What Prayers From Maria Foundation does

Prayers From Maria Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 20226 Detroit Road in Rocky River, Ohio, founded in 2007 by Ed and Megan McNamara following the death of their seven-year-old daughter Maria from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The foundation funds global research into causes, prevention, treatments, and cures for childhood gliomas and operates awareness and family-support programs. Core operational assets include Maria's Field of Hope, an 18-acre sunflower field in Avon, Ohio planted annually with 477,000 Mammoth Grey Stripe seeds, plus a second seasonal field at Cedar Point in Sandusky; the Maria's Shop retail storefront and online store; signature fundraising events (Sunflower Wine Festival, Sunflower Soiree, Sunflower Striders running team); and the DIPG/DMG Nurse Navigator Program launched in 2021. Research is overseen by a Scientific Advisory Board chaired by Mark W. Kieran, MD, PhD, with senior pediatric neuro-oncologists from Dana-Farber, St. Jude, and other leading institutions; the foundation has cumulatively directed over $12 million to childhood brain cancer research since inception. The foundation is supported by a small paid staff (1-10 employees), 500+ active volunteers, and a network of family-partner foundations (Friends of Melana, Pray4Jax) and corporate sponsors including Petitti's Garden Centers, KeyBank, Jersey Mike's, Cohen & Co., and Giant Eagle.

The business model is donation- and event-driven with reported overhead of approximately 8%. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring individual donations (Grow the Movement Club at $11/month minimum), event ticket sales (Wine Festival wristbands $25-$250, Soiree tickets $500 and sponsorships up to $16,000), corporate sponsorships of fields and events (tiers $1,000-$10,000), sunflower dedications starting at $25, merchandise sales through Maria's Shop (online and at two physical locations), wholesale Seeds of Hope distribution through regional garden centers, and rentals of the Maria's Ice Cream Wagon. Customer segments are primarily individual donors and families affected by pediatric gliomas, with secondary segments in corporate partners (cause-marketing through the Season of the Sunflower campaign) and schools/youth organizations (Seeds of Change fundraisers, Premier Sunflower School recognition). The foundation is privately held as an independent nonprofit, is not backed by private equity or venture capital, and was recognized with the 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Name

Prayers From Maria Foundation

Legal name

Prayers From Maria Foundation

Website

https://prayersfrommaria.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Prayers From Maria Foundation is a Rocky River, Ohio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds pediatric glioma research and supports affected families through Maria's Field of Hope sunflower fields, signature events, the DIPG/DMG Nurse Navigator Program, and retail and recurring-giving programs, having directed over $12 million to childhood brain cancer research since 2007.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

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

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
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Brain tumor awareness
• Memorial giving programs
• Glioma research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Rocky River

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including tribute donations in memory or honor of loved ones
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including Sunflower Wine Festival, Sunflower Soiree, and Sunflower Striders running team participation fees
3. Merchandise Sales: Sales from Maria's Shop including Seeds of Hope (bird seed from harvested sunflower seeds), merchandise, and commemorative items
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for Maria's Field of Hope and event sponsorships for Wine Festival and Soiree

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Prayers From Maria Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds global research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure of deadly childhood brain tumors (gliomas/DIPG/DMG). It generates funding through individual donations, recurring monthly giving (Grow the Movement Club), signature fundraising events (Sunflower Wine Festival, Sunflower Soiree, Sunflower Striders), corporate sponsorships, retail merchandise (Maria's Shop, Seeds of Hope), and ancillary programs like the Ice Cream Wagon rental, and directs those funds into scientific research grants, family support (DIPG/DMG Nurse Navigator Program), and awareness (Maria's Field of Hope sunflower fields).

Product overview

Prayers From Maria Foundation is a charitable organization offering a portfolio of awareness programs, fundraising events, and retail products centered on childhood brain cancer research. The core offerings include Maria's Field of Hope (18-acre public sunflower field memorial), signature events (Sunflower Wine Festival, Sunflower Soiree, Sunflower Striders), research grant programs, memorial services (Memorial Wall, sunflower dedications), and merchandise (Maria's Shop, Seeds of Hope bird seed). Additional programs include the Grow the Movement Club monthly giving, school programs, business partnership opportunities through Season of the Sunflower, corporate field sponsorships, and the Ice Cream Wagon rental service. The foundation has distributed over $12 million to childhood brain cancer research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maria's Field of Hope: Sunflower fields dedicated to raising awareness for childhood brain cancer and honoring children who have died from the disease
• Seeds of Hope
• Maria's Shop
• Maria's Ice Cream Wagon

