Rodman for Kids

What Rodman for Kids does

Rodman for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 by Don Rodman and headquartered in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It operates a portfolio of youth-focused programs including the Charity Partner Program (a peer-learning community serving 40+ Active and Alumni youth-focused nonprofits), Theatre for Kids (a ticket-distribution program that has enriched more than 100,000 children with performing arts experiences since 2003), the annual Ride for Kids cycling fundraiser, and the Celebration for Kids gala. The organization serves youth-focused nonprofits, schools across Massachusetts (particularly in Greater Boston and Gateway Cities), and underserved children impacted by financial, geographic, or disability-related barriers to the arts.

The business model is donation-driven and event-driven. The Don & Marilyn Rodman Foundation underwrites all event costs, allowing 100% of funds raised by riders, sponsors, and gala participants to flow directly to Charity Partners and programs. Revenue streams include individual donations, corporate sponsorships (e.g., Schneider Electric, Liberty Mutual Foundation, Yawkey Foundation), the Ride for Kids fundraising platform (which raised $3M at the 33rd annual event), and the Celebration for Kids gala featuring live and silent auctions. The organization has raised $148M+ cumulatively since 1991.

The technical core is the proprietary CUE Model (Connect, Uplift, Empower), a structured methodology applied to Theatre for Kids performances that reinforces engagement through pre-show, in-show, and post-show educational components, accessibility supports (ASL interpretation, audio description, sensory-friendly accommodations), and extension activities. Rodman for Kids distributes tickets through a network of 200+ youth-focused organizations and schools and operates distribution partnerships with premier arts providers including Broadway In Boston, Disney Theatrical Group, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Blue Man Group, and Lyric Stage Company of Boston. The operating team is 13 employees led by Executive Director Amy Rossman (20 years with the organization, ED since 2019).

Name

Rodman for Kids

Legal name

Rodman for Kids

Website

https://rodmanforkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rodman for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that empowers 40+ youth-focused nonprofits through peer-learning and fundraising support, while providing performing arts access to over 100,000 underserved children across Massachusetts via its Theatre for Kids program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Rights & Protection (BPADAGAG)

Keywords

• Youth nonprofit services
• Community fundraising events
• Performing arts access
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Charitable ride cycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Foxboro

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to support the organization's mission of empowering youth-focused nonprofits and providing performing arts access to underserved children. Donations directly fund programs and charity partner support.
2. Ride for Kids Event: Annual cycling event where riders raise funds. All event costs are underwritten by the Don & Marilyn Rodman Foundation, so 100% of funds raised go directly to charity partners. The 33rd Annual Ride raised $3 million.
3. Celebration for Kids Gala: Annual holiday party/auction event raising funds to support vital programs ensuring kids enjoy a happy holiday season and bright year ahead. Features live and silent auctions with 100% of winning bids invested in kids.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support Theatre for Kids performances and events. Sponsorship opportunities available for various programs with contact through Director of Development.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rodman for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers youth-focused nonprofits and provides performing arts access to underserved youth in Massachusetts. Its core offerings include the Charity Partner Program (capacity-building and peer-learning for 40+ nonprofits), the Theatre for Kids program (free tickets to live performances for 200+ youth organizations using the CUE Model), the annual Ride for Kids cycling fundraising event, and the Celebration for Kids annual gala.

Product overview

Rodman for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of interconnected youth-focused programs and fundraising events. Its core offerings include the Theatre for Kids program (which provides access to live performing arts via a distributed ticket network reaching 200+ youth organizations across Massachusetts, using the CUE Model to deepen engagement), the Charity Partner Program (a peer-learning support community for 40+ youth-focused nonprofits offering goal-setting, professional development, and fundraising resources), the annual Ride for Kids cycling event (a fully underwritten fundraising platform where 100% of raised funds go to partners), and the Celebration for Kids annual gala. The Brighter Futures Podcast amplifies the organization's mission through storytelling. The organization has raised funds since 1991 and reached the milestone of 100,000 kids enriched through Theatre for Kids since 2003.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Theatre for Kids: Program that breaks down barriers to make performing arts accessible for all children, introducing them to life-changing theatrical experiences. Uses the CUE Model (Connect, Uplift, Empower) to structure and reinforce experiences.
• Ride for Kids
• Celebration for Kids
• Charity Partner Program
• The Brighter Futures Podcast
• Young Professionals Board

Products and services

• Theatre for Kids A program that distributes free tickets to live professional theatre performances (including Broadway, local Boston productions, and sensory-friendly buyouts) to youth-focused nonprofits and K-12 schools across Massachusetts, making performing arts accessible to children regardless of socioeconomic background or ability. Uses the proprietary CUE (Connect, Uplift, Empower) Model to structure pre-show, during-show, and post-show educational engagement, and includes accessibility accommodations such as ASL interpretation, audio description, sensory-friendly performances with chill zones, and transportation support.
• Charity Partner Program A peer-learning environment and support community serving 40+ Active and Alumni youth-focused nonprofit Charity Partners. Provides multi-year roadmaps with goal-setting and KPIs, professional development workshops, networking opportunities with peer organizations, access to the Learning Hub (recorded content and community chats), direct financial support, and fundraising platforms including the Ride for Kids event. Partners range from startup nonprofits to established organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• Ride for Kids An annual cycling fundraising event held in Foxboro, MA (hosted at Schneider Electric's venue) that serves as the primary peer-to-peer fundraising platform for Charity Partners. Offers 25-mile and 50-mile cycling routes plus a virtual 'Choose Your Own Adventure' option and a Ride for Kids Jr. category. All event costs are underwritten by the Don & Marilyn Rodman Foundation so that 100% of funds raised by riders go directly to Charity Partners. 33rd Annual Ride (2023) raised $3 million.
• Celebration for Kids An annual holiday gala and fundraiser held at Seaport Hotel, Boston, featuring live and silent auctions, gourmet food tastings from Boston-area restaurants, and entertainment. Raises funds to ensure kids have a bright year ahead; 100% of winning auction bids are invested in youth programs. The 24th Annual event recognizes Broadway In Boston with the 3rd Annual Real Deal Award. Co-chaired by Mike Botte and Larry Liuzzo.
• Brighter Futures Podcast A podcast telling the stories behind the impact of Rodman for Kids and the people building brighter futures. Distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio. Functions as a brand awareness and donor engagement content program rather than a revenue-generating product.

