Your donation attempt encountered a problem. Please refresh the page to try again.
You're faster than our page! Give the page a little longer to finish loading and try your donation again.
www.bouncechildrensfoundation.org
255 BIRCHWOOD AVE
Deerfield IL 60015-4772
Deerfield IL | IRS ruling year: 2015 | EIN: 47-4495431
Organization Mission
TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN, AND THEIR LOVED ONES, SHIFTING ALL FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING.
Great
This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Bounce Childrens Foundation is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Bounce Childrens Foundation has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 11/11 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 11/11 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 45.87% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 45.87% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 75.39% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 75.39% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Bounce Childrens Foundation) or EIN (474495431) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Bounce Childrens Foundation reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Our revenue declined by 36% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we found ways to be able to operate with full programming once we pivoted to a virtual environment.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
When COVID-19 hit, we had to pivot all of our in-person Bounce Bash® and Bounce It Forward® events to fit a virtual format.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We realized the importance of sending our Bounce Back Kits® to families during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing fun, entertainment, and family bonding time into the homes of our Bounce families who couldn't leave their homes.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We intend to continue increasing the Bounce Back Kits® we send to families each year, as we realized that many of our Bounce families have to quarantine due to immunocompromised kiddos and treatments that require isolation from others--regardless of the status of the COVID-19 pandemic! Providing these kits allows for the families to bond and spend precious moments together having fun while isolating at home.
Not Currently Scored
Bounce Childrens Foundation cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
Bounce Childrens Foundation reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
BOUNCE BASH - FAMILY EVENTS, OUTINGS, AND ADVENTURES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS. BOUNCE KIDDOS, SIBLINGS AND PARENTS ALL COME TOGETHER AS AN ... (More)
BOUNCE BASH - FAMILY EVENTS, OUTINGS, AND ADVENTURES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS. BOUNCE KIDDOS, SIBLINGS AND PARENTS ALL COME TOGETHER AS AN EXTENDED "BOUNCE FAMILY". WHILE BOUNCE KIDDOS EXPERIENCE A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK FROM THEIR REALITY OF SCARY DOCTOR VISITS, PAINFUL THERAPIES, AND THE GRUELING SIDE-EFFECTS OF TREATMENT, BOUNCE SIBLINGS DISCOVER THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN THEIR JOURNEY, AND BOUNCE PARENTS CONNECT TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER. IN ADDITION TO DISTRACTION, FUN AND FRIENDSHIP, BOUNCE BASH EVENTS PROVIDE FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITIES TO FEEL SAFE, ACCEPTED, AND 'NORMAL' WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES TYPICALLY OFF-LIMITS TO BOUNCE MEMBERS.PRIOR TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND SHELTER AT HOME ORDERS, BOUNCE HOSTED A NUMBER OF HIGHLY ATTENDED AND WELL RECEIVED IN-PERSON EVENTS, INCLUDING: ICE SKATING, BOWLING, NEWLY RELEASED MOVIES AND LIVE THEATER EVENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HARRIS THEATRE AT CHICAGO'S MILLENNIUM PARK, AND A TRIP TO GOEBBERT'S PUMPKIN FARM. RAPIDLY RESPONDING TO A NEW WORLD ORDER, BOUNCE RE-INVENTED ITS BOUNCE BASH PROGRAM TO INCLUDE ZOOM BASED FAMILY ADVENTURES ALLOWING FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE FROM THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF THEIR HOMES. KEY VIRTUAL EVENTS INCLUDED: HALLOWEEN HOOPLA PARTY ALLOWING 'GHOSTS & GOBLINS' TO TRICK-OR-TREAT AND CELEBRATE; DISCO DANCE PARTY WHICH GOT FAMILIES MOVING & GROOVING VIA ZOOM; IMAX SUPERPOWER DOGS PRIVATE SCREENING & VIRTUAL MEET & GREET WITH THE LEAD DOG, HENRY. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
BOUNCE BACK KITS - THESE FUN-FILLED, CUSTOM-DESIGNED AND UNIQUELY THEMED CARE PACKAGES ARE SENT TO BOUNCE FAMILIES TO OFFSET THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME THEY SPEND 'LOCKED IN' AT HOME DUE TO THEIR C ... (More)
BOUNCE BACK KITS - THESE FUN-FILLED, CUSTOM-DESIGNED AND UNIQUELY THEMED CARE PACKAGES ARE SENT TO BOUNCE FAMILIES TO OFFSET THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME THEY SPEND 'LOCKED IN' AT HOME DUE TO THEIR CHILD'S MEDICAL CONDITION EVEN WITHOUT A PANDEMIC. THESE (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
