What Cure Kids does

Cure Kids is a New Zealand registered charity (CC25350), founded in 1971 by Rotary as the Child Health Research Foundation and headquartered in Auckland. It is the country's largest charitable funder of child health research, having administered more than $70M of research funding across 700+ completed projects and currently supporting over $10M of active research spanning 102 active projects, 13 health condition areas, and 113 researchers at universities across New Zealand. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable giving: individual donations (one-off and Cure Kids Manawa regular giving), payroll giving, gifts in wills, corporate partnerships across Platinum, Key, and Associate tiers, and fundraising events led by the Red Nose Day campaign. The organization operates three principal entities — Cure Kids (core charity), Cure Kids Fiji (regional Pacific extension), and Cure Kids Ventures (commercialization arm for research IP) — alongside strategic research relationships with University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, University of Waikato, and Starship Children's Hospital. Notable funded outputs include the SUDI safe-sleep research program (preventing an estimated 200+ infant deaths annually), therapeutic brain cooling now standard internationally, gene therapy work for Batten disease, a hydrocephalus brain pressure implant, and digital mental health e-therapies.

Name

Cure Kids

Legal name

Cure Kids

Website

https://curekids.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cure Kids is a New Zealand registered charity that funds child health research across 13 condition areas. It raises donations, corporate partnerships, legacy gifts, and event proceeds to support 102 active projects and 113 researchers at New Zealand universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Research Funding

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Child health research funding
• Charitable fundraising
• Medical research grants
• Pediatric research funding
• Nonprofit health charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations through one-off and regular giving programs. Regular donors (Cure Kids Manawa) provide ongoing support. One-off donations available via website. Tax receipts provided for all donations.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses at Platinum, Key, and Associate levels. Partners contribute through direct funding, fundraising activities, event sponsorship, and in-kind support.
3. Legacy Giving: Gifts in Wills (bequests) from supporters who leave planned giving. These extraordinary humans enable long-term research funding.
4. Payroll Giving: Employees can donate directly from their salary, receiving immediate tax credits.
5. Fundraising Events: Red Nose Day and other fundraising events engage community and corporate supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Cure Kids is a registered New Zealand charitable organization that raises funds through individual donations, corporate partnerships, payroll giving, legacy gifts, and fundraising events to finance child health research. It currently supports over $10 million of active research projects across 13 health condition areas, managing 102 active projects and 113 researchers at New Zealand universities and institutions. The organization distributes research funding grants through a researcher portal and is governed by a Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee.

Product overview

Cure Kids operates as a charitable research funding organization rather than a commercial product company. The organization raises funds to support world-class child health research and manages a portfolio of funded research projects across 13 health condition categories. The core offering consists of research funding programs distributed to researchers through the Researcher Portal grants management system, complemented by initiatives like the State of Child Health Report that inform national health priorities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Red Nose Day: An annual fundraising campaign and initiative run by Cure Kids to raise awareness and funds for child health research.
• Cure Kids Fiji
• Cure Kids Ventures

Products and services

• Research Funding Programs Funded grants that support child health research projects across 13 health condition areas including preterm health, childhood cancers, rheumatic heart disease, mental health, genetic conditions, and rare disorders. Available to researchers at New Zealand universities and institutions, with current funding exceeding $10M across 102 active projects.
• Researcher Portal Online grants management platform at grants.curekids.org.nz that enables researchers to apply for Cure Kids funding, manage research projects, and submit progress reports. Used by 113 researchers across New Zealand institutions.
• State of Child Health Report A comprehensive research report that elevates national focus on child health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Championed by former CEO Frances Soutter as a flagship initiative to inform national health priorities.

