Mission: The Children's Dream Fund was founded in 1981 with the single purpose of fulfilling dreams for children ages 3-21 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, and who live in West Central Florida. Dreams are referred to us by doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social workers, friends, families and other patients.
Dreams vary as much as the personalities of the children we serve. They may involve meeting a celebrity, a trip, or a gift such as a computer or playground, or our most-requested dream, a week at the Give Kids the World Village, which enables a child to visit all of the Disney-area theme parks. No dream has been refused, except those involving motorized vehicles and firearms.
The Children's Dream Fund is not affiliated with a national organization. We do not telemarket to raise funds. Since its inception in 1981, the Children's Dream Fund has made dreams come true for over 3,500 children. According to our most recent audited financial report, over 82% of every dollar raised goes directly to granting dreams. Over 50% of all dream costs are covered by in-kind donations.
The Children's Dream Fund has a Four-Star rating by Charity Navigator, and all funds raised stay in our community. The Children's Dream Fund strictly adheres to the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Donor Bill of Rights.
Every child deserves a dream and our goal is to continue to make those dreams come true.
Results: Since 1981, we have granted dreams to over 3,500 children battling life threatening illnesses.
Target demographics: Bring the joy of a dream-come-true to children battling life-threatening illnesses
Direct beneficiaries per year: 161 seriously-ill children
Geographic areas served: West Central Florida
Programs: The children's dream fund entered its 40th year of making dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses living throughout west central Florida. With a small staff and some key volunteers, the Children's Dream Fund has made dreams come true for 3,500 children. Ages served are 3- 21, with exceptions made based on physicians' recommendations. The Children's Dream Fund's policy is to never deny a child a dream-come-true, and to provide age-appropriate dreams in a timely manner. Dreams include the entire family, and the goal is to make the experience stress-free and filled with memories. Each child works with a dream coordinator to plan the dream which could be a trip, cruise, celebrity meeting, shopping trip, or a tangible item like a computer, musical instrument, or bedroom makeover. In addition to fulfilling every child's dream, stewardship of the funds donated to support the dream program is of utmost importance. The organization puts a great value on inkind donations, and approximately one-half of dream expenses are inkind. The Children's Dream Fund has again earned a four-star rating by charity navigator.
