Sebastianstrong Foundation

What Sebastianstrong Foundation does

SebastianStrong Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2017 in Miami Springs, Florida, by Oscar and Rose Ortiz following the death of their son Sebastian from rhabdomyosarcoma. The foundation's mission is to fund innovative, less-toxic treatments for pediatric cancers and to provide financial and emotional support to families facing childhood cancer. Its core offering is the Discovery Science Award program, a competitive grant mechanism awarding up to $500,000 per project to early-stage pediatric oncology research with potential to reach clinical trials within 1-3 years. The foundation has directed over $7 million toward research since inception and awarded more than $4 million in grants, with overall impact exceeding $6 million when including matched and follow-on funding.

The foundation's programmatic portfolio includes direct financial assistance to families (covering groceries, gas, and travel), the My Childhood Cancer Navigator support service, and an Education, Enrichment & Peace of Mind program providing in-hospital activities and entertainment donations. Revenue is generated exclusively through donations, corporate matching programs, and an extensive annual calendar of community fundraising events including the Discovering Hope Gala, Kayaking/Running the Keys for Hope, Hops for Hope brewery nights, Howl for Hope dueling pianos, the Dolphins Challenge Cancer partnership, and a 5K run/walk. The operational stack relies on standard nonprofit SaaS platforms (Qgiv for donations, Kindful for donor management, RhythmQ for grant applications, Handbid for auctions) rather than proprietary technology.

The foundation is governed by its co-founder Executive Director, COO Jasmine Gomez, a Board of Directors, and a Scientific Advisory Board composed of pediatric oncologists from Johns Hopkins, St. Jude, Cleveland Clinic, Children's National Hospital, Broad Institute, and University of Miami. Strategic research partnerships include Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (where the first-ever DCC SebastianStrong Endowed Chair was established in 2023) and Hyundai Hope On Wheels. The organization maintains Charity Navigator 4-star and GuideStar Platinum Transparency accreditations, and operates primarily in South Florida while expanding into Atlanta, Cleveland, and Washington DC markets via its Hops for Hope series.

Name

Sebastianstrong Foundation

Legal name

SebastianStrong Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://sebastianstrong.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SebastianStrong Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2017 that funds early-stage pediatric cancer research through its Discovery Science Award program (over $4 million granted) and provides financial and emotional support services to families facing childhood cancer, primarily operating in South Florida with expanding brewery-based fundraising events nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Research Funding and Family Support

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research
• Childhood cancer support
• Nonprofit grant funding
• Family financial assistance
• Cancer awareness fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation generates revenue primarily through donations from individuals, corporate matching programs, and event-based fundraising. Donors can give online, by mail, or through securities. The foundation hosts annual galas, athletic events (kayaking, running, walking), brewery partnerships, and corporate partnership events to raise funds for childhood cancer research and family support programs.
2. Discovery Science Award Program: The foundation funds early-stage pediatric cancer research through a competitive grant program called the Discovery Science Award, typically providing up to $500,000 per award. This creates a reciprocal relationship where funded researchers and institutions become part of the foundation's ecosystem, advancing shared mission goals.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SebastianStrong Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that funds early-stage pediatric cancer research through its Discovery Science Award competitive grant program (typically up to $500,000 per award) and delivers direct support services to families facing childhood cancer. The foundation also operates the My Childhood Cancer Navigator family support service, provides direct financial assistance for groceries/gas/travel expenses during treatment, and runs patient enrichment programs including in-hospital activities and donated entertainment items. Its mission is sustained through annual fundraising events (galas, kayaking/running challenges, brewery events, 5K runs) and individual and corporate donations.

