Bert's Big Adventure
Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 in Atlanta that provides all-expenses-paid Walt Disney World trips and year-round hospital and reunion support for Georgia children ages 5-12 with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families, funded by individual donations and a multi-year corporate partner network built on The Bert Show radio audience.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bert's Big Adventure does
Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia, by media personality Bert Weiss, host of the nationally syndicated Bert Show on Q99.7. The organization provides an all-expenses-paid five-day Walt Disney World trip each year for children ages 5-12 with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families, primarily permanent residents of Georgia who live within The Bert Show's radio listening area. Year-round, it operates three supporting programs: Family Reunion Adventures (quarterly VIP events at Atlanta venues such as Six Flags, Georgia Aquarium, and Fox Theatre), a Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program launched in 2010 with Carter's sponsorship that places trained volunteers at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for daily hospital visits, and end-of-life financial assistance covering funeral costs for children who pass away. Since 2003, the organization has served nearly 300 families, scaling from an inaugural 7-family trip to 12-15 families annually.
The business model is donation-funded with no fees charged to families. Revenue sources include individual donations (one-time, recurring, monthly, and birthday-tribute), corporate sponsorships structured into tiered partnership brackets (Star Steward, Magic Maker, Dream Builder, Wish Granter, Legacy Partner), planned and legacy giving administered with The Private Client Law Group of Atlanta, third-party fundraising events, and year-round partner promotions with brands including Zaxbys, Häagen-Dazs, Chiringa, Gas South, Audi Atlanta, Endeavor Air, and Hilton. Applications are submitted through the website via Formstack and nominations flow through The Bert Show radio audience and peer referrals.
Operationally, the organization runs on a lean team of 1-10 paid staff led by Founder Bert Weiss and Executive Director Molly Darby (with the organization since 2007, ED since 2014), augmented by a four-person volunteer medical team (two physicians and two nurses) for the annual trip. The technology stack is entirely third-party SaaS — Wufoo for volunteer and donor forms, Formstack for family applications, and Crowdrise for personal fundraising pages — with no proprietary platform, mobile app, public API, or data assets. The organization does not operate in technology or AI; its competitive moat is the radio-backed brand, the lifelong alumni family community, and an embedded multi-year corporate partner network that provides both cash and in-kind trip logistics.
Bert's Big Adventure firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bert's Big Adventure
- Legal name
- Bert's Big Adventure
- Website
- https://bertsbigadventure.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 in Atlanta that provides all-expenses-paid Walt Disney World trips and year-round hospital and reunion support for Georgia children ages 5-12 with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families, funded by individual donations and a multi-year corporate partner network built on The Bert Show radio audience.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bert's Big Adventure industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Charity Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (561520), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development) (THAAAAAO)
Keywords
Where Bert's Big Adventure is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Bert's Big Adventure business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission. Donors can give via website, phone, or mail.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners (Zaxbys, Gas South, Audi Atlanta, GAMOA, etc.) provide monetary donations, product donations, and event sponsorships. GAMOA raised nearly $800,000; Gas South and Zaxbys each donated over $500,000.
- Planned Giving: Estate planning and legacy giving programs. The Private Client Law Group of Atlanta assists with planned giving. Contact: [email protected]
- Third-Party Fundraising Events: Community members host fundraising events (golf tournaments, giveback nights, fun runs) with proceeds benefiting the organization. Guidelines and approval process required.
- Special Programs: Monthly giving program, Bert's Big Birthday Club (asking friends/family to donate in lieu of birthday gifts), travel raffles (Delta Vacations), partner promotions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for qualifying families |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Bert's Big Adventure product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides an annual all-expenses-paid five-day Walt Disney World trip for children ages 5–12 with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families in Georgia. It supplements the trip with year-round support including quarterly Family Reunion Adventures, the Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program that visits hospitalized children, and End-of-Life Services that cover funeral costs. All programs are delivered free of charge to qualifying families and funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Product overview
Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a unified charitable service centered on providing magical experiences for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. The core offering is the annual five-day Walt Disney World Trip Program, supplemented by year-round support through Family Reunion Adventures (quarterly VIP events), the Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program (hospital visits), and End-of-Life Services (funeral cost coverage). Additional support services include donation processing, fundraising event hosting, and online donation campaign tools. Together, these programs create a lifelong community of compassion and belonging for served families.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Walt Disney World Trip Program All-expenses-paid five-day journey to Walt Disney World for children ages 5–12 with chronic or terminal illnesses and their immediate families, including limo rides, chartered flights, lodging, meals, character parties, princess makeovers, and a Bert's Big Adventure liaison accompanying each family.
- Family Reunion Adventures Quarterly VIP events for all Bert's Big Adventure families, providing exclusive experiences and intimate family time at Atlanta-area venues such as Six Flags Over Georgia, Georgia Aquarium, Dave & Buster's, Fox Theatre, and Gwinnett Field.
- Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program Volunteer program providing daily hospital visits to Bert's Big Adventure children at partner hospitals (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta), bringing toys, activities, food, and support during hospitalization. Volunteers must live within an hour of Atlanta and commit to a minimum one-year service term.
- End-of-Life Services Funeral cost coverage for any Bert's Big Adventure child who passes away, allowing families to focus on healing during grief.
- Donation Processing Multiple donation options including one-time and recurring gifts, planned giving through The Private Client Law Group of Atlanta, Bert's Big Birthday Club, monthly giving program, travel raffles (Delta Vacations), and mail-in checks. Donations accepted via website, phone at (678) 929-8474, and mail.
- Fundraising Event Hosting Third-party fundraising event support including guidelines, terms of agreement, and approval process for individuals or organizations hosting fundraising events (e.g., golf tournaments, giveback nights, fun runs) in support of Bert's Big Adventure.
- Online Donation Campaigns (Crowdrise) Personal online fundraising pages hosted on the Crowdrise platform for birthdays, holidays, honoring friends, or general support, allowing supporters to set goals and solicit donations from friends, family, and community.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 300 families served since 2002
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Bert's Big Adventure
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bert's Big Adventure technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Bert's Big Adventure partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered magic maker, star steward, legacy partner, dream builder, wish granter, special thanks and core.
- Endeavor Airmagic makerEndeavor Air has been flying Bert's Big Adventure VIP kids and their families to and from Walt Disney World since 2018 in extraordinary style.
- Gas Southstar stewardLeading natural gas provider Gas South has donated more than a half a million dollars since 2017. Their purpose is to be a fuel for good in the community. Sponsors Family Reunion Adventures and provides tickets to events.
- Audi Atlantastar stewardAudi Atlanta has been a proud sponsor since 2014. They donated a brand new Audi Q3 for annual raffle which raised $262,400 to support VIP kids.
- Avalonstar stewardAvalon hosted the 10th annual Noon to Night event in 2024, raising $100,000 for Bert's Big Adventure and helping make kids feel like true VIPs.
- GAMOA (Georgia Amusement and Music Operators Association)star stewardGAMOA selected Bert's Big Adventure as beneficiary for their annual Southern Amusement and Entertainment Expo for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. Members and attendees raised nearly $800,000.
- Q99.7star stewardQ99.7 and Cumulus Media are the exclusive radio home of Bert's Big Adventure. They provide broadcasts from send-off celebrations to daily trip updates.
- Zaxby'sstar stewardOver 6 years, Zaxby's has donated more than a half a million dollars. Partnership includes Go Big Campaign, matching sponsorships, milkshake promotions, and The Little Give matching program. They also donate meals for family events.
- Hilton Atlanta Airportmagic makerHilton Atlanta Airport welcomed all new Bert's Big Adventure families before flying to Florida for the 2020 trip and has continued since. They believe in giving back to their community.
- Salt Run Creativemagic makerSalt Run Creative has been helping Bert's Big Adventure capture special moments and creatively present them to supporters for years. They help with video, website, and creative needs.
- EdmundBirchmagic makerEdmundBirch works closely with the organization in developing and promoting the brand, including the magazine and print promotions.
- Carter'slegacy partnerCarter's, Inc. sponsors the Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program, allowing Bert's Big Adventure families to be visited daily when a child is admitted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
- Delta Vacationsdream builderDelta Vacations provides travel raffle prizes, including $15,000 vacation packages. Raised funds support Bert's Big Adventure programs.
- Häagen-Dazswish granterHäagen-Dazs participates in special events including 100% of sales supporting Bert's Big Adventure on designated days.
