the chelsea hutchison foundation

What the chelsea hutchison foundation does

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by Doug and Julie Hutchison in memory of their daughter Chelsea, who died from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) at age 16. Headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, the foundation operates as a disease-focused grant-making and awareness entity serving individuals and families in the United States affected by epilepsy, a population the foundation cites at approximately 3.4 million Americans with roughly 50,000 annual seizure-related deaths.

The foundation's core programmatic offerings are grants for seizure-response dogs and movement monitors, funded through donations and event proceeds. Cumulative outputs include 186 seizure-response dog grants, more than 1,700 movement monitors (covering devices such as Emfit, SAMiAlert, SmartWatch Inspyre, and Embrace2), and 142 wish trips sent to the Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland/Disney World under the Chelsea's Wish program. The foundation does not develop proprietary technology; instead, it maintains referral relationships with four service dog organizations (Domesti-Pups, SIT Service Dogs, Little Angels Service Dogs, 4 Paws for Ability) and recommends a curated set of third-party monitoring hardware. Annual awareness and fundraising events include STOMP Out Epilepsy and SUDEP walks in Colorado and Nebraska, Chelsea's Bingo sessions at a dedicated Aurora, Colorado venue, galas, and the Purple Duck Chase at Elitch Gardens.

The foundation is governed by a four-person family board (President Julie Hutchison, Vice President Douglas Hutchison, Secretary Ashlee Baldwin, Treasurer Brady Hutchison) and operates through volunteer ambassadors and a community-led go-to-market model. Revenue is generated exclusively through donations, event proceeds, an online store, and a round-up spare-change program; financial figures are not publicly disclosed. Marketing is executed across Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Pinterest, with personal ambassador stories serving as the primary awareness mechanism.

Name

the chelsea hutchison foundation

Legal name

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation

Website

https://chelseahutchisonfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that provides grants for seizure-response dogs and movement monitors to U.S. families affected by epilepsy, while raising awareness of SUDEP through community events and wish trips.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Epilepsy Patient Support Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Epilepsy support services
• Seizure response grants
• Nonprofit health foundation
• SUDEP awareness education
• Patient assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Littleton

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation raises funds through donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and event participants. Major annual events include STOMP walks, bingo sessions, galas, and the Purple Duck Chase at Elitch Gardens. The foundation also receives support through its online store and round-up donation program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises SUDEP awareness and provides grants for seizure-response dogs and movement monitors to individuals and families affected by epilepsy in the United States. The foundation also funds Chelsea's Wish trips to Disneyland, weighted blankets, and operates fundraising events including STOMP walks, Chelsea's Bingo, galas, and the Purple Duck Chase at Elitch Gardens.

Product overview

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides grants for seizure-response dogs and movement monitors for individuals with epilepsy. The foundation's core offerings consist of: (1) Seizure-Response Dog Grants that help families afford trained service dogs; and (2) Movement Monitor grants covering devices like Emfit bed sensors, SAMiAlert video monitors, SmartWatch Inspyre, and Embrace2 smartwatches. The foundation also runs Chelsea's Wish trips to Disneyland, STOMP awareness walks, Chelsea's Bingo fundraising events, and the Purple Duck Chase. All grants and programs aim to prevent SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and support families affected by epilepsy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STOMP Out Epilepsy and SUDEP: Annual awareness walk/run event to raise funds and awareness for SUDEP and epilepsy
• Chelsea's Wish
• Chelsea's Bingo

