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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: September 2025 Expires: September 2027

Give Kids The World

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Accreditation seal
210 South Bass Road
Kissimmee, FL, 34746

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

Give Kids The World meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide children between the ages of three and 18 (inclusive) with critical illnesses and their families the cost-free opportunity to visit and experience various Central Florida attractions."

Year, State Incorporated:
1986, FL

Give Kids The World (GKTW) strives to create the happiness that inspires hope for families facing unimaginable challenges due to a child's critical illness. The organization has an 89-acre resort in Central Florida that coordinates wish vacation packages for children with critical illnesses and their families by providing resort accommodations, entertainment, and food service. GKTW works with local and national companies, community service organizations, and individuals to procure attraction tickets, transportation services, small gifts and volunteer time to carry out many of its activities.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, Give Kids The World's program expenses were:

Program activities: $68,522,552

Total Program Expenses: $68,522,552

Chief Executive
Caroline Schumacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$332,010

Chair of the Board
John Nichols

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Vice President, Field Sales, PepsiCo

Board Size
18

Paid Staff Size
195

*2024 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

 

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants, Print advertisements

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $65,228,147, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

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 Give Kids The World's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
In-kind contributions $42,650,453
Investment gains, net $7,276,649
Other revenue, net $760,220
Contributions $21,568,820
Interest and dividend income $1,762,760
Special events revenue, net $1,008,874
Total Income $75,027,776

Programs: 93% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 3%

Total Income $75,027,776
Total expenses: $73,942,092
  Program expenses $68,522,552
  Fundraising expenses $3,085,183
  Administrative expenses $2,334,357
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,085,684
Beginning Net Assets $126,702,322
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $127,794,677
Total Liabilities $2,373,650
Total Assets $130,168,327

Note: According to GKTW's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, the organization received in-kind contirbutions totaling $42,817,605 in the form of theme park attraction tickets, parking, and photos ($39,040,759), toys and family gifts ($1,600,809), other program in-kind gifts ($582,703), capital improvements for expansion and operations ($563,713), food and beverage ($489,530), family supplies ($233,856), fundraising related support ($202,878), and character visits ($103,357).

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 Wise Giving Alliance