation serves children with all illnesses, injuries, and conditions across Queensland and northern New South Wales, with 51–100 employees and a Board chaired by Dr Jane Black under CEO Lyndsey Rice.

Name

The Children's Hospital Foundation

Legal name

Children's Hospital Foundation

Website

https://childrens.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Children's Hospital Foundation is an Australian registered charity that funds paediatric medical research, hospital equipment, and patient and family support programs for the Queensland Children's Hospital, serving sick children across Queensland and northern New South Wales through donations, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Healthcare Charity

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG), Healthcare Access & Life Sciences Impact Funds (FSANAJAI)

Keywords

• Pediatric healthcare funding
• Charitable hospital foundation
• Paediatric research funding
• Child life services
• Corporate giving partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

South Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, including one-time gifts and monthly recurring donations, supporting research, equipment, and patient/family services.
2. Fundraising Events: Community fundraising events including galas, charity rides, workplace fundraising, and school/community initiatives.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses for corporate giving, cause-related marketing, event sponsorship, and workplace fundraising programs.
4. Raffle Program: Play For Purpose community raffle where tickets are sold for $10 each with $5 from every ticket supporting the foundation.
5. Bequests and Gifts in Will: Legacy giving through bequests in supporters' Wills, providing long-term sustainable funding commitments.
6. Cryptocurrency Donations: Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies as tax-deductible donations.
7. Workplace Giving: Regular pre-tax salary donations through employer payroll giving programs, with some employers matching contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Children's Hospital Foundation is a registered Australian charity (ABN 11 607902 687) that serves as the official philanthropic arm of Children's Health Queensland and Queensland Children's Hospital. It raises funds through individual donations, corporate partnerships, workplace giving, fundraising events, raffles, bequests, and cryptocurrency donations to fund cutting-edge medical research, purchase paediatric medical equipment, and deliver on-the-ground patient and family support programs such as music therapy, Kidzone playroom, bedside play, and wayfinder services. For every dollar donated, 64 cents funds direct impact, 10 cents is reserved in a future fund, and 26 cents covers operations and fundraising.

Product overview

The Children's Hospital Foundation operates as a charitable organization supporting Queensland Children's Hospital, offering a portfolio of patient and family support programs and funding medical research. The Foundation's offerings span three main areas: (1) Patient Entertainment Services including Kidzone playroom, Book Bunker library, Bedside Play volunteers, Toys and Digital Device Loans, Juiced TV (patient-created content), and Craft Packs; (2) Patient Support Services including Wayfinder navigation, Cuddle Carer comfort program, Operating Theatre Support, Inpatient Orientation, Emergency Supplies, Free Meals for Families, Special Moments celebrations, and Bravery Beads recognition program; and (3) Funded Research including the Children's Brain Cancer Centre, Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research, Queensland Children's Tumour Bank, ACTION Centre for clinical trials, and medical equipment such as digital PET-CT scanner and EEG machine. The Foundation does not operate a unified software product but rather delivers services through hospital-based programs and funds research infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sapphire Committee: A passionate and visionary group of people, dedicated to creating change for sick kids and their families through the Sapphire Gala and other bespoke events to fund groundbreaking paediatric research.
• Legacy Advisory

