Children's Cancer Fund of Dallas Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Pediatric Oncology Research Study Funding A Dallas-based nonprofit, Children's Cancer Fund is responsive to the needs of the pediatric oncology community and their cutting-edge research. We work closely with doctors and scientists at the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Health and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas to fund innovative research that has led to better treatments and outcomes for kids battling cancer. We provide seed funding in order to overcome roadblocks and fill gaps for promising research that doesn't yet qualify for federal funding. Not only does this funded research benefit pediatric oncology patients everywhere, it helps the local Dallas community by providing accessibility for research funds for top- tier talent in the oncology world. To date, CCF has funded over 100 pediatric oncology research projects associated with Children's Health and UT Southwestern. Supportive Program Services for Pediatric Oncology Patients A new cancer diagnosis and impending unknowns throws an entire family into crisis. Whether it's the young patient, siblings, or parents, there is much to consider in this life-and family-altering diagnosis. Adjusting to illness, coping with stressful treatments, and enduring long hospital stays are key components to a young patient's recovery rate and the entire family's illness experience. By investing in services such as pet therapy, social work, art therapy, music therapy, and child life services, trained professionals are able to come alongside patients and family members to promote growth and development through the expression of thoughts and emotions. Through key investments in these supportive programs, CCF funds the pediatric oncology Child Life Specialist position, has purchased a therapy dog, provided needed supplies for the inpatient pediatric oncology playroom, and more. Mental Health Initiative Children's Cancer Fund recognizes that treating the cancer disease process is just a part of whole-child health and wellness for this psychosocially at-risk group of young patients. Instituted in 2008, embedded psychology services in Children's Health's Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders have grown steadily as the number of patients seen in the center has increased. Treatment teams consisting of psychologists and clinical therapists work to employ developmentally informed treatment and interventions for this psychosocially unique group. Anxiety and depression have been of special focus, knowing that when associated with cancer diagnoses, these mental health diagnoses can hinder treatment adherence and overall patient health outcomes. Unfortunately, with many of the Center's patients being uninsured or underinsured, insurance reimbursement does not sufficiently cover the demands for these kinds of services, allowing Children's Cancer Fund to fill the gap for this life-altering support. Pediatric Oncology Medical Research Salaries Children's Cancer Fund's support supplements the faculty horsepower of Children's Health and UT Southwestern by funding positions for both a Master Physician and Junior Faculty in the pediatric oncology department. These positions allow for the expansion of both research and services to the growing Dallas-area pediatric oncology patient base that would not be possible without CCF's funding. Having medical top talent at Dallas' fingertips impacts both the present and future of pediatric oncology in the metroplex. Teen Milestone Program Teens diagnosed with cancer are a unique group of their own, benefitting from individualized strategies for treatment adherence and compliance. While younger children have long benefitted from the "toy closet," allowing them to pick out a toy when making it through a particularly stressful or painful treatment, the teenagers in similar situations had no comparable system. The Teen Milestone Program was instituted by CCF in 2023 at Children's Health, p

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 93.3%; rating input score 93
• Program expense ratio: 87.1%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $14.81 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 98.5%; rating input score 98; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -7%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.16; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.2; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.7%; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 18.4% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 13.5% per year; rating input score 100; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings