Glimmer of Hope Foundation

What Glimmer of Hope Foundation does

Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 85-1607457) founded in 2019 and headquartered in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, that supports children with cancer through three core programs: a Bald Doll Donation Program that distributes bald American Girl dolls to pediatric oncology patients; 'Best Day Ever' photo shoots providing full-day magical experiences including hair/makeup, princess dresses, and professional photography; and Bereavement Boxes containing watercolor portraits from Spencer Welch Studios for grieving families. The organization was established to carry on the legacy of Ella Catherine Integlia, who passed from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2019 after petitioning American Girl to create a bald doll for girls experiencing treatment-related hair loss.

The foundation is founder-led by Alison Hornung (former Miss Rhode Island 2024) with a small 1-10 person staff and an active board including Lisa Egan (President), Reilly Cardella (Vice President), Debbie Hornung (Treasurer), Katy Gamba (Secretary), and additional members including Miss Florida 2023 Juliette Valle. Programs are delivered through direct family applications (Google Forms), hospital partnerships via a 'Bring Hope to your hospital' intake, and volunteer networks.

Revenue is generated through three streams: tax-deductible charitable donations solicited via website popups and an Amazon Wishlist registry; the annual Glimmer Gala signature fundraising event featuring a runway show with 50+ childhood cancer survivors, corporate sponsorships (Boscov's, Toyota), and VIP packages held at the Rhode Island Convention Center; and merchandise sales including the 'Hope Has No Hair' book on Amazon and 'In My Era' branded t-shirts via Bonfire. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, and the organization has cumulatively raised nearly $1 million since inception. Geographic focus is the New England region, with no disclosed international operations.

Name

Glimmer of Hope Foundation

Legal name

Glimmer of Hope Foundation

Website

https://glimmerofhopefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that donates bald American Girl dolls to children with cancer and provides 'Best Day Ever' photo shoots and bereavement support boxes to affected families, funded through donations, its annual Glimmer Gala, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Pediatric Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Childhood cancer support
• Bald doll donations
• Pediatric bereavement care
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Family cancer advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

North Kingstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting childhood cancer programs. 501(c)(3) nonprofit status allows donors to claim charitable deductions.
2. Glimmer Gala Fundraising Event: Annual signature event featuring runway show, sponsorships, VIP packages, and ticket sales. Revenue from corporate sponsorships and individual attendance.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including 'In my Era' t-shirts via Bonfire, and 'Hope Has No Hair' book via Amazon. Proceeds support operational programs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that sponsors and donates bald American Girl dolls to children battling cancer, helping them feel represented and confident during treatment. The foundation also delivers 'Best Day Ever' photo shoot experiences with professional styling and princess dresses, and provides bereavement boxes with watercolor portraits to families whose children have passed away. All programs are offered free of charge to beneficiaries, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and an annual Glimmer Gala fundraising event.

Product overview

Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of cancer support programs centered around its signature bald doll donation initiative. The core offerings include the Bald Doll Donation Program (which provides bald American Girl dolls to children undergoing cancer treatment), the Best Day Ever Photo Shoots (a magical full-day experience with professional photography, princess dresses, and dolls), and Bereavement Boxes (watercolor portrait-filled boxes for grieving families). The foundation also hosts the annual Glimmer Gala fundraising event featuring survivor runway shows, and sells merchandise including the Hope Has No Hair book and In My Era advocacy shirts through external platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bald Doll Donation Program The foundation's signature program that donates bald American Girl dolls to children battling cancer, helping them feel represented, confident, and strong during their treatment journey. Free to eligible families.
• Best Day Ever Photo Shoots A magical day-long experience for girls battling cancer featuring hair and makeup services, gift baskets, catered lunch, crafts, princess dresses, a doll in a matching dress, and a professional photoshoot at a magical location.
• Bereavement Boxes Support boxes provided to families after a child has passed away, including watercolor portraits of each child created in partnership with Spencer Welch Studios.
• Glimmer Gala Annual fundraising event featuring a runway show with childhood cancer survivors, celebrity guests, live entertainment, VIP packages, and celebration of fighters and survivors.
• Hope Has No Hair Book A book merchandise item available for purchase through Amazon, supporting the foundation's mission.
• In My Era Advocacy Shirt Childhood cancer advocate merchandise shirt available through Bonfire; proceeds support the foundation's programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $1 million raised for childhood cancer awareness and holistic health initiatives
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• American GirlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Girl is the manufacturer of the bald dolls donated by Glimmer of Hope to children with cancer. The partnership began when Ella Integlia wrote to American Girl asking them to create a bald doll so girls like her could feel confident during treatment.
• Spencer Welch StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Spencer Welch Studios to provide watercolor portraits of children as part of bereavement boxes sent to families after a child's passing.
• Rhode Island Convention CenterflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor for the Glimmer Gala 2026 event on June 13th, 2026. Hosts the annual signature fundraising event featuring runway shows and celebrity guests.
• Boscov'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Glimmer Gala 2026.
• ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Glimmer Gala 2026.
• University of Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner supporting the foundation; founder Alison Hornung is a URI graduate with degrees in Global Business Management, German, and Human Development & Family Sciences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National nonprofit driving pediatric cancer research and supporting affected families. Overlapping donor base and similar mission, with broader research-funding emphasis.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Childhood cancer research and family support nonprofit using event-driven fundraising (head-shaving events). Directly comparable disease focus and event-led revenue model.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer nonprofit combining research funding with awareness and family support. Comparable event-driven fundraising model and childhood cancer focus.
• Sebastian Strong Foundation: Smaller pediatric cancer nonprofit funding research and family programs. Similar scale tier and grassroots family-of-origin origin story comparable to Glimmer of Hope's Ella Integlia narrative.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Focused exclusively on pediatric cancer research funding and family support. Comparable mission, donor base, and revenue model (events, donations, corporate sponsorships) to Glimmer of Hope.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Pediatric cancer nonprofit funding research and family support programs. Directly comparable mission around childhood cancer, similar grassroots 501(c)(3) origins, and overlapping donor pool of families affected by pediatric oncology.

Others

• Gold Together for Childhood Cancer: American Childhood Cancer Organization program focused on childhood cancer awareness and family support. Adjacent advocacy and support mission with overlapping beneficiary families.
• Mattel Children's Foundation: Corporate foundation of American Girl's parent Mattel. Strategic adjacency via American Girl partnership; relevant for understanding doll supply dynamics and potential expanded partnership.

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Largest US wish-granting nonprofit serving children with critical illnesses including cancer. Overlapping beneficiary population but operates at vastly larger scale and broader disease mandate.

Emerging players

• Love for Ladybug: Founded by Glimmer of Hope board VP Reilly Cardella, this small 501(c)(3) donates toys to pediatric oncology units. Directly adjacent mission, very small scale, and direct personnel overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Glimmerofhopefdn
• Instagraminstagram.com/glimmerofhopefdn
• TikToktiktok.com/@glimmerofhopefoundation
• Xx.com/Glimmerofhopefd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 Glimmer of Hope Foundation