What The Gathering Place does

The Gathering Place is a private, independent nonprofit organization that provides free psychosocial, educational, and wellness support services to individuals and families affected by cancer. Founded in 2000 in Beachwood, Ohio, by former Licensed Independent Social Worker Eileen Saffran, the organization serves adults with cancer, caregivers, children and teens, young adults (18-45), and individuals experiencing grief and loss. Programming is delivered through two physical campuses — the Arnold & Sydell Miller Family Campus in Beachwood (East) and the Sandy Borrelli Center in Westlake (West) — plus the HOPE Mobile Unit, which extends services into underserved neighborhoods, and a virtual program that reaches participants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, D.C., and five countries.

The core service portfolio comprises facilitated support groups (adult, caregiver, young adult, cancer-specific, and grief), individual counseling, a wig salon, exercise and nutrition programs, integrative therapies (Reiki, sound baths, qigong, tai chi, yoga), creative arts and music therapy, medical librarian services, and children's and family programming including a summer camp. Service delivery is built around credentialed clinical staff — licensed social workers, board-certified music therapists, certified child life specialists, registered dietitians, and certified cancer exercise trainers — supplemented by contract program staff and a hospital liaison embedded at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. Technology is operational rather than proprietary: online program portals, video conferencing, and a Classy donation platform support scheduling, virtual programming, and fundraising.

The Gathering Place is 100% privately funded through diversified donation streams: individual and corporate contributions, foundation grants (including the Cleveland Foundation), tiered corporate sponsorships (Parker Hannifin Platinum; KeyBank and Huntington National Bank Silver), signature fundraising events (Race for the Place, 25th Anniversary Gala), the Rising Leaders Council young professional giving circle, and the Vintage Furnishings Warehouse retail operation. Since inception the organization has served over 47,000 individuals, recorded over 371,000 participant visits, and raised more than $42 million from the community. Strategic healthcare partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals anchor participant referral pipelines, while earned media across Cleveland outlets supports awareness and donor development.

Name

The Gathering Place

Legal name

The Gathering Place

Website

https://touchedbycancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Gathering Place is a Cleveland-based nonprofit providing free psychosocial, wellness, and educational support services to individuals and families affected by cancer through two physical campuses, mobile outreach, and virtual programming. Services are funded entirely by private donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Psychosocial oncology programs
• Community health nonprofits
• Wellness and support groups
• Family cancer resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Beachwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: The Gathering Place is 100% privately funded through donations from individuals, families, corporations, and foundations. Donations support all free programs and services.
2. Annual Fundraising Events: Signature events including Race for the Place and annual galas generate significant fundraising revenue. The Rising Leaders Council young professional group raises over $25,000 annually.
3. Vintage Furnishings Warehouse Sales: Donated pre-owned furniture and home accessories are sold at the TGP Warehouse, with all proceeds supporting free programs and services.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at various levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) provide financial support. Sponsors include Parker Hannifin Corporation, Huntington National Bank, KeyBank, and others.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Gathering Place provides free psychosocial, educational, and wellness programs for individuals and families affected by cancer, delivered through in-person support groups, exercise and nutrition classes, art/music/meditation therapies, grief services, a medical library, a wig salon, and a mobile outreach unit. All services are offered at no cost and funded entirely through private donations, foundation grants, and community fundraising events.

Product overview

The Gathering Place is a nonprofit cancer support organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of free programs and services designed to support individuals and families throughout the cancer journey. The organization operates two physical locations (Beachwood and Westlake) plus mobile outreach, and provides both in-person and virtual programming. Core offerings include support groups for adults, caregivers, and young adults; wellness programs including exercise, nutrition, and integrative therapies; creative arts programming; a wig salon; medical library services; and specialized children's and family programs including summer camp. All services are provided at no charge to participants, funded entirely through private donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HOPE Mobile Unit: A mobile unit that provides free cancer support services including counseling, wig fittings and educational materials directly to neighborhoods and underserved communities.