Products and services

• Seizure-Response Dog Grants Financial grants helping individuals with epilepsy obtain trained seizure-response dogs that can alert family members, summon help, brace a fall, bring emergency medications, and potentially detect oncoming seizures. To date, 186 grants have been provided.
• Movement Monitor Grants Financial grants covering epilepsy movement monitors including Emfit, SAMi, SmartWatch Inspyre, Embrace2, and other devices that alert parents or caregivers when a seizure occurs, enabling immediate response. To date, 1,700+ monitors have been provided.
• Chelsea's Wish Grant program sending families affected by epilepsy to Epilepsy Awareness Day and Expo at Disneyland and Disney World, providing respite and community support. 142 trip winners have been granted to date.
• STOMP Out Epilepsy and SUDEP Annual awareness walk/run events held in Littleton, CO and Norfolk, NE with virtual participation options to raise funds and awareness for SUDEP and epilepsy.
• Chelsea's Bingo Regular bingo events held Sundays and Tuesdays at Turn of the Century Bingo hall in Aurora, CO, with $2,000 in payouts each session to raise funds for the foundation's mission.
• Purple Duck Chase Annual duck race at Elitch Gardens where sponsored purple ducks race down the Lazy River, with duck sponsorships starting at $5 to raise epilepsy awareness and funds.
• Weighted Blankets Weighted blankets provided through foundation grants to help individuals with epilepsy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 186 seizure-response dog grants provided
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Domesti-PupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecommended service dog organization providing therapy dogs, service dogs for persons with disabilities, and trained rescue dogs. Their mission is to improve quality of life for persons with special needs through assistance of animals.
• SIT Service DogscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService dog organization supporting independence through teamwork, providing mobility assistance dogs and medical alert dogs.
• Little Angels Service DogscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService dog organization reaching across all of the United States partnering service dogs with the disabled, dedicated to providing the highest quality dogs.
• 4 Paws for AbilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnriches the lives of children with disabilities by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs, providing increased independence for children and assistance to families.
• EmfitcoreTechnology or IntegrationMovement monitor manufacturer providing bed sensors that detect abnormal movements during seizures. CHF recommends Emfit monitors as life-saving equipment.
• SAMiAlert (Smart-Monitor)coreTechnology or IntegrationSleep activity monitor using audio-video information from infrared camera to detect unusual movements and alert caregivers during nighttime seizures.
• SmartWatch InspyrecoreTechnology or IntegrationSmartwatch that detects repetitive shaking motion and sends text and phone call alerts to designated family members with GPS location during seizure events.
• EmpaticacoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of Embrace2 wristwatch device that detects and alerts for tonic-clonic seizures after 20 seconds and monitors physical activity.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Epilepsy Foundation of America: Largest U.S. epilepsy advocacy organization operating a broad portfolio including awareness, research, and the SUDEP Institute; comparable to CHF in mission area but with national scale, professional staff, and a much broader program set than CHF's niche SUDEP/dog-grant focus.

Direct peers

• Danny Did Foundation: Chicago-based nonprofit focused specifically on SUDEP awareness and seizure-detection/monitoring devices, with a grant program for movement monitors and seizure-prediction technology; the most direct U.S. peer to CHF's SUDEP awareness and equipment-grant model.
• CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy): U.S. nonprofit focused on epilepsy research funding and SUDEP awareness, with similar donor-base composition and epilepsy-mission overlap; differs in being research-grant oriented rather than equipment/dog-grant oriented.
• Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies: U.S. nonprofit addressing epilepsy through ketogenic dietary therapies and family support; comparable in scale and family-driven advocacy model to CHF, though focused on treatment rather than monitoring/response equipment.
• 4 Paws for Ability: U.S. nonprofit that trains and places service dogs with children with disabilities including epilepsy; already a CHF partner, this is a directly comparable seizure-response dog provider operating at a much larger national scale.
• Canine Assistants: U.S. nonprofit that trains and places service dogs, including seizure-alert dogs, for individuals with disabilities; comparable as both a service-dog grant partner and a peer organization competing for the same donor pool.
• Paws with a Cause: U.S. nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs for people with disabilities, including seizure-response work; comparable as a partner alternative to the service-dog organizations in CHF's referral network.
• Little Angels Service Dogs: U.S. nonprofit providing trained service dogs for individuals with disabilities including seizure response; already a CHF partner, this organization is a direct comparable in the service-dog grant ecosystem.

Emerging players

• SUDEP Aware: Canada-based nonprofit focused specifically on SUDEP awareness and education for families and medical professionals; comparable niche focus to CHF but smaller scale and operating in a different geography.

Regional players

• Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado: State-level affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation serving Colorado, where CHF is based and most of its events operate; competes for the same regional donor base and corporate sponsors in CHF's home market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/chelseaslegacy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDXo8fuv-TFOneMxAzXMexw
• Facebookfacebook.com/thechelseahutchisonfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/chelseahutchisonfoundation
• Pinterestpinterest.com/chelseaslegacy/?eq=julie%20hut&etslf=6559
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chelsea-hutchison-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about the chelsea hutchison foundation