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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: November 2025 Expires: November 2026

Friends Of Kids With Cancer

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

16 Sunnen Dr Ste 161
Saint Louis, MO, 63143

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Friends Of Kids With Cancer meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"To enrich the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood-related diseases. Its mission is to be an advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the recreational, educational and emotional support needed throughout the long hours of chemotherapy, illness and isolation."

Year, State Incorporated:
1992, MO

Friends of Kids with Cancer's programs are categorized by recreational, educational and emotional. Educational Programs encourage the kids to THINK positive. Emotional Programs provide creative outlets for the kids to FEEL confident. Recreational Programs give kids a reason to SMILE. All services and programs are suggested and/or requested by the medical staff at area treatment centers and are approved by the Service Committee and Board of Directors. A. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS: Educational Support Programs: 1. Educational and Motivational Assistance; high quality cost-free tutoring to enhance scholastic self-esteem for a successful return to school. 2. Educational Testing Program; Toxic chemotherapy treatments cause severe learning difficulties. Tests and assessments determine a baseline study for development and stability. 3. Scholarship Program: Awards 12-16 scholarships ranging from $3,500 to $4,500. B. EMOTIONAL PROGRAMS: 1. Art Therapy; provides a means of communication when words cannot suffice. 2. Psychological Services/Support Groups; These services help the patients and their families deal with the issues that weigh so heavily on their hearts and minds. 3. Play Therapy; Helps children systematically address and resolve their own problems through play that is best suited to their development level. C. RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS 1. Toy Closets/Toy Chests; Cornerstone of our organization which provides the "little fun things" that can make the devastation of cancer more bearable. 2. Entertainment at Treatment Centers; Computers, TV's video games, etc., are provided to distract the patients from the discomfort of the treatments. 3. Special Assistance; A $200 to $300 gift is provided once a year to all patients in active treatment as suggested by medical staff. 4. Relapse Fund. An additional gift to boost morale to children who unfortunately are experiencing a relapse of their cancer. 5. Parties and Events; Sponsors family parties for families to spend time together to bond outside of the treatment center. 6. Provide meals and snacks to treatment centers for families to enjoy while there. 7. Smile Makers; Provide some of the hottest tickets in town to families to give them a special "free" night out. 8. Memory Makers; Offers patients and families opportunity to spend unforgettable moments with each other at a time most needed.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Friends Of Kids With Cancer's program expenses were:

Programs $1,708,891
Total Program Expenses $1,708,891

Chief Executive
Brandy Bimslager, Executive Director

Compensation*
$121,922

Chair of the Board
Karen Korn

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Karen Korn Interiors

Board Size
25

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Grant proposals, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Friends Of Kids With Cancer's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions and Grants $1,209,723
Fundraising Events $1,121,609
Investment Gain $777,642
Donated Goods and Services $292,779
Total Income $3,401,753

Programs: 72% Fundraising: 16% Administrative: 12%

Total Income $3,401,753
Total expenses: $2,369,704
  Program expenses $1,708,891
  Fundraising expenses $371,932
  Administrative expenses $288,881
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,032,049
Beginning Net Assets $6,936,791
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $7,968,840
Total Liabilities $682,005
Total Assets $8,650,845

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB of Eastern & Southwest Missouri & Southern Illinois