Periwinkle Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule OPeriwinkle Camps, Arts, and Survivor programs positively change the lives of children, young adults, and families challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and are cared for at four Texas Children's Hospital locations including the Medical Center Houston, TX, Texas Children's Hosptial Katy, TX, Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, TX and the Vannie Cook Cancer Clinic in McAllen, TX (cancer clinic managed by Texas Children's Hospital).
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 11 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 656
- Highest pay
- $205,867, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 53% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2536 of 37 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
- $505,332 spent. The mission of the Periwinkle Arts in Medicine (PAIM) program at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center (TCH) is to provide enjoyable and educational art activities that give children, young adults, families, and caregivers affected by pediatric cancer and blood disorders the opportunity for self-expression, empowerment, and healing through the arts. Established in 1997, the Arts in Medicine program at TCH is integral to the Center's commitment to providing comprehensive care in a child-centered environment that meets patients' emotional, social, educational, and medical needs.See Schedule OThrough partnerships with more than 10 local artists and arts organizations, PAIM connects the community's vibrant arts scene with patients and their families who are enduring hours, if not days, weeks, or months of a grueling hospital routine to provide daily opportunities for art experiences in the outpatient clinic, the inpatient unit, and the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at bedside. Through expanded partnerships, PAIM has begun programming at all four TCH Centers in Texas: Houston Main Campus, Katy West Campus, The Woodlands Campus, and the Vannie Cook Children's Cancer Clinic in McAllen. The Periwinkle Arts in Medicine Program had 6,765 patient contacts in 2024.
- $519,903 spent. Camp Periwinkle - Since 1983, The Periwinkle Foundation, celebrating its 42nd Anniversary, has provided a week-long camp for children with cancer and blood disorders, as well as their siblings. Periwinkle brought 134 campers, ages 7 to 15, to Camp Periwinkle in 2024. Campers came from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Many would not have the means to attend a summer camp even if they were well. Periwinkle provides clothing, bedding, and toiletries for any camper in need. Sad faces turned bright in a week packed with a month's worth of amazing experiences. With the help of more than 86 enthusiastic volunteers, cancer was forgotten, children realized they were not alone in their circumstances, siblings felt loved, and parents had an entire week to address their emotional healing.
- $230,200 spent. Camp YOLO - In its 26th year, Camp YOLO (You Only Live Once) addresses the unique challenges faced by adolescents living with cancer, renal, cardiac, rheumatology, or HIV-related illnesses. While most teens worry about how many text messages they can send, teens with serious illnesses confront genuine life-and-death issues and seemingly unending hospital routines. For two weekends each year, these young people can rejuvenate with others who understand their struggles, anxieties, and fears. Campers learn teamwork and leadership skills, and by the end of a fun-packed and emotion-filled weekend, they leave knowing they are not alone and have what it takes to keep fighting their illness. Over 186 campers attended the April/September camp sessions, along with approximately 101 dedicated volunteers each session.
- $214,851 spent. Long-Term Survivor - In 2024, Periwinkle's Long-Term Survivor program featured a weekend retreat, providing opportunities for young adult survivors to come together, share experiences, learn life skills, and give back to the cancer community. It also included monthly socials for cancer survivors, providing emotional, social, and professional support. Over 114 survivors had encounters through these life-enhancing opportunities. Twenty-eight Long Term Survivors volunteered as camp counselors in 2024.Family Camp held in April/September for Houston Families and in November for families at the Vannie Cook Cancer Clinic in McAllen, TX, welcomed 27 families with a newly diagnosed child to get away from the hospital routine, forget about their child's illness, create cherished family memories and meet other families who understand the stresses they are experiencing due to a child's cancer diagnosis.Periwinkle Day Camp, an inner-city week-long camp for patients aged 7-12, welcomed 46 campers for a magical week of camp in the city. This program enables campers who may not be able to participate in our overnight camps due to medical needs to have an incredible camping experience.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
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