Claire’s Place Foundation

What Claire’s Place Foundation does

Claire's Place Foundation is a U.S. 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Claire Wineland, a cystic fibrosis patient, along with her mother Melissa Yeager and father John Wineland. Headquartered in Redondo Beach, California, the foundation provides emotional and financial support to individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis through five core programs: Extended Hospital Stay Grants of $500-$3,500 to cover rent, utilities, and monthly bills during 14+ day hospital admissions; the Work Proudly Program offering career coaching, certificate job training (up to $2,000), and remote work equipment for CF caregivers and adult patients; Hospital Playrooms designed in partnership with Zappos for Good for pediatric CF patients; the Support Families Network connecting newly diagnosed families with experienced CF families; and the LA Fire Emergency Fund distributing air purifiers or cash grants to wildfire-affected CF families in Los Angeles County. The foundation has supported over 3,000 families and individuals across 15 years and operates with a staff of 1-10 led by Co-Founder/Executive Director Melissa Yeager.

The foundation operates a donation-based revenue model with no products or services sold at prices; instead it receives individual donations, monthly donor commitments, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising revenue. Core corporate partners include Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Viatris, Open Hearts Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and NorthStar Moving Company, with celebrity support from Sebastian Stan, Haley Lu Richardson, and connections to the film 'Five Feet Apart' and the Oscar-winning documentary 'CLAIRE.' Distribution is referral-based: hospital social workers, doctors, and nurses submit applications on behalf of patients, creating a clinically validated channel into the U.S. CF care network. The foundation has earned industry recognition including the Los Angeles Business Journal's Small Nonprofit of the Year (2014), Teen Choice Awards Pro Social Honoree (2015), Seventeen Magazine's 17 Power Teens (2016), the World of Children Youth Award (2016), Glamour Magazine's College Women of the Year (2018), and Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025). Marketing is multi-channel — website, email newsletter, YouTube, Facebook, peer-to-peer fundraising, pop-up events, and earned media in CNN, Glamour, Seventeen, Fox, ABC News, HuffPost, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, People, and Entrepreneur. The organization has no proprietary technology platform, no patents, and no AI/ML capabilities; its competitive moat is built on founder legacy, community network, and clinical referral distribution.

Name

Claire’s Place Foundation

Legal name

Claire's Place Foundation Inc.

Website

https://clairesplacefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Claire's Place Foundation is a U.S. 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2011 that provides financial grants, career support, hospital playrooms, and peer networks to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis, having served over 3,000 beneficiaries across 15 years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cystic Fibrosis Patient Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Cystic fibrosis support
• Nonprofit charity services
• Patient financial assistance
• Hospital grant programs
• Chronic disease advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Redondo Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including monthly donor programs and birthday fundraisers. Individual donations constitute the primary revenue stream supporting grant programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Support from corporate partners including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, NorthStar Moving Company, Lambda Tax LLC, Open Hearts Foundation, Viatris, and others. Corporate partnerships fund specific programs such as Work Proudly and emergency relief funds.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Revenue raised through hosted events such as pop-up fundraisers, peer-to-peer campaigns, and community events. Includes merchandise/shop sales through the online store.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Claire's Place Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that provides emotional and financial support programs to individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis. Its core offerings include Extended Hospital Stay Grants of $500–$3,500 to cover rent and utilities during 14+ day hospital admissions, the Work Proudly Program providing career coaching and up to $2,000 in certificate job training for CF caregivers and adult patients, Hospital Playrooms created in partnership with Zappos for Good, a Support Families peer network, and the LA Fire Emergency Fund offering air purifiers or cash grants to fire-affected CF families.

Product overview

Claire's Place Foundation is a nonprofit charity organization (not a technology product company) that provides a portfolio of emotional and financial support programs for individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis. The core programs include: Extended Hospital Stay Grants providing $500-$3,500 for rent/utilities during 14+ day hospitalizations; the Work Proudly Program offering career coaching, job training grants, and remote work support for CF patients and caregivers; Hospital Playrooms creating pediatric play spaces in partnership with Zappos for Good; Support Families Network facilitating peer connections between CF families; and the LA Fire Emergency Fund providing air purifiers or grants to fire-affected CF families. The organization also operates a merchandise shop and maintains educational content including the Claire documentary film.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Extended Hospital Stay Grants Financial assistance grants of $500 to $3,500 to help CF patients and families cover rent, utilities, and monthly bills during extended hospital stays of 14 or more consecutive days. One grant per family per year, accessed through referral by a hospital social worker, doctor, or nurse.
• Work Proudly Program Career empowerment program helping CF caregivers and adult patients identify careers, obtain certificate job training (up to $2,000 in support), and acquire tools such as laptops for remote/flexible work-from-home employment. Funded with support from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Viatris, Open Hearts Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
• Hospital Playrooms Bright, functional pediatric playroom spaces designed to provide play therapy and activities for children with CF spending extended time in hospitals. Designed and built in partnership with Zappos for Good and maintained with hospital Child Life Specialists.
• Support Families Network Peer support network connecting CF families with other families who provide guidance in navigating the overall care process and offer emotional support, particularly for newly diagnosed or isolated CF families.
• LA Fire Emergency Fund Temporary emergency fund providing Oransi Mod+ air purifiers or small cash grants to CF individuals and families in Los Angeles County affected by the 2025 wildfires for basic needs, temporary lodging, and respiratory protection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 families and individuals helped with Extended Hospital Stay Grants over 15 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 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.