Products and services

• Adult Cancer Support Groups Weekly facilitated support groups for adults with any kind of cancer, led by licensed mental health professionals. Provides a safe space for participants to connect, share experiences, and receive emotional and psychosocial support during and after treatment.
• Caregiver Support Groups Support groups for caregivers, family members, and friends of those diagnosed with cancer, addressing caregiver stress, coping strategies, and the unique challenges of supporting a loved one through the cancer journey.
• Young Adults (18-45) Support Program Support group and community-building program for young adults aged 18-45 diagnosed with cancer, addressing age-specific concerns such as fertility, career impact, and relationships.
• Children, Teen & Family Support Programs Age-appropriate support, workshops, and activities for children, teens, and families affected by cancer, including grief support when a loved one has died from cancer.
• The Gathering Place Summer Camp Annual summer camp for children impacted by cancer offering activities such as animal care, arts, and therapeutic recreation in a supportive environment.
• Grief & Loss Support Services Support groups and workshops for individuals who have lost a loved one to cancer, providing facilitated grief processing and community connection after loss.
• Exercise & Nutrition Programs Exercise classes (such as Balance for Improved Function) and nutrition programs (including virtual cooking demonstrations) designed to educate and empower individuals during and after cancer treatment.
• Virtual Nutrition Learning & Cooking Demo Virtual program exploring different nutrition and cancer topics with cooking demonstrations to add to participants' recipe collections and support healthy eating during treatment.
• Art, Music & Meditation Programs Creative arts programming including art therapy, music therapy, meditation practices, and immersive sound healing (Singing Bowls / Crystal Alchemy Sound Bath) for emotional expression and healing.
• Healing Arts (Reiki, Guided Imagery, Therapeutic Touch) Integrative therapies such as Reiki, guided imagery, and therapeutic touch to support physical and emotional well-being for cancer patients and families.
• Regina Brett Wig Salon Provides free wigs and wig fittings for cancer patients experiencing hair loss from treatment.
• Medical Library & Resource Center Provides participants with access to credible cancer-related information, medical literature, and research resources to support informed decision-making.
• HOPE Mobile Unit Mobile outreach vehicle that provides free cancer support services including counseling, wig fittings, and educational materials directly to neighborhoods, particularly underserved communities.
• Free Online Cancer Support (Virtual Programs) Online cancer support programs and virtual attendance options enabling participants to access support groups, classes, and workshops remotely from any location.
• Individual & Group Counseling Support One-on-one support sessions and group counseling facilitated by licensed mental health professionals for individuals and families affected by cancer.
• Vintage Furnishings Warehouse Retail warehouse selling donated pre-owned furniture and home accessories, with all proceeds supporting The Gathering Place's free cancer support programs.
• Cancer-Specific Support Groups Facilitated groups dedicated to specific cancer types, enabling participants to connect with others who share the same diagnosis experience.

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleveland Clinic is listed as a community partner supporting The Gathering Place's mission. The organization collaborates with healthcare systems to extend cancer support services.
• MetroHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetroHealth Cancer Center partners with The Gathering Place to expand cancer support services into the community. The partnership involves referral and support coordination.
• University Hospitals (UH RBCH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center hosts a TGP hospital liaison who provides on-site emotional and psychosocial support to patients and families during appointments and treatments.
• LGBT CLEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBT CLE is listed as a community partner supporting The Gathering Place's outreach to diverse populations.
• Regina BrettminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew York Times bestselling author and Cleveland Jewish News columnist Regina Brett partners with TGP on the Sisterhood of the Traveling Wigs campaign to raise $25,000 for wig services for women in underserved communities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheGatheringPlaceOH
• Facebookfacebook.com/TouchedbyCancerCLE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/touchedbycancercle
• Instagraminstagram.com/touchedbycancercle
• Xx.com/touchedbycancer

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 The Gathering Place