Anni's Army Foundation

What Anni's Army Foundation does

Anni's Army Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2021 and headquartered in Rockford, Michigan. The foundation was established by Mark and Lynn Meier following their daughter Annika's June 2021 diagnosis with medulloblastoma, and operates three core programs: direct financial assistance to families of pediatric brain cancer patients (Anni's Gift), research grants for medulloblastoma and pediatric cancer (notably $85,000 cumulative funding to Dr. Michael Taylor's Preventative Pathway for Medulloblastoma team since 2023), and the Annika Meier Memorial Scholarship for Rockford High School seniors. Since inception, the foundation reports $187,737 in total programmatic impact, including 35 Anni's Gift recipient families and 2 scholarships awarded.

The foundation generates no commercial revenue; all operating funds come from tax-deductible donations collected via the website, mail, Venmo, and PayPal, plus event-based fundraising through the annual Ram Out Pediatric Cancer football game with Rockford Rams Football, Project Night Lights hospital visits, golf outings, and brand collaborations (e.g., a May 2026 Chaco x Rockford Footwear Depot limited-edition sandal with 100% of net proceeds benefiting the foundation). Distribution of impact occurs through four partnered Michigan children's hospitals: Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Corewell Health East/Beaumont Children's, Children's Hospital of Michigan, and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Governance rests with a seven-member Board of Directors led by founders Mark Meier (President) and Lynn Meier (Vice President/Treasurer), supported by a small operational team. The foundation operates entirely on community-driven go-to-market motion with no proprietary technology, software products, or AI capabilities. Annika Meier passed away on May 5, 2026, after a nearly five-year battle with the disease; the foundation continues to operate in her memory.

Name

Anni's Army Foundation

Legal name

Anni's Army Foundation

Website

https://annisarmy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Anni's Army Foundation is a Rockford, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 that funds medulloblastoma research, provides direct financial assistance to families of pediatric brain cancer patients through four Michigan hospital partners, and awards memorial scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Nonprofit Foundation

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research funding
• Medulloblastoma research support
• Financial assistance programs
• Community fundraising events
• Nonprofit charitable foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and community members. Accepts cash, check, Venmo, and credit card/PayPal. Organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Anni's Army Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that raises charitable donations to fund medulloblastoma and pediatric cancer research and to provide direct financial assistance to families of pediatric brain cancer patients. Its core programs include Anni's Gift (rent, utilities, auto payments, gift cards at partnered Michigan hospitals), annual research grants to Dr. Michael Taylor's medulloblastoma prevention team, the Annika Meier Memorial Scholarship, and community fundraising events such as the Ram Out Pediatric Cancer football game.

Product overview

Anni's Army Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs supporting pediatric cancer patients and families. The core offerings include: Research Funding (supporting medulloblastoma and pediatric cancer research), Anni's Gift (direct financial assistance to families at partner hospitals), and the Annika Meier Memorial Scholarship (education awards for Rockford High School seniors). Additional community engagement programs include the annual Ram Out Pediatric Cancer football game and Project Night Lights hospital visits. These programs work together to raise funds for research, provide direct family support, and build community awareness around pediatric brain cancer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Anni's Gift: Financial assistance program for pediatric brain cancer patients and their families at partnered Michigan hospitals. Provides rent assistance, utility bill payments, auto loans, car insurance, gift cards for gas and groceries, and other financial support.
• Anni's Army Foundation Research Program
• Annika Meier Memorial Scholarship