• Zappos for GoodcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Zappos for Good partnered with Claire's Place Foundation in 2016 to design and create hospital playrooms for pediatric CF patients. Zappos for Good's dedicated team designed age-appropriate, bright, functional play spaces with activities and play therapy features. The partnership was planned and guided by Claire Wineland herself to meet the unique needs of children spending extended periods in hospitals. The playrooms are maintained in partnership with hospital Child Life Specialists.
• Vertex PharmaceuticalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVertex Pharmaceuticals is a major corporate partner and program supporter for Claire's Place Foundation, particularly for the Work Proudly Program. Vertex invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases, including cystic fibrosis. The company made the first donation to the LA Fire Emergency Fund kickoff and is listed as a key program partner on the Work Proudly Program.
• ViatriscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerViatris supports the Work Proudly Program as a key funding partner. The company believes in expanding access, dignity, and opportunity for people living with chronic illness. Their partnership helped fund participants like Lance and enables the foundation to provide personalized career guidance to adults with CF. Viatris also supported the foundation in 2025 through general program funding.
• Oransi Air PurifiersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOransi partnered with Claire's Place Foundation as part of the LA Fire Emergency Fund in 2025. The company donates state-of-the-art air purifiers (Oransi Mod+ Air Purifier) to CF families affected by the LA wildfires. Grant recipients can choose between receiving an Oransi air purifier or a small cash grant for basic needs and temporary housing.
• Sebastian StancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOscar nominee Sebastian Stan made the first and lead donation to kick off the LA Fire Emergency Fund in 2025. As a dedicated supporter of Claire's Place Foundation, his high-profile endorsement helped launch the emergency relief initiative for CF families affected by the LA wildfires.
• Buffalo ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuffalo Exchange partnered with Claire's Place Foundation to host a two-day fundraising pop-up event in Los Angeles in November 2025. Actor Haley Lu Richardson donated her clothing and accessories for sale at the event, with all proceeds benefiting CF-affected families. The event included a sweepstakes for a unique sweater created by Richardson.
• Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCFRI is listed as an additional program supporter for the LA Fire Emergency Fund. As an organization offering educational and supportive services to the CF community, their partnership reinforces the foundation's emergency response for families affected by the 2025 LA wildfires.
• NorthStar Moving CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorthStar Moving Company is a co-founder of award-winning moving services and a corporate partner of Claire's Place Foundation. Laura McHolm, co-founder of NorthStar Moving, serves as Chairman of the Board of Claire's Place Foundation, creating a deep personal and professional connection between the organizations.
• Lambda Tax LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLambda Tax LLC is a sliding-scale co-op tax practice and corporate partner of Claire's Place Foundation. The company provides tax services and has an ongoing partnership with the foundation to support its mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: The largest U.S. nonprofit focused on cystic fibrosis, funding research, care, and patient support. Directly comparable as a CF-focused nonprofit also providing financial assistance, community programs, and corporate partnerships, though at significantly larger scale.
• Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI): CF-focused nonprofit providing educational programs, research funding, and community support services. Comparable as a direct peer in the CF space, already listed as a partner of Claire's Place Foundation.
• Boomer Esiason Foundation: Another disease-specific nonprofit supporting the cystic fibrosis community through scholarships, grants, and research funding. Comparable mission and beneficiary base, though with a different founding narrative (sports celebrity).
• HealthWell Foundation: Nonprofit providing financial assistance to underinsured patients with chronic illnesses for out-of-pocket medical costs. Comparable model of grant-based financial aid to patients, though covering many conditions rather than a single disease.

Broad incumbents

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Largest U.S. rare disease umbrella organization providing patient assistance programs, advocacy, and research grants. Comparable as a disease-specific nonprofit delivering financial assistance and community support, but at a much broader scale across 7,000+ rare diseases.
• Global Genes: Rare disease advocacy organization offering patient support, education, and community-building programs. Comparable as a peer support and awareness network for the rare disease community, including CF.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Large nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses including CF. Comparable as a high-profile, founder/celebrity-driven pediatric chronic illness nonprofit reliant on corporate partnerships and donor fundraising.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Provides housing and support to families of hospitalized children, including CF patients. Comparable model of providing financial and emotional relief to families during extended hospital stays.

Emerging players

• Children's Tumor Foundation: Disease-specific nonprofit supporting patients with neurofibromatosis (NF) through research, patient support, and community programs. Comparable as a smaller, disease-specific nonprofit supporting pediatric chronic illness families.
• Miracle Flights: Nonprofit providing free air travel to children with serious medical conditions for specialized care. Comparable as a small, mission-driven nonprofit addressing financial and logistical barriers for chronically ill children and their families.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/clairesplace1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/claires-place-foundation-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Claire’s Place Foundation