Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc.

What Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc. does

Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 in Louisville, Kentucky, that provides free recreational and support programs to children with cancer (patients through age 25), survivors, and their families across Kentucky and the broader Southeastern United States. Core offerings include Camp KCA (a week-long residential summer camp for ages 6-11 at Camp Horsin' Around in Perryville, KY), Teen Weekender Camp, Family Retreats, In-Hospital Programs (including meal delivery at Kentucky Children's Hospital), and Financial Assistance Programs covering bereavement support, scholarships, and emergency aid. The organization has grown from one weeklong camp in 1981 to over 120 touch points annually and served 428 families in 2025, up from 326 in 2024.

The organization is 100% donation-funded with no pricing on its services, relying on individual donations, recurring monthly donors, corporate sponsorships (Big O Tires, Churchill Downs, Kosair for Kids), planned giving (bequests, stock, crypto, vehicles), and dedicated fundraising events. The Concert for the Cause annual gala is the largest single revenue driver, having raised over $8.1 million cumulatively over 16 years and exceeding $1.2 million in the most recent year. The 12-person staff is led by Executive Director Shelby Russell (a former Pediatric Oncology Social Worker hired as the organization's first full-time executive in 2010), with additional functions in operations, programs, communications, community relations, and financial assistance. The organization has been endorsed by Children's Oncology Camp Association-International, Kentucky Cancer Program, Better Business Bureau, and Kentucky Non-profit Network, and secured a $160,000 grant from the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund in 2026. Strategic partners include Kosair for Kids/Shriners, Big O Tires, Churchill Downs, Lexington Tennis Club, Louisville Marriott Downtown, and the Kentucky Science Center.

Name

Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc.

Legal name

Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc.

Website

https://kidscanceralliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kids Cancer Alliance is a Louisville, Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that provides free summer camps, retreats, in-hospital programs, and financial assistance to children with cancer (through age 25) and their families across Kentucky and the Southeastern United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer support
• Oncology camping programs
• Family retreat services
• Childhood cancer assistance
• Nonprofit fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: All programs are provided free of charge, funded entirely through donations from individuals. The organization accepts one-time and monthly recurring donations through its website.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual Concert for the Cause generates significant revenue (over $1.2M net in recent years, $8.1M total over 16 years). Other events include Kosair Live and Pavo Loco tennis tournament.
3. Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events and programs through sponsorships, matching gift programs, and designated giving. Examples include Big O Tires donation matches and Churchill Downs partnerships.
4. Planned Giving and Endowments: The organization accepts planned gifts including bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, retirement account designations, endowment funds, and Charitable Remainder Trusts. The Collin Cancer Fund for Children is a designated endowment at Community Foundation of Louisville.
5. Stock and Cryptocurrency Donations: Donors can contribute appreciated stock directly and cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency donations are described as non-taxable events.
6. Vehicle Donations: Accepts vehicle donations including cars, trucks, vans, RVs, motorcycles, boats, and ATVs through partner organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kids Cancer Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free residential summer camps (Camp KCA for ages 6-11 and Teen Weekender), weekend family retreats, in-hospital meal and support programs delivered at treatment centers, and financial assistance including bereavement, scholarships, and emergency aid to children with cancer (through age 25) and their families in Kentucky and the Southeastern United States.

Product overview

Kids Cancer Alliance is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of recreational and support programs for children with cancer and their families. The core offerings center on residential camps (Camp KCA for ages 6-11, Teen Weekender for adolescents) and Family Retreats, all provided free of charge. These camp programs offer activities including arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, fishing, and themed events. The organization also delivers In-Hospital Programs that provide meals and support to families during treatment. Complementing direct programs, Financial Assistance Programs offer Bereavement Assistance, Scholarships, and emergency/basic needs support to families, serving patients through age 25. Fundraising events including the annual Concert for the Cause gala, Kosair Live concert, and Pavo Loco Tennis Tournament support the organization's mission to enhance quality of life for children with cancer and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 428 families served in 2025, up from 326 in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

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 and minor.

• Kosair for Kids and Kosair ShrinerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 July 2026Kosair for Kids and Kosair Shriners are hosting Kosair Live concert on July 18, 2026 at Kentucky YUM! Center featuring seven country music artists. A portion of ticket sales using code KCAKIDS benefits Kids Cancer Alliance.
• Lexington Tennis ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 March 2026Lexington Tennis Club's annual Pavo Loco charity tennis tournament raises money for Kids Cancer Alliance. The tournament celebrated its 13th year and features a unique theme each year.
• Big O Tires Kentucky/Southern IndianacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 May 2025Big O Tires partnered with Kids Cancer Alliance for a $5,000 donation match campaign. The company's donation match doubles the impact of individual gifts to support children with cancer.
• Churchill DownsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 March 2025Churchill Downs 'Winsday' initiative during Kentucky Derby Week donates $5 per box seat sold to participating nonprofits including Kids Cancer Alliance. Fifty local nonprofits are participating.
• Louisville Marriott DowntownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConcert for the Cause annual fundraising event is hosted at Louisville Marriott Downtown, which provides venue support for the organization's largest annual fundraiser.
• Kentucky Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kentucky Science Center provides hands-on educational activities for campers during summer programs, enhancing the camp experience with science programming.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National pediatric cancer nonprofit funding research and family support. Comparable to KCA in mission and grassroots fundraising DNA, but operates at materially greater scale.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: National nonprofit providing housing and in-hospital family support near pediatric treatment centers. Comparable family-focused wraparound support to KCA's in-hospital and financial assistance programs.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Largest U.S. nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses including cancer. Overlaps in donor base and pediatric oncology mission, but operates a wish-granting rather than camp-based model.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit delivering programs (toys, gaming, hospital wear) to seriously ill children including those with cancer. Comparable in-hospital program delivery and pediatric oncology focus.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Large pediatric cancer research funder with an event-driven fundraising model (head-shaving events). Comparable donor and event mechanics, though the mission is research rather than direct family services.

Direct peers

• Camp Kesem: Free summer camps and year-round support for children affected by a parent's cancer, operated through university chapters. Comparable free-camp delivery and youth psychosocial support model.
• Camp Quality USA: Nationwide network of free summer camps and year-round programs for children with cancer and their families. Most direct functional peer to KCA's Camp KCA and Teen Weekender model.
• Sunshine Kids Foundation: National nonprofit providing programs, events, and group activities for children with cancer. Overlaps directly with KCA's camp, retreat, and in-hospital program offerings.
• Special Love: Operates Camp Fantastic and year-round support programs for children with cancer and their families in Virginia. Directly comparable in mission, camp-centric delivery, and family support services.

Emerging players

• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Florida-based nonprofit focused on pediatric cancer research funding and awareness. Adjacent in mission and donor pool, with lighter direct overlap in camp and family support services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kidscanceralliance

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc.