Susie Q's Kids, Inc.

What Susie Q's Kids, Inc. does

Susie Q's Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit headquartered in Warren, Michigan (operational base in Sterling Heights), founded in 2016 by Dr. Mary Welsh and Joseph Welsh in memory of their late daughter Susan McBride-Welsh ("Susie Q"). The organization assembles and distributes custom-tailored comfort bags containing panda bears, blankets, hygiene kits, sensory kits, and grief kits to children facing hospitalization, hospice, shelter, foster care, grief, abuse, or disability. Distribution is conducted exclusively through institutional nonprofit partners — including Children's Hospital of Michigan, Big Family of Michigan, Gilda's Club, CARE of Southeast Michigan, MCREST, First Step, Angela's Hospice Care, Elle's Place, Macomb County Child Advocacy Center, Penrickton Center for the Blind, and Play Place for Autistic Kids — rather than direct-to-consumer. Bags are assembled by volunteers at monthly bag stuffing events held at the Sterling Heights Lions Club and through corporate volunteer programs. The organization is privately held with 1-10 employees, EIN 83-2545476, and is recognized through GuideStar Platinum Transparency (2022, 2024) and Great Nonprofits Top Rated (2021, 2022, 2024).

The organization's revenue model is donation-based across four streams: corporate sponsorships at five tiers ($500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000), individual donations via PayPal, third-party donation programs (Amazon Smile, Kroger Community Rewards, Facebook Fundraisers), and in-kind product donations from individuals and corporations (Mattel, Bombas, Project Linus, NAEIR). Pricing is not for product sales but for sponsorship and giving levels. The go-to-market motion is event-driven and community-led, with awareness generated through TV appearances, podcasts, Lions/Kiwanis/Rotary/NAMI speaking engagements, Alignable and BNI networking, and Facebook-driven fundraising. Since founding, the organization claims to have helped 6,000+ children with comfort bags and has received recognition including MichBusiness Non-Profit of the Year (2023), NAMI Advocate of the Year (2024), and Lions Club International Joe Sandomierski Humanitarian Award (2022). Dr. Mary Welsh also publishes related books through a parallel personal brand (drmarywelsh.com) on grief and positive reflection.

Name

Susie Q's Kids, Inc.

Legal name

Susie Q's Kids, Inc.

Website

https://susieqskids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Susie Q's Kids is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that assembles and distributes custom comfort bags (panda bears, blankets, hygiene, sensory, and grief kits) to children in hospitals, hospices, shelters, foster care, and grief support programs through 30+ nonprofit partner organizations, funded via corporate sponsorships, donations, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Warren

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple levels ($500-$10,000+) enabling businesses to support comfort bag programs for kids in need.
2. Individual Donations: Direct financial donations from individuals via PayPal and other methods to support comfort bag assembly and distribution.
3. Third-party Donation Programs: Amazon Smile, Kroger Community Rewards, and Facebook Fundraiser programs generate donations based on shopping activity.
4. In-Kind Donations: Products donated by individuals and corporations for use in comfort bags.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Susie Q's Kids is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that assembles and distributes custom-tailored comfort bags containing panda bears, blankets, hygiene products, sensory items, and grief kits to children in hospitals, hospices, shelters, foster care, grief centers, autism centers, and other settings. The organization engages community volunteers through monthly bag stuffing events and partners with hospitals, shelters, and advocacy organizations across Michigan to reach children in need.

Product overview

Susie Q's Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that provides comfort bags and related products to children in need. The core offering consists of custom-tailored comfort bags containing essential items such as hygiene products, blankets, panda bears, coloring supplies, and sensory items. The organization also offers specialized grief kits for children experiencing loss, and publishes books by Dr. Mary Welsh on grief and positive reflection. Products are distributed through nonprofit partners including hospitals, hospices, shelters, foster care agencies, grief centers, and schools. The organization engages volunteers through monthly bag stuffing events and corporate partnership programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comfort Bags Custom-tailored comfort bags containing essential items such as hygiene products, blankets, stuffed panda bears, coloring books, art supplies, crayons, card games, journals, and educational items, customized for different recipient organizations and age groups and distributed free to children in need.
• Grief Kits Specialized comfort items for children grieving the loss of loved ones, including grief comfort bags distributed to hospice programs and grief support centers.
• Journey into the Looking Glass: Finding Hope after the Loss of Loved Ones