Products and services

• Anni's Gift Direct financial assistance program for pediatric brain cancer patients and their families at partnered Michigan children's hospitals. Anni's Gift covers rent, utilities, auto payments, car insurance, gift cards for gas and groceries, and funeral costs. To date, 35 families have been assisted through the program.
• Medulloblastoma Research Funding Program Restricted research grant program funding medulloblastoma and pediatric cancer research, with multi-year support directed to Dr. Michael Taylor's Preventative Pathway for Medulloblastoma team at Texas Children's Hospital (channeled through The Carson Leslie Foundation). The program funds early detection protocols and non-invasive treatment research.
• Annika Meier Memorial Scholarship Scholarship program awarding two non-renewable $1,500 scholarships annually to Rockford High School seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrate diligence, kindness, perseverance, and empathy. Operated in partnership with the Rockford Education Foundation.
• Ram Out Pediatric Cancer Event Annual community fundraising football game hosted with Rockford Rams Football to raise funds for medulloblastoma research and pediatric cancer family support. Features corporate sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and proceeds directed to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital's AYA Cancer Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35 families helped through Anni's Gift program with financial support totaling over $25,519 in PORT/AYA support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rockford Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025Partnership to create the Anni's Army Foundation Annika Meier Honorary Scholarship for Rockford High School seniors. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate resilience, compassion, and commitment to caring for others.
• Helen DeVos Children's Hospital - AYA Cancer ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2024Ongoing partnership providing donations to the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer program. Proceeds from Ram Out Pediatric Cancer games are donated to this program which supports patients ages 15-39.
• C.S. Mott Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2024Fourth hospital to join the Anni's Gift program, providing financial assistance to pediatric brain cancer patients and their families in the Ann Arbor area.
• Children's Hospital of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2024Third hospital to join Anni's Gift program, expanding financial assistance services to pediatric brain cancer families in the Detroit area.
• Corewell Health East/Beaumont Children'scoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2024Partnership to expand Anni's Gift program to Royal Oak, Michigan. Second hospital in the program after Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
• Rockford Rams FootballcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Ram Out Pediatric Cancer football games raising funds for medulloblastoma research and pediatric cancer patients. Partnership includes the 3rd annual game scheduled for October 2026.
• Dr. Michael Taylor / Texas Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding Dr. Michael Taylor's Preventative Pathway for Medulloblastoma research team. Total commitment of $85,000 as of 2025 for early detection and prevention research.
• The Carson Leslie FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarger donation partnership through which Anni's Army Foundation's research funding is channeled to Dr. Michael Taylor's medulloblastoma research.
• Chaco / Rockford Footwear DepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMay 2026 collaboration to launch Chaco sandal with 100% of net proceeds supporting Anni's Army Foundation. Limited-run product collaboration honoring Annika.
• WinAlpineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWinAlpine racing bibs include Anni's Army Foundation branding. Anni raced with WinAlpine JDT before her diagnosis.
• Van Andel ArenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer concessions partnership where a portion of food/beverage sales and tips are donated to the Foundation.
• A-Ga-Ming Golf ResortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted golf outing raising over $15,000 for Anni's Army Foundation.
• Hackers Charity Golf ClassicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSelected as 2022 beneficiary for the Hackers Charity Golf Classic.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Largest nonprofit dedicated to pediatric brain tumor research and family support in the U.S.; comparable to Anni's Army in disease focus (brain tumors) and dual research-plus-family-support model, though at much larger national scale.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research and supporting families through treatment — directly overlapping with Anni's Army's research funding and Anni's Gift family financial assistance programs.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National pediatric cancer nonprofit that funds research and provides family support through direct financial assistance — directly comparable to Anni's Army's combination of research grants (e.g., Dr. Taylor) and family aid (Anni's Gift).
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Pediatric cancer research grantmaker and family-advocacy nonprofit; comparable to Anni's Army in funding early-stage research and engaging community supporters through events.
• ChadTough Foundation: Michigan-based nonprofit founded in honor of Chad Carr that funds pediatric brain tumor (DIPG) research and supports affected families — nearly identical mission, geography, and program structure to Anni's Army Foundation.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National pediatric cancer research and family support nonprofit; comparable to Anni's Army in mission scope and grantmaking approach, with broader national reach.
• The Carson Leslie Foundation: Pediatric brain cancer nonprofit that channels research funding into medulloblastoma and DIPG studies; Anni's Army already partners with this organization to route Dr. Taylor's research funding, making them a direct operational peer.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National advocacy and support organization for children with cancer and their families; comparable to Anni's Army in family-support mission, though heavier on advocacy and information resources.

Others

• Will2Walk Foundation: Nonprofit focused on paralysis and mobility; Anni's Army board member Dawn MacLean has served 13 years on its board. Included as an ecosystem / governance peer rather than a direct mission peer.

Broad incumbents

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Largest pediatric cancer research and treatment institution in the U.S., operating both a research hospital and a global fundraising apparatus; a broad incumbent that sets the benchmark for what large-scale pediatric cancer nonprofits can achieve.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/4096400490445820
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/anni-s-army-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Anni's Army Foundation