Products and services

• Maria's Field of Hope An 18-acre public sunflower memorial in Avon, Ohio (with 477,000 Mammoth Grey Stripe sunflower seeds planted annually) open to visitors during September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, plus a secondary location at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH during Frontier Festival. Includes Maria's Shop on-site during bloom season.
• Sunflower Wine Festival Annual signature wine and craft beer festival in Rocky River, Ohio featuring live music, food vendors, and VIP experiences, with all proceeds supporting childhood brain cancer research. Tickets sold via wristband tiers (Garden, VIP, Street).
• Sunflower Soiree Annual VIP fundraising event held at The Foundry in Cleveland Flats featuring cocktails, dinner, silent auction, and raffles to support research initiatives. Individual tickets $500 with table seating; corporate sponsorship tiers from $500 up to $16,000 Presenting Partner.
• Sunflower Striders Running Team Charity partner program for the Cleveland Marathon where runners register and fundraise as part of the Sunflower Striders team, with proceeds supporting childhood brain cancer research.
• Maria's Ice Cream Wagon Mobile ice cream wagon available for rental at private events, schools, and parties, with all proceeds supporting the foundation's mission to end childhood cancer.
• Seeds of Hope Harvested sunflower seeds from Maria's Field of Hope sold as bird seed through Maria's Shop, the online store, and partner garden centers (Petitti's, The Rock Pile, Barnes Nursery), with 100% of proceeds supporting brain cancer research.
• Grow the Movement Club Recurring monthly giving program where donors contribute $11 or more per month ($11 honors Maria's birthday of January 11th) to fund research, fields, or unrestricted use. New members receive a welcome package with a grow kit, and contributions fund over 2 hours of research annually.
• Maria's Shop Combined physical retail gift shop at the Rocky River, OH headquarters (open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm) and online store at shop.prayersfrommaria.org selling Seeds of Hope bird seed, branded apparel, commemorative items, and Prayers From Maria merchandise.
• Sunflower Shutterbug Pass Photography permit program for professional photographers to conduct shoots at Maria's Field of Hope; one-day passes available for $50 and season passes for $100.
• Sunflower Dedication Program Tribute donation product that allows donors to dedicate sunflowers at Maria's Field of Hope in memory of loved ones or in honor of individuals, with prayer card placements starting at a $25 minimum donation ($50 for new memorial signage, $100 to farm an acre).
• Field Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program for Maria's Field of Hope with tiered packages: Mammoth Field Sponsor $10,000, Maria's Shop $7,500, Seed Sponsor $5,000, and Gardener Sponsor $1,000.
• Research Grant Program (including DIPG/DMG Nurse Navigator Program) Scientific research funding program awarding grants to research institutions for childhood glioma research, vetted by the Medical/Scientific Advisory Board. Includes the DIPG/DMG Nurse Navigator Program (launched 2021) that provides free guidance for patients and families facing pediatric brain cancer diagnosis. Cumulative grants distributed exceed $12 million.
• Brain Tumor Awareness License Plate Ohio specialty license plate available through oplates.com featuring brain tumor awareness branding; $35 from each plate sale is donated directly to the foundation.

Named customers3 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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pray4JaxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Family partner foundation started in memory of Jax Ethan Stone. Raises funds through softball tournaments and other events, donating to Prayers From Maria.
• Friends of Melana FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Joined forces with Prayers From Maria as parent foundation. Has raised over $100,000 for glioma research. First memorial grant (The Melana Matson Memorial Grant) awarded in 2011.
• KeyBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting children fighting brain cancer through foundation partnerships
• Armada Risk PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting children fighting brain cancer through foundation partnerships
• Cedar PointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership includes Maria's Field of Hope location at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio during Frontier Festival season. Sunflower field at Cedar Point open late July-August with merchandise sales.
• Petitti's Garden CenterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSells Seeds of Hope (harvested sunflower seeds) with 100% of profits going to foundation. Also corporate sponsor.
• Jersey Mike'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting children fighting brain cancer through foundation partnerships
• Cohen & Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting children fighting brain cancer through foundation partnerships
• Giant EagleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting children fighting brain cancer through foundation partnerships

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Funds and accelerates childhood cancer research across multiple tumor types. Comparable mission and donor base, larger organizational footprint.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Largest nonprofit dedicated specifically to pediatric brain tumors. Directly competes for the same donor pool and research grantees in the same disease area as Prayers From Maria.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Funds pediatric cancer research through hospital alliances and awareness campaigns. Comparable mission and donor demographic, broader pediatric focus.
• Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research: Brain-tumor-specific nonprofit funding research and patient support. Overlapping disease focus (brain tumors) with broader age scope.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer research grantmaker with strong community fundraising and volunteer programs. Directly comparable peer on mission and grassroots operating model.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Childhood cancer research-focused nonprofit that funds grants and clinical trials. Closely comparable mission, donor base, and grantmaking model, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Volunteer- and event-driven childhood cancer research funder. Highly comparable peer given shared event-driven fundraising model and pediatric cancer research grantmaking.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National advocacy and support organization for children with cancer and their families. Comparable in serving affected families and funding/support programs.
• The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation: Family-founded childhood cancer foundation providing research funding and family support. Closely comparable structure and mission, founded by bereaved parents.

Broad incumbents

• CureSearch: Large-scale childhood cancer research accelerator. Functions as a broad incumbent in the same funding space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PrayerfromMaria
• YouTubevimeo.com/user112828059
• Facebookfacebook.com/PrayersfromMaria
• Instagraminstagram.com/prayersfrommaria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prayers-from-maria-foundation

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

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Frequently asked questions about Prayers From Maria Foundation