The Rainbow Connection
The Rainbow Connection is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that grants wishes and provides ongoing family support to Michigan children age 18 and under with physician-verified life-threatening illnesses, having fulfilled more than 4,500 wishes and serving over 200 families at a time.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersRochester, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- Offering—
What The Rainbow Connection does
The Rainbow Connection is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 by L. Brooks Patterson (Oakland County Executive) in tribute to the Dobson family. Headquartered in Rochester with a satellite office in Detroit, the organization grants wishes for Michigan children age 18 and under who have been physician-verified with a life-threatening medical condition. Since incorporation it has granted over 4,500 wishes and currently serves more than 200 families at any given time.
The core service portfolio is anchored by the Wish Program — destination vacations, celebrity or athlete meetings, and themed experiences, executed with partners such as Give Kids the World Village in Florida — and is surrounded by four complementary programs: the Enhancement Program (ongoing outings, tickets, holiday parties), the Special Response Program (emergency financial assistance for utilities, housing, transport, food), the Scholarship Program (up to four $1,000 awards per recipient for higher education), and the Adopt a Family holiday support program (served 165+ families in the most recent reported season).
Revenue is sourced entirely from donations: individual one-time gifts, the Hope Heroes monthly subscription program (tiers $10-$250), full wish sponsorships at $5,000 each, Kroger Community Rewards, vehicle donations, planned giving/bequests, and corporate workplace giving (matching gifts, payroll deductions, casual days). The organization states that over 86% of donations go directly to programs and has held Charity Navigator's 4-star rating for 12 consecutive years. It is governed by a board representing Michigan enterprises (Grant Thornton, Community Choice Credit Union, Plastipak, City Wide, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Plante Moran, Pepsi Bottling Group).
The Rainbow Connection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Rainbow Connection
- Legal name
- The Rainbow Connection
- Website
- https://rainbowconnection.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Rainbow Connection is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that grants wishes and provides ongoing family support to Michigan children age 18 and under with physician-verified life-threatening illnesses, having fulfilled more than 4,500 wishes and serving over 200 families at a time.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The Rainbow Connection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Rainbow Connection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time and monthly recurring donations, with various giving programs including the League of Hope Heroes monthly giving program and one-time donation options ranging from $25 to $5,000.
- Wish Sponsorship: Corporate and individual sponsors can sponsor a complete wish for $5,000, which covers everything needed to make a child's dream come true.
- Corporate Partnership Programs: Partnerships with corporations like Kroger for Community Rewards, workplace giving programs, matching gifts, and payroll deductions provide ongoing donation streams.
- Vehicle Donation Program: The organization accepts car donations, providing donors with tax deductions based on Kelly Blue Book values while generating revenue for wish granting.
- Planned Giving and Bequests: Donors can include The Rainbow Connection in their wills or estate plans, ensuring long-term financial support through bequests and trust designations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Wish Sponsorship - Full wish cost coverage |
| Subscription | Monthly | League of Hope Heroes Monthly Giving - Recurring donation program |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | One-time Donation Options |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Scholarship Program - Educational support for wish recipients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Rainbow Connection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Rainbow Connection grants wishes for Michigan children aged 18 and under diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, including destination vacations (frequently Disney World via Give Kids the World Village), celebrity and athlete meetings, and other personalized experiences. Beyond wish fulfillment, the organization delivers ongoing family support through the Enhancement Program (special outings, event tickets, seasonal gifts), the Special Response Program (emergency financial assistance for utilities, housing, transportation, food, clothing), the Scholarship Program ($1,000 college scholarships for wish alumni), and the Adopt a Family Program (holiday support for wish families).
Product overview
The Rainbow Connection is a Michigan nonprofit organization offering a unified portfolio of wish-granting and family support programs for children with life-threatening illnesses. The core Wish Program grants magical experiences (destination vacations, hero meetings, special adventures), while the Enhancement Program, Special Response Program, Scholarship Program, and Adopt a Family Program provide ongoing support before, during, and after wishes. The organization also operates fundraising vehicles including monthly giving (Hope Heroes), wish sponsorship, vehicle donation, and Kroger Rewards. Over 4,500 wishes have been granted since 1985, with over 86% of donations going directly to programs and services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 4,500 wishes granted since 1985
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Rainbow Connection
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Rainbow Connection technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Rainbow Connection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- El Car WashcoreEl Car Wash is proposing to donate 2,120 square feet of rent-free office space to The Rainbow Connection at their proposed Troy, Michigan location. This would provide the organization with expanded operational capacity and flexibility to direct more resources toward its mission of granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
- Give Kids the World VillagecoreGive Kids the World Village is a resort village in Florida that provides accommodations for wish children and their families during Disney World trips. The organization offers amenities including ice cream, activities, and a magical environment for wish families.