BOUNCE IT FORWARD - NEVER KNOWING WHEN THE NEXT MEDICAL CRISIS WILL STRIKE, BOUNCE FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF PLANNING AHEAD. THEY MISS OUT ON ALL SORTS OF HIGH DEMAND ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING MA ... (More)
BOUNCE IT FORWARD - NEVER KNOWING WHEN THE NEXT MEDICAL CRISIS WILL STRIKE, BOUNCE FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF PLANNING AHEAD. THEY MISS OUT ON ALL SORTS OF HIGH DEMAND ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING MAJOR LEAGUE SPORTS; CONCERTS; THEATER; CULTURAL EXHIBITS; (Less)
Bounce Childrens Foundation has earned a 93% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - UnscoredConstituent Feedback - Data Available - Unscored
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. However, it did not respond to one or more survey questions, and therefore is not eligible for a score on this metric. (View our beacon methodology.) Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Chronically ill children and their families (parents/guardians and siblings).
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.)
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 93/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 93/100 pts
100% of beacon score
This organization's score of 93 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 8 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (3/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Bounce Childrens Foundation has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Bounce Children’s Foundation transforms the lives of chronically ill children, and their families, shifting all from surviving to thriving.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We envision the day when every chronically ill child, and his/her family in America is supported by Bounce Children’s Foundation.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Expand the number of Bounce families we serve in the Chicagoland area!
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Extend the geographic footprint of the organization to serve chronically ill children/families outside of the Chicagoland area!
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Raise the funds required to expand program capacity to support program expansion in all geographical areas.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Our CEO, Joan Steltmann, takes time weekly to meet with the team altogether and individually (2x/week) to check in, talk about personal and professional goals, and ask what team members may need from her, the organization, and co-workers to succeed. She encourages team members to have ownership over their own projects, while working collaboratively with others and asking for help when needed. She works with team members to create development plan to figure out where they want to be and how to get there. After losing a lot of people through COVID-19 (people moving back home and across the country), we discovered a positive--a more widespread reach of Bounce supporters/advocates across the country! Joan maintains relationships with everyone who has ever been a part of Bounce to keep them updated and give them opportunities to continue to support Bounce's mission.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Raising Awareness
Partnerships are a vital part of our success formula. We partner with various pediatric hospitals and healthcare organizations in the Chicagoland area to get new families introduced to Bounce. 46% of new Bounce families come through referrals from relationships with these hospitals and healthcare organizations. We partner with a variety of organizations to provide family fun and entertainment including movie theatres, bowling alleys, aquariums, theatres, cultural organizations, and other nonprofit organizations. We partner with larger corporations for program delivery, utilizing their expertise in products and services we need to run our organization effectively. Bounce is always looking for new partnerships and developing current relationships with other organizations that share our mission of serving chronically ill children and their families in the Chicagoland area.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Chronically ill children and their families were the first to shelter in place and the last to emerge from quarantine with the COVID-19 pandemic. Bounce kiddos are the definition of 'high risk'. When COVID-19 hit, we immediately pivoted our program platform to hold events and educational sessions online and amp up Bounce Back Kits® and conversation facilitation/peer support in Bounce Net®. We added extra Bounce Back Kits® to send to Bounce families during quarantine to give families fun family bonding activities and boredom busters. We created virtual programming for our Bounce Bash® and Bounce It Forward® events to keep families engaged, excited, and distracted from the world that felt like it was caving in on them. While we were all hunkered down at home, these virtual programs and our Bounce Net® online community were essential for families to connect with one another and feel less isolated in isolation.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
