Candlelighters NYC

What Candlelighters NYC does

Candlelighters NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2007 and headquartered at 345 East 73rd Street in Manhattan, that provides free emotional and practical support to families of children with cancer who travel to New York City for treatment. Its service portfolio includes direct in-kind provisioning (strollers, clothing for NYC winters, food gift cards), hospital-side accompaniment during surgeries and scans, structured celebratory events (birthday and holiday parties), and curated cultural experiences (museum and zoo passes, VIP Central Park concert access, private screenings, ABT dance encounters). The organization introduces families to one another to mitigate isolation and operates a Manhattan apartment that functions as a hospitality hub and event venue. It does not operate a technology platform, software product, or AI-driven service; all delivery is human-mediated through staff, founder-led outreach, and a volunteer network.

The organization is led by founder and Executive Director Barbara Zobian and governed by a Board of Directors including Chairman Aaron Horn, Vice President Rachel Wilson, Treasurer Talia Houminer, Secretary & Director of Development Samantha Rohlman, and Volunteer Coordinator Amy Gallet. Clinical credibility is anchored by a Medical Advisory Board of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center physicians, including Michael P. La Quaglia, Brian H. Kushner, Nai-Kong V. Cheung, and Mark M. Souweidane. The core referral and operational partnership is with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, supplemented by Ronald McDonald House New York and a broad network of in-kind civic, cultural, and corporate partners (Central Park Police, ABT, NYPD/K-9, FDNY Marine 1, FAO Schwarz, Spirit Halloween, Sugar Factory, Veniero's, Maz Mezcal, MOMA, Whitney, Cooper Hewitt, Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Amazon/AMC, CMOM NYC, Color Me Mine UWS, Sunrise Day Camp, and Humble Heroes NY).

The business model is donation-based: Candlelighters NYC is funded entirely by charitable contributions from individuals, organizations, and corporate partners, with EIN 20-8580720 and tax-deductible donation status. All services are provided at no cost to eligible families. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, there are no funding rounds, and headcount is in the 1–10 range. The go-to-market is community-led, with hospital referrals, word-of-mouth from served families, Instagram (@candlelightersnyc), and earned media (CNN Champions for Change 2018, NY1 New Yorker of the Week 2021, GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofit 2020) as the principal awareness channels. Geographic scope is the Metro NYC area, serving families traveling to NYC for pediatric oncology treatment.

Name

Candlelighters NYC

Legal name

Candlelighters of New York City Inc

Website

https://candlelightersnyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Candlelighters NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that provides free emotional and practical support to families of children with cancer receiving treatment in New York City, funded entirely by charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Family Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Child and Youth Services (624110), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer support
• Childhood cancer families
• Nonprofit family services
• Pediatric oncology support
• Charitable family assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Candlelighters NYC is funded entirely through charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and corporate partners. Donations cover all operational expenses including event costs (food, toys, transportation), strollers, clothing, food gift cards, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and museum/zoo passes for families.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Candlelighters NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, in-person support services to families of children undergoing cancer treatment in New York City, most of whom are patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The organization provides emotional support, hospital accompaniment during surgeries and scans, practical necessities (City Jogger strollers, winter clothing, food gift cards), and celebratory experiences including birthday parties, holiday events, VIP concert access, museum/zoo passes, and outings across NYC. All services are provided at no cost to families and are funded entirely through charitable donations.

