Bounce Childrens Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To transform the lives of chronically ill children, and their loved ones, shifting all from surviving to thriving.
- Income
- $880,775
- Spending
- $635,780
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $142,379, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (6)
- $226,360 spent. BOUNCE BASH FAMILY ADVENTURES - FAMILY EVENTS, OUTINGS, AND ADVENTURES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS. BOUNCE KIDDOS, SIBLINGS AND PARENTS ALL COME TOGETHER AS AN EXTENDED "BOUNCE FAMILY". WHILE BOUNCE KIDDOS EXPERIENCE A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK FROM THEIR REALITY OF SCARY DOCTOR VISITS, PAINFUL THERAPIES, AND THE GRUELING SIDE-EFFECTS OF TREATMENT, BOUNCE SIBLINGS DISCOVER THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN THEIR JOURNEY, AND BOUNCE PARENTS CONNECT TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER. IN ADDITION TO DISTRACTION, FUN, AND FRIENDSHIP, BOUNCE BASH EVENTS PROVIDE FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITIES TO FEEL SAFE, ACCEPTED, AND 'NORMAL' WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES TYPICALLY OFF-LIMITS TO FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN. BOUNCE IS PROUD TO REPORT THAT 30 BOUNCE BASH ADVENTURES WERE OFFERED IN FY24-25, EXCEEDING THE ANNUAL TARGET BY 25%. EVENTS INCLUDED A PRIVATE TRIP TO CYPRESS COVE WATERPARK, CHICAGO BEARS FAMILY TRAINING CAMP, A CHICAGO WHITE SOX GAME, CONCERTS AT RAVINIA FESTIVAL, THEATRE PREFORMANCES AT HARRIS THEATRE AND MARRIOTT THEATRE, A HALLOWEEN PARTY COMPLETE WITH INDOOR TRICK-OR-TREATING, PRIVATE MOVIE SCREENINGS, BOTH INDOOR AND DRIVE-IN, GOEBBERT'S PUMPKIN PATCH, PRIVATE BOWLING, ICE SKATING AND ROLLER-SKATING PARTIES, AND MORE. 99% OF BOUNCE FAMILIES REPORTED BEING SATISFIED/VERY SATISFIED WITH BOUNCE BASH PROGRAMMING.
- $98,155 spent. BOUNCE BACK KIT FAMILY CARE PACKAGES - THESE FUN-FILLED, CUSTOM-DESIGNED, AND UNIQUELY THEMED CARE PACKAGES ARE SENT TO BOUNCE FAMILIES TO OFFSET THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME THEY SPEND LOCKED IN AT HOME DUE TO THEIR CHILD'S MEDICAL CONDITION. THESE "BOREDOM BUSTERS" TYPICALLY RECOGNIZE HOLIDAYS/IMPORTANT MILESTONES AND INCLUDE FUN AND DISTRACTING ITEMS SUCH AS: GAMES; BOOKS; VIDEOS; ARTS & CRAFTS; STEM PROJECTS; GIFT CARDS; "KITCHEN KRAFTS" - AND MORE. BOOSTING SPIRITS FOR ALL, THEY PROVIDE JOY AND RESILIENCE BUILDING "INSPIRATION-IN-A-BOX" FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. BECAUSE BOUNCE FAMILIES ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO JOIN LOVED ONES TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN TRADITIONAL WAYS, BOUNCE BACK KIT CARE PACKAGES ARE CURATED TO BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER TO ENJOY ONE ANOTHER'S COMPANY. FY24-25 BOUNCE BACK KITS INCLUDED: NATIONAL KIDS TAKE OVER THE KITCHEN DAY AND SAINT PATRICK'S DAY. IN THE FALL, A RECORD 458 BOXES STUFFED FULL OF ACTIVITIES TO HELP KIDDOS AND SIBLINGS GET MORE COMFORTABLE AND SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KITCHEN WERE SENT TO ALL BOUNCE FAMILIES. ENABLING KIDS TO BE MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT REDUCES THE LOAD ON PARENTS AND OVERALL FAMILY STRESS. IN THE SPRING, 485 BOXES, ANOTHER NEW RECORD, STUFFED FULL OF ALL THINGS GREEN AND IRISH WAS SENT TO EVERY SINGLE BOUNCE FAMILY. 92% OF BOUNCE FAMILIES REPORTED BEING SATISFIED/VERY SATISFIED WITH THE BOUNCE BACK KIT FAMILY CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM THIS YEAR.
