Ukandu

What Ukandu does

Ukandu is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1986 as Camp Ukandu to provide medically supervised overnight summer camp experiences for children with cancer. The organization delivers a year-round wraparound support portfolio serving families impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer — patients, survivors, siblings, parents, caregivers, and bereaved families — across Oregon, with a stated reach of 1,700+ families and 7,500+ individual program participants served since inception. Its core programs include Camp Ukandu (week-long residential summer camp at YMCA Camp Collins for ages 8-18), Ukandu Family Camp (week-long family sleepaway at Camp Magruder), Ukandu Teen Retreat (Salmon River white-water kayaking for ages 14-20 with LEAP guides), Ukandu Corps (teen leadership/service program at Moda Tower), Ukandu Virtual Programs (nationwide year-round activities), and the annual Ukandu Family (Re)Union reunion.

All programs are provided 100% free of charge and are medically informed, with licensed clinical staff (e.g., Clinical Director Joel Lampert, PsyD) and on-site pediatric oncology nursing oversight during residential camp. The technology footprint is administrative rather than product-centric: CampDoc handles camp registration, Salesforce manages participant intake at The Loft, Classy/GoFundMe processes donations, and Golden powers volunteer management. The organization has 6 full-time staff augmented by 200+ annual volunteers, has held American Camping Association accreditation since 2002, and earned the 2024 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels — individual donations (one-time and recurring), corporate sponsorships ($1,000-$50,000 tiers plus a $50,000 annual featured partner), foundation grants, donor-advised fund grants, planned/legacy giving, stock donations, and third-party fundraising events (Wine & Dine for Hope & Joy, Annual Golf Tournament, End-of-Year Campaign). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: families are referred through hospital partnerships with Doernbecher and Randall Children's Hospitals, healthcare provider networks, and word-of-mouth; donors are cultivated via signature events, the annual newsletter, blog content including the Clinical Director's "More Than Medicine" series, and a private Ukandu Families Facebook community. Ukandu is currently executing its largest capital initiative — The Loft, a permanent headquarters and year-round programming hub opening in 2026, strategically located within minutes of both major Portland children's hospitals.

Name

Ukandu

Legal name

Ukandu

Website

https://ukandu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ukandu is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides year-round, medically informed programs — residential camps, family camp, teen retreats, virtual programming, and the upcoming Loft community hub — entirely free of charge to Oregon families impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Childhood Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer support
• Medically supervised camps
• Family cancer retreats
• Nonprofit youth services
• Childhood cancer community

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission. One-time and recurring monthly/quarterly donation options available online.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 for events and annual featured partner status at $50,000. Sponsorships directly fund camp programs, family activities, and facility operations.
3. Foundation Grants: Capital campaign grants from charitable foundations (e.g., $300,000 from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, $100,000 from Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation) specifically for The Loft construction and programming.
4. Donor-Advised Fund Grants: Individuals direct grants from their donor-advised funds (DAFs) to Ukandu using provided legal name and Tax ID (46-4296454).
5. Planned/Legacy Giving: Bequests and estate gifts designated to Ukandu in wills, providing long-term sustainability and endowment support.
6. Stock Donations: Donors can transfer publicly traded securities; stocks are liquidated upon receipt with gift value determined by average of high and low on day of receipt.
7. Third-Party Events: External organizations produce fundraising events with proceeds benefiting Ukandu. Ukandu must approve all third-party events and maintains approval rights over branding and publicity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ukandu is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers a year-round portfolio of medically informed programs for families impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer. Offerings include residential summer camps, family sleepaway camps, teen outdoor adventure retreats, leadership corps, virtual programming, and a community hub (The Loft), all provided 100% free of charge to families and funded by donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Ukandu is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of year-round programs for families impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer. The portfolio consists of residential camp programs (Camp Ukandu at YMCA Camp Collins and Ukandu Family Camp at Camp Magruder), outdoor adventure (Ukandu Teen Retreat on the Salmon River), teen leadership (Ukandu Corps), virtual programming, and The Loft—a new community hub opening in 2026. All programs are 100% free of charge and medically informed.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Camp Ukandu
• Ukandu Family Camp
• Ukandu Teen Retreat
• Ukandu Corps
• Ukandu Virtual Programs
• Ukandu Family (Re)Union
• The Loft