Products and services

• Kidzone Playroom A playroom on Level 6 of Queensland Children's Hospital offering toys, entertainment activities including a craft table, giant LEGO, car tracks, play shop and play kitchen, plus free child minding for children over two years. Used by inpatients and their siblings.
• Music Therapy Program One of Australia's largest music therapy programs at Queensland Children's Hospital, providing over 1,800 sessions annually to almost 750 infants, children, and adolescents, helping improve emotional wellbeing and reduce pain and anxiety during treatment.
• Bedside Play and Toy Loan Service Volunteers visit children at their bedside to provide entertainment and distraction through games and activities. A loan library of toys, books, games, LEGO, Nintendo Switches, DVD players, iPads, and Leapfrog education devices is also provided to inpatients, with 4,991 items loaned annually.
• Wayfinder Service and Woolworths Wayfinders Volunteers provide navigation assistance and information to help families find their way around Queensland Children's Hospital, assisting with 24,290 families annually. The Woolworths Wayfinders program is the named branded version.
• Cuddle Carer Program Specially trained volunteers provide comfort to patients and siblings aged 0-24 months, offering nurturing cuddles while parents attend medical meetings or take breaks.
• Free Meals for Families Free frozen meals provided in family lounges at Queensland Children's Hospital, sourced through partnership with Fare Share, designed to be nourishing and allergy-sensitive so parents can stay by their child's side.
• Paw Play Program Volunteer dog visits to patient bedsides providing emotional support and comfort, conducted alongside another Foundation volunteer.
• Children's Brain Cancer Centre Australia's first research initiative solely focused on paediatric brain cancer, bringing together world-leading researchers to advance treatment options and find a cure. The Foundation has committed $5 million over five years.
• Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research Australia's first dedicated children's immunotherapy research centre, led by Professor Ian Frazer, working to accelerate cancer breakthroughs using immunotherapy approaches. The Foundation has committed $7.5 million.
• Queensland Children's Tumour Bank An openly accessible paediatric tumour tissue bank at the Children's Centre for Health Research, collecting tissue samples to support cancer research. Over 65,740 samples banked since 2008.
• ACTION Centre (Advanced Therapies and Clinical Trials Innovation) A statewide hub providing Queensland children with better access to cutting-edge clinical trials and advanced therapies including gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering for rare diseases.
• Play For Purpose Charity Raffle Community raffle program in partnership with Play For Purpose. Tickets are sold for $10 each with at least $5 from every ticket supporting the Foundation. First prize package worth $350k.
• Monthly Giving Program Recurring pre-tax or after-tax donation program with tiered amounts ($15, $25, $40) funding entertainment programs, Kidzone, music therapy, bereavement programs, cutting-edge medical equipment, and paediatric research.
• Gift in Will Program Legacy giving program that allows supporters to leave a bequest in their Will, providing long-term sustainable funding commitments to the foundation. Free online Will writing service available via EveryWill partnership.
• Cryptocurrency Donation Program Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies as tax-deductible donations to the foundation.
• Workplace Giving Program Regular pre-tax salary donations through employer payroll giving programs, with some employers matching contributions.
• Corporate Partnership Program Partnerships with businesses for corporate giving, cause-related marketing, event sponsorship, workplace fundraising programs, and employee volunteering initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• $8.2M invested in research, $3.3M in equipment, $1.4M in family support annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WoolworthscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Major corporate partner through Woolworths Wayfinders program, Wishing Tree initiative, and Easter Appeal raising over $239,000. Woolworths team members participate in workplace giving and fundraising events.
• NightOwlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting sick kids through various fundraising initiatives.
• The LottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership through The Lott, supporting fundraising efforts.
• ALH HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing support through hotel accommodation partnerships.
• Big WminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting toy donations and fundraising initiatives.
• Hyundai AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHyundai Help for Kids program partner supporting sick children and their families.
• Brisbane BroncoscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partnership with rugby league club raising funds and awareness for sick kids through various initiatives.
• Child's Play CharitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational charity providing Nintendo Switches, DVD players, iPads, and Leapfrog education devices for loan to patients.
• Fare SharecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing free frozen meals for families in hospital, nourishing and allergy-sensitive meals allowing parents to stay by their child's side.
• EveryWillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree online Will writing service partnership making it easy for supporters to leave a gift in their Will to the foundation.
• Sapphire CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisionary group founded in 2023 dedicated to creating change for sick kids through Sapphire Gala and bespoke events. Raised $1,101,250 in 2026.
• Legacy AdvisorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Brisbane leaders founded in 2023 driving awareness to increase philanthropic support from like-minded individuals and companies.
• Queensland Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation is the philanthropic arm of Children's Health Queensland and Queensland Children's Hospital, one of the world's best paediatric hospitals.
• The University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead institution for Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research, collaborating on immunotherapy breakthroughs for children's cancer.
• Children's Health QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research and other research initiatives.
• QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research.
• Lady Mayoress Nina SchrinnercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst Honorary Ambassador of the foundation, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust, supporting to shine light on vital programs and life saving research.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation: Direct peer — the official fundraising foundation for Sydney Children's Hospital Network, operating the same pediatric hospital foundation model across NSW. CEO Lyndsey Rice previously led fundraising here, underscoring the close operational and strategic alignment.
• Royal Children's Hospital Foundation (Melbourne): Direct peer — fundraising arm of Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, the largest pediatric hospital in Australia. Comparable scope: funds research, equipment, and family support programs for sick children across Victoria.
• Children's Medical Research Institute: Direct peer — Australia's premier pediatric medical research institute focused on genetic diseases, cancer, and neuroscience. CEO Lyndsey Rice previously led fundraising here, and both organizations fund pediatric research with similar donor bases.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: Direct peer — Australian pediatric charity providing in-hospital entertainment, distraction, and support programs to sick kids. Closely overlapping service model (entertainment, distraction, hospital-based programs) with Children's Hospital Foundation's Kidzone, Bedside Play, and music therapy offerings.
• Make-A-Wish Australia: Direct peer — fulfills wishes for children with critical illnesses. Operates in the same donor and corporate partnership space as Children's Hospital Foundation, with overlapping brand-aligned corporate partners and similar event-driven fundraising model.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia: Direct peer — supports families of sick children with accommodation and services near hospitals. Overlapping family-support mission and hospital-based delivery model; competes for similar corporate partnerships and donor segments.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Council NSW: Broad incumbent — large, established cancer charity operating across NSW with significantly broader scope (all cancers, all ages). CEO Lyndsey Rice previously led here, and Children's Hospital Foundation funds some overlapping oncology research at a pediatric-specific level.
• Murdoch Children's Research Institute: Broad incumbent — Australia's largest child health research institute, based at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Closely comparable research mission (pediatric disease, genetics, immunology) with broader scale and longer research track record.

Regional players

• Heart Foundation: Regional player — Australia's largest nonprofit dedicated to heart disease. Children's Hospital Foundation funds congenital heart disease research at QCH; both compete for similar corporate wellness partnerships and workplace giving channels in Australia.

Emerging players

• Cystic Fibrosis Australia: Emerging player — disease-specific charity funding CF research and patient support. Children's Hospital Foundation commits $2.5M over 5 years to Queensland CF Research Program, making CF Australia a partial peer and potential collaborator rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/childrensorgau
• Facebookfacebook.com/childrensorgau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childrensorgau
• Instagraminstagram.com/childrensorgau
• Xx.com/childrensorgau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 The Children's Hospital Foundation