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Commonwealth Shakespeare CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 partnership where Rodman for Kids covers cost of ALL tickets to Stage2 student matinees of Romeo & Juliet, helps offset transportation costs, and expands access to live theatre for approximately 5,000 high school students from Boston, Brockton, Lawrence, Lynn, and beyond. Partnership includes accessibility supports (open captioning, touch tables) and post-show talkbacks.
• Disney Theatrical GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for Disney's Beauty and the Beast sensory-friendly buyout at Citizens Opera House. More than 2,000 kids attended this accessible performance. Disney Theatrical Group supports accessibility initiatives for Theatre for Kids program.
• Lyric Stage Company of BostonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026$30,000 investment in Theatre for Kids programming through partnership bringing students and families into the world of performing arts. Investment supports accessible theatre experiences.
• Broadway In BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Ongoing partnership for Theatre for Kids performances. Broadway In Boston is described as friends and biggest champions. Partnership includes Hamilton milestone performance (2,500 kids) and ongoing show access. Recipient of 3rd Annual Real Deal Award at Celebration for Kids.
• Uncommon Theatre CompanysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Foxborough Regional Charter School bringing theatre education directly into the classroom. FRCS provides rehearsal/performance space while Uncommon Theatre Company brings expertise and programming to students.
• Blue Man GroupsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for sensory-friendly Blue Man Group performance at Charles Playhouse in Boston. Rodman for Kids donated 200 tickets to families in the autism community through Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism partnership. Inclusivity training provided to staff; reduced sound/light levels, chill zones, sensory guides created.
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for AutismsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration for autism-friendly Blue Man Group performance. Flutie Foundation self-advocate Britini D'Angelo noted autism diagnosis can be financial burden. Foundation provided inclusivity training, worked with Blue Man Group on accommodations including earplugs, sunglasses, and chill zones.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022For the past three years, Schneider Electric has been a vital partner in the success of Rodman for Kids' largest annual fundraising event, the Ride for Kids, by generously donating the venue at their Foxboro location. This partnership reflects Schneider Electric's commitment to community engagement and making a positive difference in communities where employees live and work. Paul Ahearn (Director of Environmental Affairs) and David McMillan (Environmental Manager) represent Schneider Electric in this collaboration.
• WCVB Channel 5 BostonsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Media sponsor for the 32nd Annual Rodman Ride for Kids. Antoinette Antonio covered the Start Line event. Provides media exposure and community coverage for fundraising events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Massachusetts Bay: Regional nonprofit intermediary that aggregates fundraising across a network of partner agencies, mirrors Rodman for Kids' hub-and-spoke model of supporting multiple nonprofits through community-raised funds, though operating across a broader human-services remit.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South: Regional youth-development nonprofit serving Massachusetts communities through programming for kids and teens; a current Rodman for Kids Charity Partner and a representative of the partner-network peer set.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts: Regional chapter of a youth-mentoring nonprofit sharing the Massachusetts operating geography and youth-development mission, also a Rodman for Kids Charity Partner — illustrating the proximate peer relationship between an individual charity and Rodman's umbrella intermediary role.
• The Boston Foundation: Greater Boston's community foundation distributing philanthropic capital to a portfolio of nonprofits, structurally analogous to Rodman for Kids' role as an aggregator of charitable dollars routed to vetted Charity Partners.
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston: Regional giving intermediary that pools and re-grants donor contributions to a portfolio of partner agencies and programs serving community needs, comparable to Rodman for Kids' Charity Partner Program structure of distributing pooled funds across youth-focused nonprofits.
• Pan-Massachusetts Challenge: Large-scale annual cycling fundraising event that routes 100% of rider-raised funds to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, directly comparable to Rodman for Kids' Ride for Kids model of fully underwritten cycling-based charity fundraising with pass-through economics.
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism: Mid-sized family-founded regional foundation that funds autism-related programming and accessibility accommodations, comparable to Rodman for Kids in scale, Massachusetts footprint, and collaborative model of partnering with cultural institutions (e.g., the Blue Man Group sensory-friendly performance partnership).
• VeloSano: Cleveland-based cycling fundraiser benefitting cancer research with a parallel '100% of donations go to research' pass-through model, structurally analogous to the Ride for Kids underwritten-funders-pass-through-funds design.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: National health nonprofit that operates large-scale cycling and athletic fundraising events (e.g., Bike to Breakaway) for charity, sharing Rodman for Kids' cycling-funder-to-program pass-through model at substantially larger scale.

Regional players

• Greater Worcester Community Foundation: Community foundation operating in adjacent Central Massachusetts geography with a similar model of pooling and distributing charitable dollars to a portfolio of regional nonprofits, comparable in mission shape but geographically distinct from Rodman for Kids' Greater Boston core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvH_SK-qvBk0SbUt9gSk2UA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RodmanForKids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rodman-for-kids
• Instagraminstagram.com/rodmanforkids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Rodman for Kids