- The Private Client Law Group of Atlantaspecial thanksAssists Bert's Big Adventure with all Planned Giving and Legacy Programs. Helps maintain donor privacy and works with estate planning attorneys for future giving.
- Children's Healthcare of AtlantacorePartner hospital where Fairy Godparent volunteers visit Bert's Big Adventure children daily during hospitalization. Medical staff from Children's assist during annual trip.
- Mattelspecial thanksMattel made a Bert's Big Adventure child's Barbie dreams come true, providing special experiences beyond the standard program.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bert's Big Adventure competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Make-A-Wish Foundation: The largest U.S. wish-granting nonprofit for children with critical illnesses, also sending families to Walt Disney World. It is the most direct functional peer — same beneficiary definition, same Disney-trip delivery model, but at vastly greater national scale and reach.
- Kids Wish Network: National charity granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, including theme park trips. Directly comparable in mission, beneficiary definition, and Disney-style trip delivery, though it has operated amid public scrutiny over fundraising efficiency.
- A Special Wish Foundation: Regional wish-granting nonprofit serving children with life-threatening disorders, primarily in Ohio, with chapters elsewhere. Closely mirrors Bert's Big Adventure's model of all-expenses-paid trips (often Disney), small staff, and chapter-based volunteer delivery.
- Sunshine Foundation: Grants wishes to chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged, and abused children ages 3–18, including dream trips to theme parks. Comparable in mission, beneficiary age range, and trip-delivery model, though it operates at a smaller national footprint.
- Dream Factory: Volunteer-based nonprofit granting dreams to critically and chronically ill children ages 3–18. Closely mirrors Bert's Big Adventure's small-staff, volunteer-driven, chapter-based wish-trip model at a comparable national scale.
- Give Kids The World Village: Nonprofit resort village near Walt Disney World that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations specifically to children with critical illnesses and their families. Direct peer because Bert's Big Adventure purchases lodging/transport for the same Disney-area wish-trip product that Give Kids The World specializes in.
Broad incumbents
- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: National nonprofit raising funds for children's hospitals, with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta among its partner hospitals. Comparable through the hospital-system partnership that Bert's Big Adventure also leverages, but operates a fundraising/grant model rather than direct service delivery.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities: Large national nonprofit keeping families with sick children close to medical care via lodging and in-hospital support rooms. Comparable mission of reducing financial/social burden on families with seriously ill children, with much greater geographic footprint and corporate backing.
Emerging players
- Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit focused on delivering happiness to hospitalized children through hospital-based programs, toy deliveries, and wish-adjacent experiences. Comparable to the Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program portion of Bert's model, though it does not run the Disney-trip core product.
- Morgan's Wonderland: Ultra-accessible theme park in San Antonio designed for guests with special needs and disabilities. Comparable because it provides inclusive theme-park experiences for children who are physically or medically challenged, intersecting with Bert's Big Adventure's beneficiary population.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bert's Big Adventure social profiles
Digital presenceBert's Big Adventure financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bert's Big Adventure leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Bert's Big Adventure funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bert's Big Adventure M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bert's Big Adventure
What does Bert's Big Adventure do?
Bert's Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides an annual all-expenses-paid five-day Walt Disney World trip for children ages 5–12 with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families in Georgia. It supplements the trip with year-round support including quarterly Family Reunion Adventures, the Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program that visits hospitalized children, and End-of-Life Services that cover funeral costs. All programs are delivered free of charge to qualifying families and funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Is Bert's Big Adventure a public or private company?
Bert's Big Adventure is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bert's Big Adventure founded?
Bert's Big Adventure was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Bert's Big Adventure based?
Bert's Big Adventure is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bert's Big Adventure make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, planned Giving, third-Party Fundraising Events and special Programs.
Who are Bert's Big Adventure's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Make-A-Wish Foundation, Kids Wish Network, A Special Wish Foundation, Sunshine Foundation, Dream Factory and Give Kids The World Village. Broad incumbents are Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Emerging players are Starlight Children's Foundation and Morgan's Wonderland.
Does Bert's Big Adventure have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bert's Big Adventure.
What industry is Bert's Big Adventure in?
Bert's Big Adventure's product category is Children's Charity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAB, Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs, with a secondary code of THAAAAAO, Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development). Its NAICS code is 561520 and its SIC code is 7900.