What The EPIC Foundation does

The EPIC Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit organization established in 2016 and headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, that provides free support, advocacy, and resources to individuals affected by invisible chronic illnesses. Its primary constituents are patients with rare endocrine and adrenal conditions — Cushing's Syndrome, Addison's Disease, and Adrenal Insufficiency — along with their caregivers and, secondarily, medical professionals. The foundation explicitly frames its value proposition around a mind-body-spirit model, employing trained clinical psychologists to staff what it describes as the only chronic-illness-dedicated mental health support line. EIN: 81-4398058.

The organization's service portfolio includes a free individual and family membership program, a toll-free patient support line, HIPAA-compliant interventions during hospitalizations and ER visits, insurance appeal services, Zoom-based support groups and webinars, an annual conference (planned), and Sydney's Fund, a financial assistance program for medical expenses. It distributes an extensive content library through its website, blog, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), email newsletters, and a podcast/multimedia presence. An affiliate network of seven organizations (NADF, Cushing's Help, Adrenal Alternatives Foundation, SOLUtion Medical, Rare Patient Voice, Wanngi, International Association of Women) extends its referral reach.

The foundation is funded almost entirely through individual tax-deductible donations, with weekly recurring giving tiers ranging from $15 to $150 USD, supplemented by merchandise sales (T-Tapp workout DVDs, T-Shirts, bracelets, stress balls). Membership and core services are offered at no cost. The organization is founder-led by Dr. N. Karen Thames, PsyD, who established it to address gaps in mental health, trauma, and grief support within the chronic illness population. No parent company, institutional investors, or major grant funders are disclosed.

Name

The EPIC Foundation

Legal name

The EPIC Foundation

Website

https://epictogether.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The EPIC Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit founded in 2016 that provides free support, advocacy, and resources to individuals affected by invisible chronic illnesses, particularly Cushing's and Addison's disease, along with their caregivers, funded primarily through individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Plaines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The EPIC Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit organization that relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals. Weekly automatic donation options range from $15 to $125 USD. Gifts can be made in memory or honor of loved ones.
2. Free Membership Program: Individual and family membership to The EPIC Foundation is absolutely 100% FREE. The organization offers this free of charge to support patients and caregivers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The EPIC Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit that provides free membership-based support, advocacy, and educational resources to individuals and caregivers affected by invisible chronic illnesses such as Cushing's Syndrome, Addison's Disease, and Adrenal Insufficiency. Core services include a toll-free mental health support line staffed by trained psychologists, HIPAA-compliant hospital/ER interventions, insurance appeal assistance, virtual support groups, educational literature, and the Sydney's Fund financial assistance program for medical needs.

Product overview

The EPIC Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit organization that operates as a single, unified support platform offering multiple services to empower people with invisible chronic illnesses. The core offering consists of free membership programs providing access to patient/caregiver support services, advocacy assistance, and educational resources. Key products include Sydney's Fund (financial medical assistance), T-Tapp Workout DVDs (endorsed movement therapy), educational brochures and literature on chronic illnesses, and empowerment merchandise. The organization also hosts support groups and webinars via Zoom and plans annual conferences for community empowerment. All core support services are free, with additional products like T-Tapp DVDs and merchandise available for purchase to support the organization's mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Free individual and family membership providing access to support services, educational resources, advocacy support, and community connection for individuals and caregivers affected by chronic illness.
• Sydney's Fund Financial assistance program providing funds to patients for medical needs including expenses related to seeking a diagnosis, current medical expenses, medications not covered by insurance, and other necessities for sustaining life or maintaining quality of life.
• Patient and Caregiver Support Services Staff-supported patient support line, active patient outreach, email support, HIPAA-compliant interventions during hospitalizations and ER visits, insurance appeal services, and research for viable resources for patients and caregivers.
• Support Groups and Webinars Virtual support groups and educational webinars conducted via Zoom platform for patient and caregiver empowerment.
• Annual Conference In-person conference hosting planned for empowerment of chronic illness warriors, with conference attendance sponsored for individuals who need financial assistance.
• Educational Brochures and Literature Printed and digital educational materials on various chronic illnesses including Cushing's Syndrome, Addison's Disease, and other related conditions.
• Empowerment Products Products including T-Shirts, bracelets, stress balls, and other items to support the EPIC community and raise awareness.
• T-Tapp Workout DVDs Endorsed method of movement for patients, provided as an endorsed product to improve health outcomes.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 minor.

• International Association of WomenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as an affiliate organization, providing networking and support services for women in the chronic illness community.
• Adrenal Alternatives FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization focused on adrenal disease awareness and patient support, aligned with EPIC's mission.
• NADF (National Adrenal Diseases Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization dedicated to adrenal disease awareness and support, aligned with EPIC's focus on adrenal insufficiency and related conditions.
• Cushing's HelpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing Cushing's patient support organization and resource hub, serving as a key affiliate for the EPIC community.
• Rare Patient VoiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting rare disease patients with opportunities to share their experiences and contribute to research.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Global Genes: Global rare-disease advocacy nonprofit building awareness, education, and patient community resources. Comparable to EPIC given its emphasis on rare and often-invisible chronic conditions and community-led support model.
• Pituitary Network Association: International nonprofit supporting patients with pituitary disorders including Cushing's Disease. Comparable because it operates in the same Cushing's/pituitary endocrine niche and provides education, support, and advocacy similar to EPIC.
• Cushing's Help: Patient-driven support organization and resource hub for Cushing's Syndrome and Cushing's Disease. Directly comparable as it serves the same Cushing's patient community, and EPIC explicitly lists it as a key long-standing affiliate.
• Adrenal Alternatives Foundation: Nonprofit focused on adrenal disease awareness and patient support. Directly comparable to EPIC given overlapping adrenal-insufficiency mission and affiliate-partner status.
• National Adrenal Diseases Foundation (NADF): Long-standing US nonprofit dedicated to adrenal disease awareness, education, and patient support. Directly comparable to EPIC because it serves the same Addison's Disease and Adrenal Insufficiency patient population and is itself listed as one of EPIC's affiliate organizations.
• MAGIC Foundation: Nonprofit providing support and education for families affected by growth-related and endocrine disorders. Comparable because it operates in adjacent rare endocrine conditions with a similar patient-education and peer-support model.
• Adrenal Insufficiency United: Patient advocacy organization for people with adrenal insufficiency and Addison's Disease. Comparable because it targets the same adrenal-insufficiency population with education, advocacy, and peer support similar to EPIC's offering.
• Cushing's Support & Research Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to supporting patients with Cushing's and funding related research. Directly comparable to EPIC given shared Cushing's focus and combined patient-support plus research orientation.

Broad incumbents

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Large US umbrella organization representing the rare-disease community across 300+ conditions. Comparable as a broad incumbent that covers EPIC's Cushing's and Addison's populations alongside many other rare diseases, providing grants, advocacy, and research programs.
• EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases: Public-policy focused rare disease nonprofit advocating for legislation and patient access. Comparable as a broader rare-disease player that overlaps with EPIC's advocacy and access-to-care agenda.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@epictogether1594
• Facebookfacebook.com/epictogether
• Instagraminstagram.com/epictogether
• Xx.com/epictogether
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empowering-people-with-invisible-chronic-illness-the-epic-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 EPIC Foundation