- $29,565 spent. BOUNCE IT FORWARD SURPRISE OUTINGS- NEVER KNOWING WHEN THE NEXT MEDICAL CRISIS WILL STRIKE, BOUNCE FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF PLANNING AHEAD. THEY MISS OUT ON ALL SORTS OF HIGH DEMAND ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: MAJOR LEAGUE SPORTS, CONCERTS, THEATER PRODUCTIONS, CULTURAL EXHIBITS, SPECIAL EVENTS, HOLIDAY SHOWS/EXHIBITS, AND OTHER UNIQUE PRODUCTIONS. TAPPING INTO A NETWORK OF GENEROUS INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS WHO PAY-IT-FORWARD BY DONATING EXCESS TICKETS, BOUNCE MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THESE FUN AND OTHERWISE INACCESSIBLE EVENTS. BOUNCE IT FORWARD OUTINGS PROVIDE UNEXPECTED MOMENTS OF FUN AND CREATE AMAZING MEMORIES. THEY RESTORE OPTIMISM AND LIFT THE SPIRITS OF FAMILIES EXPERIENCING THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF FREQUENT MEDICAL INTERVENTION. 99 TICKETS WERE PROVIDED FOR EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS, BASEBALL GAMES, FOOTBALL GAMES, HOCKEY GAMES, HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOWS, LIVE THEATRE PERFORMANCES.
- $12,562 spent. BOUNCE ACADEMY WORKSHOPS- EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO COPE FINANCIALLY, INTELLECTUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY - ALL WHILE THEIR CHILDREN ARE CLOSE BY. SUPERVISED, SAFE, AND ENTERTAINED, BOUNCE KIDDOS AND SIBLINGS PARTAKE IN FUN ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE COPING AND FOSTER RESILIENCY. THIS ELIMINATES ONE OF THE KEY BARRIERS TO PARENTAL PARTICIPATION AS APPROPRIATE CHILDCARE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS. EDUCATION TOPICS ARE SELECTED BASED ON DIRECT INPUT FROM PARENTS/CAREGIVERS AND FEATURE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS FOR EACH TOPIC.
- $49,409 spent. BOUNCE NET PRIVATE PARENT NETWORK- A PRIVATE AND SAFE ONLINE PLATFORM FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS TO FORM A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY OF SHARED SUPPORT. PARENTS/CAREGIVERS SHARE RESOURCES, COMPARE NOTES, AND BOLSTER ONE ANOTHER WHENEVER AND WHEREVER NEEDED. THIS VIRTUAL SAFETY NET IS AVAILABLE 24/7/365 ENSURING IT'S THERE WHEN PARENTS/CAREGIVERS NEED IT MOST. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND CONNECTION TO FELLOW MEMBERS BOUNCE NET PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR ANNOUNCING BOUNCE IT FORWARD TICKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FEATURES REPLAYS OF BOUNCE ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS. MEMBERSHIP GREW BY 44 ADDITIONAL FAMILIES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.
- $27,265 spent. BOUNCE CARDS - BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR EACH MEMBER OF BOUNCE, INCLUDING KIDDOS, SIBLINGS, AND PARENTS WERE SENT THROUGHOUTH THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEERS CREATED AND HAND SIGNED CARDS AT TOAL OF 1,871 CARDS, ONE FOR EACH BOUNCE FAMILY TO CELEBRATE BACK TO SCHOOL, THANKSGIVING, HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND VALENTINE'S DAY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2023 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2023.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Boston Childrens Heart Foundation (Boston, MA), EIN 04-2790699. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.