Product overview

SebastianStrong Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of pediatric cancer research funding and family support programs. The core offerings include the Discovery Science Award grant program (up to $500,000 per award for early-stage research) and the My Childhood Cancer Navigator family support service. These are supplemented by direct financial assistance, patient enrichment programs, and an annual calendar of fundraising events including the Discovering Hope Gala, Kayaking/Running the Keys for Hope, Howl for Hope, Hops for Hope, Dolphins Challenge Cancer partnership, and 5K Run/Walk events. The foundation also hosts the Torch 35 young professionals group and CAPE Women's Breakfast for community engagement. The Discovery Science Award application process is managed through a RhythmQ-powered online portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discovery Science Award Program Annual competitive grant program funding early-stage pediatric cancer research, typically providing awards up to $500,000 to projects focused on less toxic, more targeted treatments with translational potential to reach clinical trials within 36 months. Open to pediatric oncologists and translational researchers who apply through the RhythmQ-powered application portal.
• My Childhood Cancer Navigator Family navigation service helping families facing childhood cancer find guidance, resources, and support services during treatment.
• Financial Support for Families Direct financial assistance program providing support to families for groceries, gas, hospital travel, and special care costs during childhood cancer treatment.
• Education, Enrichment & Peace of Mind Program Patient support services including in-person activities, virtual visits, and donations of entertainment items such as video game consoles to hospitals and clinics to ease anxiety, isolation, depression, and boredom during treatment.
• Discovering Hope Gala & Silent Auction Annual flagship fundraising gala featuring a silent auction, live entertainment, and community celebration to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Held at venues such as Ace Props + Studios and Curtiss Mansion.
• Kayaking the Keys for Hope Multi-day fundraising event featuring a 100-110 mile kayaking journey from Key Largo to Key West, with families joining paddlers for the final mile.
• Running the Keys for Hope 100-mile relay run from Key Largo to Key West raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer research.
• Howl for Hope Dueling pianos fundraising event featuring live music, craft beverages including the Liquid Courage brew collaboration, and community support for pediatric cancer causes.
• Hops for Hope Craft brewery fundraising events held in multiple cities featuring the Liquid Courage beer collaboration, with proceeds supporting local pediatric oncology programs alongside SebastianStrong.
• Dolphins Challenge Cancer Partnership Partnership with the Miami Dolphins' Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) fundraising event series, with matching funds up to $125,000 (or $75,000 in 2026) and participation in cycling, running, and walking activities that triple the impact of individual fundraising.
• SebastianStrong 5K Run/Walk Annual 5K run/walk event held at Curtiss Mansion in Miami Springs supporting childhood cancer research.
• SebastianStrong Pickleball Classic Pickleball tournament held during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium combining sports fundraising with childhood cancer awareness.
• Torch 35 Young professionals' group that supports the foundation's mission through fundraising events, volunteer programs, personal contributions, and community outreach initiatives.
• CAPE Women's Breakfast Women's networking breakfast event championing childhood cancer awareness, with proceeds supporting Christmas gift programs for families in treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Directed over $7 million toward promising discoveries and less-toxic treatment options since founding.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Glover Park BreweryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 September 2025Hops for Hope event in Atlanta hosted at Glover Park Brewery. Proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center along with SebastianStrong.
• Great Lakes Brewing Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 September 2024Hops for Hope events hosted at Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland. Proceeds benefit VeloSano and Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital along with SebastianStrong. Special 'Liquid Courage' beer created for the partnership.
• The Tank Brewing Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 May 2023Howl for Hope dueling piano events and Hops for Hope Miami hosted at The Tank Brewing Co. Custom brew 'Liquid Courage' crafted exclusively for SebastianStrong. Events include live music and fundraising activities.
• Astro Lab BrewingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 September 2022Hops for Hope DC event at Astro Lab Brewing with special beer 'Liquid Courage' release to honor Isabel 'Boom Boom' Krum. Percentage of proceeds go to pediatric oncology program at Children's National Hospital.
• Castaways Against CancerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2020SebastianStrong and Castaways Against Cancer partnered to raise funds for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, as covered by University of Miami Physician News.
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (University of Miami)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSebastianStrong partners with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for pediatric cancer research funding. The foundation established the first-ever DCC SebastianStrong Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research at Sylvester. Dr. Matteo Trucco was recruited to Sylvester in 2016 to direct the Early Phase Pediatric Clinical Research Program. Dr. Warren Alperstein serves as Assistant Professor at the University of Miami.
• Miami Dolphins (Dolphins Challenge Cancer)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partnership with Miami Dolphins' Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC), described as the #1 fundraising event in the NFL. SebastianStrong participates in DCC XIV, XV, XVI events where participants walk, run, or ride to raise funds. The first $125,000 (or $75,000 in 2026) raised is matched by Dolphins Challenge Cancer, tripling impact.
• MIB AgentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MIB Agents for the 2019 OUTSMARTING OSTEOSARCOMA AWARD supporting new immune-mediated therapies for lung osteosarcoma research.
• Children's National HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Adriana Fonseca serves as pediatric neuro-oncologist at Children's National Hospital and leads the Rare Brain Tumor Program. Check presentations made to Children's National Hospital during Hops for Hope DC events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• St. Baldrick's Foundation: One of the largest charitable funders of childhood cancer research, distributing grants and conducting head-shaving and other community events. Closest direct peer to SebastianStrong in pediatric cancer grantmaking plus volunteer-driven fundraising.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Funds research through multi-institutional collaborations and provides patient/family support. Shares SebastianStrong's focus on translational pediatric oncology research and centralized grantmaking.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National pediatric cancer nonprofit funding research and providing patient/family support resources. Comparable grantmaking programs (e.g., CureSearch Acceleration Initiative) align with SebastianStrong's Discovery Science Award model.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Leading childhood cancer nonprofit that funds pediatric oncology research and supports families through financial assistance and travel-for-care programs. Directly comparable to SebastianStrong in research-grant funding model, family services, and event-driven fundraising ethos.
• Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation: Funds emerging research and clinical trials across multiple pediatric cancer types, providing a peer benchmark for Science Award-style translational funding with parallel child/family support.

Emerging players

• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Community-driven pediatric cancer research fundraiser that shares SebastianStrong's grassroots, volunteer-led event approach though it focuses primarily on direct research funding without family financial-support services.
• MIB Agents: Pediatric osteosarcoma-specific nonprofit that partners with SebastianStrong on disease-specific grantmaking (OUTSMARTING OSTEOSARCOMA AWARD). A niche, disease-focused peer with shared research-funding model.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National nonprofit providing education, advocacy, and support to children with cancer and their families. Comparable in family support services and education focus though more advocacy than research grantmaking.
• Hyundai Hope On Wheels: Corporate-backed pediatric cancer research grantmaker that has awarded Hope Scholar Grants to investigators SebastianStrong itself funds (e.g., Dr. Warren Alperstein). Comparable mission and Scholar Award structure.

Broad incumbents

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Large incumbent providing lodging, meals, and family support services near pediatric hospitals. Overlaps with SebastianStrong's family financial-support and Navigator services though operates at vastly larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SebastianStrong.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sebastianstrong
• Instagraminstagram.com/sebsstrong

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sebastianstrong Foundation