Children's Brain Tumor Foundation

What Children's Brain Tumor Foundation does

The Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF), founded in 1988 in New York City by parents and oncologists, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID #13-3512123) and the self-described nation's leader in family programs for those impacted by pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors. It serves four primary beneficiary segments: families of children diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors, brain tumor survivors (children through adults), siblings of survivors, and bereaved families. Its portfolio comprises direct service programs (retreats such as the Just Us Father & Survivor Retreat and Regional Heads Up Conference; monthly support groups and bereavement services; creative programming including CBTF Cooks, Creative Matters Art Workshop, and Read to Dogs); resource and education offerings (Family Referral, Educational Advocacy, Scholarships and Grants, Resource Guide and Parker's Series, care kits, the Wynter Diva Complementary Therapy Fund); and a set of fundraising events (Dream Makers Gala, Family Walk for the Cure, Team CBTF endurance marathons at Chicago and NYC). The organization also distributes branded merchandise via Bonfire and Cloztalk, and provides planned giving tools in partnership with FreeWill.

Program delivery is executed by a 29-person staff organized around a regional coordinator model (East Coast/Southern States, West Coast/Midwestern States, Spanish-speaking families, bereavement) backed by licensed clinical social workers (LICSW, LCSW), with 20+ online programs per month and 100+ online family groups and programs held in 2025. CBTF is a founding member of the Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN), and co-runs specialized supports such as the DIPG/DMG Parent Group with the Marc Jr. Foundation and bereaved sibling groups with Jenna's Rainbow Foundation. Underlying technology is conventional nonprofit infrastructure: a WordPress-based website (cbtf.org), NeonCRM for donation processing, and standard social channels (Facebook, X, Instagram) — there is no proprietary platform, no AI/ML capability, and no public API.

The revenue model is diversified and entirely donation-based with no paid services, membership fees, or recurring SaaS revenue. Streams include individual donations (Annual Fund campaign), major-gift events (Dream Makers Gala), peer-to-peer endurance fundraising (Team CBTF), community walks (Long Island, Dayton OH, New Jersey), corporate grants (e.g., $10,000 from Rite Aid Healthy Futures in 2022), planned giving (FreeWill), cause-marketing round-ups (Amazon Smile, ShopRaise), employer matching gifts, DIY family fundraising, and merchandise sales ($25 donation for a pack of 15 greeting cards, plus apparel). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; the homepage shows the Annual Fund at 28% of its goal as an in-year pacing indicator.

Name

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation

Legal name

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation

Website

https://cbtf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Children's Brain Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 that delivers direct support programs — retreats, support groups, bereavement services, creative programming, educational advocacy, and care kits — to families of children with brain or spinal cord tumors, survivors, siblings, and bereaved families across the United States, funded through diversified donations, galas, walks, and marathons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Family Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Pediatric brain tumor support
• Family support programs
• Cancer nonprofit services
• Bereavement support groups
• Research funding advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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. Individual Donations: CBTF relies heavily on individual donations to fund its family support programs, research grants, and operational costs. The organization runs an Annual Fund campaign and accepts donations through its website platform.
2. Dream Makers Gala: CBTF hosts annual Dream Makers Gala events in 2025 and 2026 as major fundraising initiatives, bringing together supporters, sponsors, and community members for an evening of fundraising.
3. Endurance Team Fundraising: CBTF organizes Team CBTF endurance runners who participate in marathons (Chicago Marathon, NYC Marathon) to raise funds. Runners create personal fundraising pages and collect donations from supporters.
4. Family Walk Events: CBTF organizes Family Walk for the Cure events in various locations (Long Island, NY; Dayton, OH) where participants raise funds through walking events.
5. Merchandise Sales: CBTF sells merchandise including crewneck sweaters, hoodies, greeting cards ($25 for pack of 15), mugs, totes, and other branded items through Bonfire and Cloztalk platforms.
6. Planned Giving: CBTF offers planned giving options through a partnership with FreeWill, allowing donors to include CBTF in their estate plans.
7. Corporate Grants: CBTF receives grants from corporate partners such as Rite Aid Healthy Futures ($10,000 neighborhood grant) and The Hubbard Family Trust (AYA party sponsorship).
8. DIY Family Fundraising: CBTF supports families in creating their own fundraising campaigns, Facebook fundraisers, garage sales, car washes, and other DIY fundraising events.
9. Volunteer Incentives Program: Volunteers can earn incentives and merchandise for their service to the organization.
10. Employer Matching Gifts: CBTF participates in employer matching gift programs where companies match employee donations to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers direct family support programs, community connection services, and research funding for families affected by pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors. Its offerings include retreats, monthly online and in-person support groups, bereavement services, creative arts programming, educational advocacy, scholarships, care kits, and fundraising events such as the Dream Makers Gala and Family Walks.