- SoccerWorldminorSoccerWorld assisted in making Allie's wish to meet Manchester City FC come true by helping coordinate the experience.
- Manchester City FCminorManchester City soccer team hosted wish child Allie at team training and the Man City vs. Chelsea game at Ohio Stadium, providing autographs, pictures with players, and a meeting with coach Pep Guardiola.
- Columbus CrewminorColumbus Crew soccer team assisted in making wish child Allie's experience possible at the Man City vs. Chelsea game at Ohio Stadium.
- PUMAminorPUMA contributed to making Allie's wish to meet Manchester City FC come true.
- KrogercoreKroger Community Rewards program allows shoppers to designate The Rainbow Connection as their preferred charitable organization. Every time shoppers use their Kroger Rewards card, Kroger makes a donation to The Rainbow Connection.
- Children's Hospital of MichigancoreChildren's Hospital of Michigan is mentioned as part of the board representation and serves as a healthcare provider where wish children receive treatment and from which referrals originate.
- Corewell Health ChildrencoreCorewell Health Children's Hospital in Southeast Michigan provides treatment for wish children and serves as a referral source for the wish program.
- Basso Marketing AgencyminorWebsite design partner responsible for The Rainbow Connection's website design.
- L. Brooks PattersoncoreFounder of The Rainbow Connection who passed away in 2019. His vision and dedication established the organization in tribute to his friend Ron Dobson's children who lost their lives in a plane crash.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Rainbow Connection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kids Wish Network: Wish-granting charity serving children with life-threatening illnesses across multiple U.S. regions. Direct peer in mission and service delivery, including wish experiences, family support, and hospital referrals.
- Make-A-Wish Foundation: The largest U.S. wish-granting charity for children with critical illnesses, operating nationwide with substantially greater donor reach and brand recognition than The Rainbow Connection. Direct overlap in mission, beneficiary definition, and service model.
- Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit delivering programs, wish-like experiences, and hospital-based support to seriously ill children and their families. Overlaps with The Rainbow Connection on pediatric illness support and family-centered services.
- Children's Wish Foundation International: International wish-granting organization for children with life-threatening conditions, providing wish experiences and family support. Direct mission overlap with The Rainbow Connection's core Wish Program.
Broad incumbents
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National childhood cancer charity funding research and family support programs. Overlaps with The Rainbow Connection in serving children affected by pediatric cancer (a large share of wish referrals), though its primary model is research funding rather than wish delivery.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities: Large, established nonprofit providing housing and family-centered support to families of sick children receiving medical care. Comparable in supporting families of critically ill children, though its core service (lodging) differs from The Rainbow Connection's wish experience model.
Others
- Give Kids The World Village: Florida-based nonprofit resort village that provides free weeklong wish experiences to children with critical illnesses and their families. A key operational partner of The Rainbow Connection (and other wish-granters) rather than a direct competitor, but materially related in serving the same beneficiary population.
Regional players
- A Special Wish Foundation: Ohio-based wish-granting charity for children with life-threatening illnesses, founded in 1982. Highly comparable mission and grassroots nonprofit model, though serving an adjacent (non-Michigan) geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Rainbow Connection social profiles
Digital presenceThe Rainbow Connection compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The Rainbow Connection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Rainbow Connection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
The Rainbow Connection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Rainbow Connection 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 The Rainbow Connection
What does The Rainbow Connection do?
The Rainbow Connection grants wishes for Michigan children aged 18 and under diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, including destination vacations (frequently Disney World via Give Kids the World Village), celebrity and athlete meetings, and other personalized experiences. Beyond wish fulfillment, the organization delivers ongoing family support through the Enhancement Program (special outings, event tickets, seasonal gifts), the Special Response Program (emergency financial assistance for utilities, housing, transportation, food, clothing), the Scholarship Program ($1,000 college scholarships for wish alumni), and the Adopt a Family Program (holiday support for wish families).
Is The Rainbow Connection a public or private company?
The Rainbow Connection is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Rainbow Connection founded?
The Rainbow Connection was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Rainbow Connection based?
The Rainbow Connection is headquartered in Rochester, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Rainbow Connection make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are wish Sponsorship, corporate Partnership Programs, vehicle Donation Program and planned Giving and Bequests.
Who are The Rainbow Connection's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kids Wish Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Starlight Children's Foundation and Children's Wish Foundation International. Broad incumbents are Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Give Kids The World Village is listed as an others. A Special Wish Foundation is listed as a regional player.
Does The Rainbow Connection have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Rainbow Connection.