Giving Back: The Sunshine Kids Foundation

BJT readers—who represent one of the highest-net-worth magazine audiences anywhere—clearly have the means to contribute to a better world. To help you do that, we’re spotlighting one -deserving organization per issue. All of them have received a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), which evaluates philanthropic institutions based on their finances, accountability and transparency.

The Sunshine Kids Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for children living with cancer by providing group activities that promote self-esteem, personal accomplishment, and—perhaps most important—fun. Since the charity’s inception in 1982, thousands of children in hospitals across the U.S. have benefited from its free programs. 

The foundation tailors activities to the needs of patients in all stages of care. For example, it provides arts and crafts and circus parties inside the hospital for children facing long stays; and it offers a full schedule of regional and national events that include movie premieres, pirate cruises, and weeklong trips to places like Disney World and Hawaii. 

Sunshine Kids’ hope is that eradication of childhood cancer will someday make its work obsolete. But until then, it is committed to helping children with cancer “do what kids are supposed to do…have fun and celebrate life.” 

sunshinekids.org