Product overview

The Children's Brain Tumor Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization offering a unified portfolio of family support programs and community services for individuals and families affected by pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors. Rather than a software product, CBTF's offerings consist of direct support programs including retreats (Just Us Father & Survivor Retreat, Regional Heads Up Conference), support groups and bereavement services, creative programming (CBTF Cooks, Creative Matters Art Workshop, Read to Dogs), educational advocacy and scholarships, care kits and complementary therapy funding, and fundraising events (Endurance Team marathons, Family Walks, Dream Makers Gala). CBTF also sells branded merchandise and provides planned giving tools in partnership with FreeWill. The organization operates as a single unified charitable mission rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retreats (Just Us Father & Survivor Retreat and Regional Heads Up Conference)
• Support Groups and Bereavement Services
• Creative Programming (CBTF Cooks, Creative Matters Art Workshop, Read to Dogs)
• Family Referral and Support Services
• Educational Advocacy and Scholarships
• Care Kits and Complementary Therapy Fund
• Endurance Team (Marathon and Running Events)
• Family Walk for the Cure
• Dream Makers Gala
• CBTF Branded Merchandise (Greeting Cards, Apparel)
• Resource Guide and Publications (Parker's Series)
• Planned Giving and Estate Planning

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 600 families supported through bereavement program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marc Jr. FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTF collaborates with the Marc Jr. Foundation to co-host the DIPG/DMG Parent Group and monthly bereavement support groups. This partnership provides specialized support for families of children with DIPG/DMG diagnoses and bereaved families, combining CBTF's clinical social work expertise with Marc Jr. Foundation's mission.
• Jenna's Rainbow FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTF works closely with Jenna's Rainbow Foundation, with Linda Wachtel serving on both boards. The foundations collaborate on grants and family support, with Jenna's Rainbow focused on improving quality of life and alleviating emotional, physical, and financial burdens for families.
• Cristian Rivera FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCristian Rivera Foundation, founded after founder John 'Gungie' Rivera lost his son to DIPG, partners with CBTF to support families in their communities. The foundations collaborate on grants and have awarded the Vision of Hope Award to CBTF board members.
• Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTF is a founding member of the Children's Brain Tumor Network, working to advance research and discoveries for pediatric brain tumor treatment. CBTF's role includes supporting access to CBTN resources and clinical trials for families.
• Make-A-Wish Mid-AtlanticminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMake-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnered with CBTF to grant wishes for children with brain tumors, such as facilitating Liam Reigel's wish to meet Washington Capitals player Lars Eller.
• BonfireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBTF sells branded merchandise (hoodies, crewnecks, mugs, totes) through Bonfire's on-demand printing and fulfillment platform, reaching supporters who want to purchase CBTF pride items.
• CloztalkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBTF merchandise is featured on Cloztalk, founded by cancer survivor Johnny Immerman, which supports nonprofits while allowing them to showcase their message. Products include track jackets, shirts, hats, and hoodies.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCBTF participates in Amazon Smile program where a percentage of eligible purchases are donated to CBTF when customers select the organization as their charity.
• ShopRaiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCBTF receives donations through ShopRaise when supporters shop at participating stores and select CBTF as their charity of choice.
• First DescentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Descents provides outdoor adventure opportunities (kayaking, rock climbing, surfing) for young adults impacted by cancer and other health conditions. Featured in the story of brain tumor survivor Scott Lindgren.
• Northwell Health and Feinstein InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTF shares research updates about Northwell Health and Feinstein Institute's focused ultrasound trial for brain tumor treatment, demonstrating commitment to advancing treatment options for patients.
• Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital - Children's Brain and Spinal Tumor CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTF features research from Mount Sinai's Children's Brain and Spinal Tumor Center on nanoparticle drug delivery for pediatric brain tumors, highlighting advances in targeted treatment approaches.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CBTF_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/cbtf.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbtf_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbtf

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 Children's Brain Tumor Foundation