Quantifiable outcome

• SUDI prevention research has prevented at least 200 deaths every year through safe sleep advice
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BayleysflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner supporting Cure Kids through the Bayleys Foundation. Teams across New Zealand host and participate in fundraising activities including golf days, Rebel 24 Hour Challenge, Red Nose Day, and more.
• Briscoe GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCornerstone partner for more than 10 years. Participates in Red Nose Day, Add What You Can, and Christmas campaigns. Staff, suppliers, and customers fundraise and raise awareness.
• CP Group of HotelsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPassionate supporters raising funds through staff fundraising, guest contributions, event support, and AccorHotels Race to Survive Fiji. Supports work in both New Zealand and Fiji.
• JCDecauxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey Partner since 2021. Market leaders in outdoor advertising with 500+ billboards and exclusive presence in three of New Zealand's busiest airports. Helps raise awareness and drive fundraising.
• Russell McVeaghcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey Partner providing ongoing pro bono legal advice. Approximately 350 staff and partners across Auckland and Wellington offices.
• RotarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded Cure Kids in 1971 as Child Health Research Foundation. Rotary Clubs across NZ continue strong relationship, raising funds through events like $10 Queenstown Challenge, Dunedin Duck Race, and Red Nose Day.
• Ingram MicrocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey Partner and world's largest distributor of computer/technology products. Supports through annual golf day and fundraising initiatives.
• Columbus CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey Partner - NZ owned and managed cafes throughout the country committed to raising funds for Cure Kids through various initiatives.
• Avis Budget GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey Partner since 2006, officially key partner since 2012. Undertakes wide range of fundraising activities including Red Nose Day support and annual golf days.
• ArmacupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey Partner since 2003 showing passion and commitment. Supports financially and promotes to business network, helping facilitate partner introductions.
• AramexcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCourier partner for Red Nose Day since 2016. Collects merchandise from Auckland distribution centre and distributes to retail outlets and community partners.
• BNZ (Bank of New Zealand)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner supporting Cure Kids through various activities.
• Cavell LeitchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner providing support to Cure Kids.
• Kelly SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• ISSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• HansenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• Meet MagicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• Mondiale VGLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• EP NSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• SovtechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• CenturiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Partner.
• University of AucklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research partner hosting numerous Cure Kids-funded researchers across various health disciplines including the Liggins Institute and Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
• University of OtagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research partner with researchers in Christchurch and Wellington campuses working on child health research funded by Cure Kids.
• Starship Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor clinical partner where many researchers practice and conduct research. Treated 75% of Kiwi children diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
• University of CanterburycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner hosting researchers working on child health projects including Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
• University of WaikatominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner with researchers including Professor Rich Masters in Te Huataki Waiora School of Health.
• Cure Kids FijicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization in Fiji extending Cure Kids' child health research mission to the Pacific region.
• Cure Kids VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate entity (curekidsventures.co.nz) focused on commercializing research outcomes and supporting technology transfer from Cure Kids-funded research.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: US childhood cancer research charity funded via grassroots events and corporate partnerships. Comparable event-driven (Red Nose Day-like) fundraising model for pediatric research, though Cure Kids' portfolio spans many conditions rather than focusing solely on cancer.
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF): Global charity funding Type 1 diabetes research with chapter-based fundraising and corporate partnerships. Comparable grantmaking and donor-driven research funding model, though Cure Kids' portfolio is broader and its geographic footprint smaller.

Direct peers

• Starship Foundation: NZ-based charitable foundation supporting children's health at Starship Children's Hospital (Cure Kids' major clinical partner). Direct peer as both are NZ child-health-focused fundraising charities relying on donations and corporate partnerships, often co-funding the same research and clinical priorities.
• Child Cancer Foundation: NZ charity supporting children with cancer and their families. Co-funder with Cure Kids of The Precision Paediatric Cancer Project (PPCP), making it both partner and direct peer in NZ child-health fundraising.
• IHC New Zealand (IHC Foundation): NZ's largest disability support organization with associated charitable funding arm. Comparable as a large, NZ-wide child- and family-focused charity reliant on donations, bequests, and corporate partnerships for service and research delivery.

Regional players

• Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI): Australian pediatric medical research institute funded via charitable donations and grants. Operates a near-identical model of donation-funded child health research across multiple disease areas, primarily serving Australia rather than competing with Cure Kids in NZ.
• Telethon Kids Institute: Australian pediatric research institute funded via community telethon fundraising and donations. Comparable charitable model focused on child health research across broad condition areas, but operating primarily in Western Australia rather than NZ.

Broad incumbents

• SickKids Foundation: Canadian foundation funding pediatric research at The Hospital for Sick Children, with a much larger scale ($200M+ annual fundraising). Comparable model of donation-funded pediatric research grants, donor stewardship programs, and corporate partnerships, but at a materially larger scale and broader portfolio.
• UNICEF New Zealand: NZ fundraising arm of UNICEF focused on child welfare globally. Comparable donation-driven charity supporting child wellbeing via grants and programs, but operating at much larger scale with broader international mandate rather than research-specific focus.
• Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity: UK charitable foundation funding child health research and hospital priorities at GOSH. Directly comparable operating model of charitable fundraising supporting pediatric medical research, though with significantly larger scale and global brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/curekidsnz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CureKidsNZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/curekidscharity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cure-kids
• Instagraminstagram.com/curekidsnz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Cure Kids