Product overview

Candlelighters NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that provides emotional support and practical assistance to families of children fighting cancer. The organization is not a technology product company but rather offers direct family support services including emotional support, stroller provision, hospital support, clothing assistance, birthday and holiday parties, special events, museum/zoo passes, care packages, food gift cards, and transportation support. The organization has no formal technology products, modules, or software offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospital Support Services Direct in-person and logistical support for families during a child's cancer surgeries, scans, and hospital stays at NYC treatment centers (notably Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), provided free of charge through staff visits and trained volunteers.
• Practical Assistance Program Distribution of practical necessities to families in NYC, including City Jogger strollers, winter clothing, food gift cards, care packages, and transportation support, provided free of charge to ease the logistical burden of extended stays during pediatric cancer treatment.
• Birthday and Holiday Celebrations Hosted birthday parties and holiday celebrations for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families, including Halloween parties with Sugar Factory, Mother's and Easter events, and holiday celebrations with partners such as Veniero's and NYPD, provided free of charge.
• Central Park Concert VIP Access Program VIP access to all Central Park concerts for Candlelighters NYC families, including the Good Morning America concert series, New York Philharmonic performances, and Global Citizens Music Festival, made possible through a relationship with the Central Park Police.
• Museum and Zoo Pass Program Free passes provided to families for The MOMA, The Whitney, Cooper Hewitt, The Central Park Zoo, The Bronx Zoo and Aquarium, and other NYC museums and attractions, giving children and their families access to cultural and recreational outings during treatment.
• Hospital Partnership Referrals (MSKCC & Ronald McDonald House New York) Formal referral-based pathway through which families whose children receive treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and families staying at Ronald McDonald House New York, are introduced to and enrolled in Candlelighters NYC's free support services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Families receive comprehensive support through all stages of cancer treatment including discovery, diagnosis, treatment and remission.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandlelighters NYC works closely with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, supporting families whose children receive treatment there. Many families are referred through MSKCC and the organization provides support during surgeries, scans, and hospital stays at this facility.
• Central Park PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandlelighters NYC has a close relationship with the Central Park Police, providing VIP access to all Central Park concerts for families. This includes access to the Good Morning America concert series, New York Philharmonic performances, and Global Citizens Music Festival.
• American Ballet Theatre (ABT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABT dancer Virginia Lensi partnered with Candlelighters NYC for the 'Little Dancing Stars' program, bringing joy through dance to children fighting cancer. ABT dancers have also visited children at the Candlelighters apartment.
• NYPD and K-9 UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYPD and the K-9 Unit made a generous donation of toys and gift cards for Candlelighters NYC families. The organization also has connections with NYPD Transit Bureau and MTA K-9 units.
• FDNY Marine 1minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDNY Marine 1 boat has taken Candlelighters NYC families on tours around Manhattan, providing special experiences for children fighting cancer.
• Sugar FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSugar Factory donates Halloween parties for Candlelighters NYC families, providing costumes and a fun celebration for children during treatment.
• Maz MezcalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaz Mezcal restaurant hosts birthday parties and celebrations for Candlelighters NYC families, including special Spanish birthday songs and treats.
• Veniero's PastryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeniero's provides pastries and treats for holiday celebrations, including Santa visits at Bloomingdales.
• Museum Partners (MOMA, Whitney, Cooper Hewitt, Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandlelighters NYC provides free passes to The MOMA, The Whitney, Cooper Hewitt, The Central Park Zoo, and The Bronx Zoo and Aquarium for families.
• Amazon and AMC TheatresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon and AMC Theatres coordinated and hosted a private screening of 'The Sheep Detectives' movie for Candlelighters NYC families.
• FAO SchwarzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO Schwarz allowed Candlelighters NYC families a special VIP experience before the store opened, including playing with toys, trying the famous piano, and receiving gifts.
• Spirit HalloweenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpirit Halloween hosted a private costume shopping event for Candlelighters NYC families, allowing children to pick out any costume they wanted at no cost.
• Humble Heroes NYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumble Heroes NY teamed up with NYPD and Candlelighters NYC to deliver holiday joy in Central Park to families impacted by childhood cancer, including food, gifts, and Santa visits.
• CMOM NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMOM NYC (Children's Museum of Manhattan) has provided experiences and support for Candlelighters NYC families.
• Color Me Mine Upper West SideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColor Me Mine UWS has provided art experiences and support for Candlelighters NYC families.
• Sunrise Day CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandlelighters NYC provides information about Sunrise Day Camp, a member of the Sunrise Association that brings joy of childhood to children with cancer through free summer day camps and year-round programs in the Metro NY area.
• Ronald McDonald House New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandlelighters NYC partners with the Ronald McDonald House in NYC, where many families stay during extended treatment periods. Barbara and volunteers have welcomed families at the RMH and provided support.
• Candlelighters National OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandlelighters NYC is affiliated with the Candlelighters National Office, which provides resources and support for childhood cancer organizations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: National nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses including cancer. Comparable mission and beneficiary base but operates at vastly greater scale with a national footprint and established corporate partnerships.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: National nonprofit focused on pediatric cancer research funding and family resources. Comparable disease focus but oriented primarily toward research rather than direct family support services.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National childhood cancer nonprofit funding research and family support. Comparable pediatric cancer focus but with a primary emphasis on research grants and a national scope rather than direct NYC family services.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Leading pediatric cancer treatment and research institution that also provides extensive family support services during treatment. Comparable mission but operates its own hospital and research infrastructure rather than serving families through external hospital partnerships.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Global nonprofit operating family housing and support programs near children's hospitals worldwide. Closely aligned with the family-accommodation mission and a documented partner of Candlelighters NYC through the NYC chapter.
• Children's Cancer Research Fund: National nonprofit funding childhood cancer research while supporting families. Comparable mission alignment on pediatric cancer family support, but with a regional anchor in the Twin Cities rather than NYC.

Emerging players

• Cancer Kids First: Smaller, youth-led nonprofit supporting children with cancer through gift drives and care packages. Comparable mission and beneficiary demographic but operates nationally through volunteer chapters rather than a single geographic hub.
• Flashes of Hope: Nonprofit providing free professional photography and uplifting experiences to children with cancer. Comparable experiential support model and partnership-driven approach, but focuses on a single service line rather than comprehensive family support.

Direct peers

• Ronald McDonald House New York: Provides housing and supportive services to families of pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment in NYC. Most directly comparable as a NYC-based nonprofit serving the same MSKCC-adjacent population through a documented partnership with Candlelighters NYC.
• Sunrise Association (Sunrise Day Camp): Operates free summer day camps and year-round programs for children with cancer in the Metro NY area. Directly comparable as a regional nonprofit serving the same family demographic through experiential programming, and a documented referral partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NYCandlelighter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=7VyGupzKL6Y
• Instagraminstagram.com/candlelightersnyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/candlelightersnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/candlelighters-nyc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Candlelighters NYC