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of participants report increased sense of hope after attending Ukandu programs
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Walsh ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner working closely with Ukandu over the past 2 years to bring The Loft to life. Walsh Construction has been instrumental in the building process.
• Gensler ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural design partner for The Loft project. Gensler Architects has worked with Ukandu to create a welcoming space informed by family feedback.
• LEAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEAP provides certified river guides for Ukandu Teen Retreat. LEAP sets up camp each evening, cooks dinner and breakfast, and provides kayaking instruction and guidance for teens navigating the Salmon River.
• Knight Cancer Institute's Community Partnership ProgramstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkandu conducted research with the Knight Cancer Institute's Community Partnership Program to gather feedback from families impacted by childhood cancer to inform The Loft design.
• Honeycomb PsychologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConfirmed sponsor for 2026 Wine & Dine event.
• Mears CPMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConfirmed sponsor for 2026 Wine & Dine event.
• Holman AutominorGTM or Marketing PartnerConfirmed sponsor for 2026 Wine & Dine event.
• Camp MagrudercoreOthersHost venue for Ukandu Family Camp near Rockaway Beach, Oregon at the Oregon Coast.
• YMCA Camp CollinscoreOthersHost venue for Camp Ukandu summer camp program.
• Chocolat-eminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured food vendor at Wine & Dine events.
• The Redd on SalmonminorOthersVenue host for Wine & Dine for Hope & Joy events.
• Riverside Golf and Country ClubminorOthersExclusive venue for Ukandu Annual Golf Tournament.
• Gensler (Architect)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo listed as community partner - architectural design for The Loft.
• YMCAcoreOthersLogo listed as community partner - provides Camp Collins venue for Camp Ukandu.
• Care CampsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogo listed as community partner - organization supporting camp programs.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: National nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses including cancer. Comparable beneficiary base and corporate-sponsorship-driven funding model, though focused on wish delivery rather than ongoing family/camp programming.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: National nonprofit providing family housing and support during pediatric medical treatment, including cancer. Comparable in beneficiary base (families facing pediatric cancer) and hospital-proximity operating model, though larger scope and broader illness categories.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit delivering programs (virtual reality, gaming, hospital wear, family events) for children with serious illnesses including cancer. Comparable beneficiary base and family-focused programming; broader illness scope and larger scale than Ukandu.

Direct peers

• SeriousFun Children's Network: Global network of medically supported camps and programs for children with serious illnesses, founded by Paul Newman. Direct peer to Ukandu's medically supervised Camp Ukandu model, with comparable year-round programming and family support mission.
• Camp Sunshine: Provides year-round retreat programs for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, including oncology-focused programming. Closely comparable to Ukandu's whole-family model (patient, sibling, parent programming) and 100% free-of-charge delivery.
• Special Love / Camp Fantastic: Provides camping programs and year-round support for children with cancer and their families in the Mid-Atlantic region. Direct peer in mission and medically supervised camp model; comparable to Ukandu's residential overnight programs.
• Camp Quality USA: Provides free residential summer camps, family programs, and year-round support for children with cancer and their families. Directly comparable peer in mission, free-to-families model, and volunteer-driven delivery.
• Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation: National network of parent-led organizations supporting families of children with cancer, including peer support, financial assistance, and family programs. Closely comparable in mission, family support model, and reliance on volunteer-led local chapters.

Regional players

• Children's Cancer Association (CCA): Pacific Northwest nonprofit (Portland-headquartered) delivering hospital-based and community programs — including JoyRx music, Chemo Pal mentor, and Link resources — to children with cancer and serious illnesses. Highly comparable to Ukandu in geography, beneficiary base, and program mix; not a direct competitor due to differentiated in-hospital vs. camp focus.

Others

• Children's Oncology Camping Association International (COCA-I): Industry/trade association for camps serving children with cancer — Ukandu is a member. Ecosystem enabler and indirect peer that connects camp operators like Ukandu to shared standards, advocacy, and peer learning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/share/g/hUqqjw3T4ncH86JH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ukandu

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Ukandu