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,000+ children helped with comfort bags
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Big Family of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary provider of emergency comfort bags distributed to DHHS, Adoption Agencies, community resource centers, and churches serving foster, abused, neglected, and institutionalized youth
• Children's Hospital of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComfort bags provided to hospitalized children to create normalcy, relief, and support during hospitalization
• New Hope Center for Grief SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrief comfort bags provided to young grievers; Dr. Mary Welsh conducts 8-week grief facilitation program for the center
• Henry Ford SandcastlescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with grief program for children and families; Dr. Mary's books and speaking aligned with their mission
• Sterling Heights Lions ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLions provide hall space for monthly bag stuffing events; Dr. Mary serves as Club President; Lions support funding and volunteer efforts
• MattelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate philanthropy partner providing products for comfort bags
• Project LinusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates handmade blankets for comfort bags
• Bombas SocksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing socks to keep children warm
• NAEIRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind product donations from American corporations for use in comfort bags
• Lions Bear Lake CampcoreGTM or Marketing Partner$30,000 in art supplies donated; serves blind and visually-impaired children; partnered with Susie Q's Kids and Sterling Heights Lions Club
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner of the Year; Susie Q's Kids staffs children's tents at Out of the Darkness walks, raises awareness of positive reflection and mental health
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Mary speaks at NAMI conferences; organization nominated Susie Q's Kids for Advocate of the Year 2024
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Mary spoke at United Way event; Susie Q's Kids became a 211 Partner to make impact in the community
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazonSmile program donates a portion of purchases to Susie Q's Kids when selected as charity
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program donates to Susie Q's Kids based on shopping activity
• Great NonprofitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform for community reviews and Top Rated nonprofit designation
• Candid/GuidestarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuideStar Platinum Transparency 2024, 2022 - nonprofit transparency verification
• Charity NavigatorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity rating platform for nonprofit evaluation
• Gilda's ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComfort bags gifted to children in therapy at Gilda's Club programs serving cancer patients and families
• CARE of Southeast MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComfort bags with socks, hygiene items, dental hygiene items, blankets, bears, and activity items
• HavencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless shelter receiving comfort bags for children in need
• MCRESTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShelter receiving comfort bags for children in their programs
• First StepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShelter for women and children receiving comfort bags for kids in their program
• Angela's Hospice CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrief comfort bags provided for children going through the hospice process
• Elle's PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrief support organization for children receiving comfort bags
• Macomb County Child Advocacy Center/Care HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren receiving backpacks from Susie Q's Kids
• Penrickton Center for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for blind and sight-impaired children; explored tools to engage kids
• BNI Eastside-LaunchpadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness networking group grants nonprofit membership for networking and referrals
• Advancing MacombminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMacomb County nonprofit network providing learning and engagement opportunities
• Durfee Innovation Society/Life RemodeledminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership planned with nonprofits housed in their program to aid kids in need
• Clarity VoiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany team assembled comfort bags for donation to Grace Center of Hope
• BCBSM (Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExploring opportunities to work together with industry and community nonprofits to provide comfort bags to kids in need
• Play Place for Autistic KidscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$40,000 in product donations for camp and day programs
• The Compassionate FriendscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Mary presented at National Conference on 'How to Weave Your Story Forward'
• Bereaved Parents of USA (BPUSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Mary and Joe Welsh serve as Board Members; Dr. Mary presented at National Conference
• Black Girl VenturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-founders attended Pitch Competition; Dusty Welsh served as judge
• Co.act DetroitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCapacity building forum for nonprofits - Susie Q's Kids participated in 'How We Invest' seminar
• AlignableminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDr. Mary Welsh serves as Alignable Ambassador of Macomb County

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Together We Rise: Nonprofit serving foster youth through 'Sweet Cases' (duffel bags with comfort items) and other support programs. Highly comparable operating model: assembling physical comfort kits for foster children via volunteers and distributing through agency partnerships.
• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit distributing essential items including clothing, hygiene products, and comfort items to children living in poverty, in homeless shelters, and in domestic violence programs. Comparable mission (children in crisis) and product-distribution model.
• Good+Foundation: Nonprofit providing essential items to families in need, particularly children living in poverty, with focus on partnership distribution. Comparable item-distribution model serving children in shelters and through social service partners.
• Project Night Night: Nonprofit providing 'Night Night' packages containing blankets, stuffed animals, and books to homeless children. Directly comparable in distributing comfort bundles containing blankets and plush items to children experiencing homelessness and crisis.
• Comfort Cases: Nonprofit providing backpacks and comfort items to youth entering foster care. Directly comparable to Susie Q's Kids' comfort bag distribution to foster and abused children, with overlapping beneficiary population and item-based intervention model.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit delivering comfort, distraction, and entertainment programs to hospitalized children. Comparable mission focus on hospitalized pediatric populations and partnership-based distribution to children's hospitals, including Children's Hospital of Michigan.
• Project Linus: National nonprofit providing handmade blankets to children in need, including those in hospitals, shelters, and foster care. Project Linus is also an active in-kind donor to Susie Q's Kids, supplying blankets for comfort bags, indicating highly aligned mission and beneficiary population.

Others

• National Children's Alliance: National membership organization supporting Child Advocacy Centers serving child victims of abuse, including Macomb County Child Advocacy Center (a Susie Q's Kids partner). Indirectly comparable as ecosystem partner and beneficiary organization for the comfort bag program.

Broad incumbents

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Large established nonprofit providing housing and family-support services to families with hospitalized children. Comparable focus on hospitalized children and partnership with children's hospitals, but operates at significantly larger national scale with established infrastructure and brand recognition.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: National nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Operates in overlapping space (children facing medical challenges, hospital partnerships) but at much larger scale with broader brand recognition and corporate sponsor network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/susieqskids
• Facebookfacebook.com/susieqskids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/susieqskids
• Instagraminstagram.com/susieqskids

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Susie Q's Kids, Inc.