Form 990 for tax year 2024

Totals

Total revenue

$1,648,669

Total expenses

$2,058,691

Contributions and grants received

$1,408,263

Grants paid

$741,702

Program service revenue

$0

Investment income

$4,656

Other revenue

$235,750

Total assets, end of year

$1,819,346

Total liabilities, end of year

$105,192

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$1,714,154

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$1,717,588

Management and general expenses

$164,473

Fundraising expenses

$176,630

Program service expenses (Part III)

$1,717,588

Program services were 83.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2024

• 2024 PROGRAM STATS1. In 2024, TBCF served a total of 186 families, 807 individuals with all our programs.2. In 2024, TBCF served a total of 88 families, 373 individuals with our Financial Stability programs.3. In 2024, TBCF served a total of 11 families, 71 individuals with our Educational Advocacy programs.4. In 2024, TBCF served a total of 174 families, 761 individuals, with our Emotional Support programs.Context for Lower Numbers in 2024 In reviewing the differences between 2023 and 2024, several key factors contributed to the lower overall numbers in 2024 compared to the previous year. Transition to In-Person Events: In 2023, TBCF provided Care Baskets for Mother's Day and Father's Day, which allowed us to reach a broader number of families. This approach was flexible and inclusive, as it did not require in-person participation. In 2024, we shifted to in-person events, including Mothers Spa Day and Fathers BBQ Day. While these events created meaningful experiences for families, they were limited in capacity, reducing the overall number of families we could invite and serve. Changes in Holiday Toy Distribution: In 2023, we partnered with VCMC to provide toys for their Holiday Party, which gave us a list of approximately 20 families to serve. This partnership added to our reach and helped boost our emotional support program numbers. In 2024, VCMC did not require toys for their holiday party, which reduced the number of families we could engage during the holiday season. Careful Review of Partnering Hospital Outreach: Historically, any extra toys from our holiday programs were distributed to partnering hospitals, further increasing the number of families served. After careful review in 2024, we recognized that some of these families were hematology families, which increased our overall numbers in prior years. Adjustments were made to ensure we served pediatric families of children with cancer moving forward. FINANCIAL STABILITY PROGRAMIN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS), STARFISH CONNECTION and KAIND.1. With the support of $30,000 from ACS, we were able to provide 63 one-way rides to 11 families in transportation funds and 104 nights to 13 families in lodging funds.2. Through our partnership with Starfish Connection, we supported 10 families with bill payments, food assistance, and essential living needs.3. Through a meaningful partnership, KaIND Giving & RAKlife contributed $2,500 to our Bear Necessities program to specifically assist with transportation needs for Ventura County families with a child in cancer treatment. In addition to their funding, they committed to volunteering, activating community-wide support, and raising awareness for these families. This support ensured that families could get to and from treatment without the added stress of transportation costs.4. Overall, we were able to serve 53 families, 218 individuals with our Bear Necessities program.EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM1. In 2024, we served 7 families with tutoring in partnership with Grade Potential tutoring agency.EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM1. FAMILY COUNSELING GROUPS:A. We served 56 families, 244 individuals with our virtual family counseling groups (English Parent, Spanish Parent, Teen, and Kids).2. INDIVIDUAL & COUPLES COUNSELING W/ FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY (FSA)A. In partnership with FSA to provide individual and couples counseling to our families, we were able to provide 80 sessions of counseling to 7 families.3. FAMILY CONNECTION EVENTSWe fully reinstated in-person Family Connection Events for the first time since 2019 and added new ones. A total of 76 families and 339 individuals participated.We participated in our 2nd childrens fiesta parade in Santa Barbara. We invited a few of our families to join our team to participate in the parade. Santa Barbara trolley company once again was able to kindly donate surreys.A.Teen Event at Santa Barbara Salt Cave: We participated in our first Family Connection Event of the year for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation teens and young adults at Santa Barbara Salt Cave. This event held space for the teens and young adults to relax, connect with one another on a deeper level through meditation and a sound bath followed by iced teas at Buena Onda to debrief before going back to our familiesB.Surf Day Santa Barbara: In partnership with Surf Happens Foundation we celebrated our 17th Annual Family Surf Day, with over 35 attendees.C.Family Fun Day at Stow Grove Park: We hosted our first Family Fun Day since 2019. With over 25 families, 113 individuals participated and were able to connect with each other. D.Mothers Spa Day: We relaunched Mother Spa Day at Amari Salon. This beloved TBCF event, part of our Care for the Caregivers program, had been on hold since 2020, and we were thrilled to bring it back this year. It was a small yet successful event, thanks to the many community collaborators and service providers in the beauty industry who donated their time and talents. All Teddy Bear moms received three beauty services of their choice, free of charge. We provided food and beverages, flower bouquets, and goodie bags. Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation moms had the opportunity to relax and connect with other women who are on a similar journey.E.In-person Holiday Party: After five years, we hosted a festive Holiday Party thanks to donations from Elks Lodge, Jordanos, Mission Linens, Rudys Mexican Restaurant and the generosity of volunteers. Over 200 individuals attended the event. F.Papa Bear Day: We celebrated our first Fathers event in many years, hosted at Oceanview Farms in Carpinteria by a wonderful supporter who owns the venue. Over 9 fathers attended, and special thanks go to alumni parent Michael Georges for providing the food. We also appreciate Board Chair and TBCF parent Andrew Miller for joining us and making the fathers feel welcomed.G.Surf Day San Luis Obispo: In partnership with Surfing for Hope, we hosted our inaugural Family Fun Day in San Luis Obispo County, which was attended by 23 individuals. Cool Cat Caf generously donated burgers to everyone at the event.H.Childrens Fiesta Parade: Families joined our team in the Santa Barbara Childrens Fiesta Parade, with surreys kindly donated by the Santa Barbara Trolley Company.I.Sprinkle Events (Externally Hosted Opportunities): Throughout the year, various community organizations, businesses, and donors generously offer opportunities for the families we serve to participate in events and experiences not directly organized by Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. We lovingly refer to these as Sprinkle Events, they are special moments sprinkled throughout the year that bring joy, connection, and a break from the routine of treatment.TBCFs role is to coordinate with these partners, identify eligible families, and extend invitations based on the opportunities provided. Whether its sporting events, creative workshops, or cultural outings, these experiences allow families to make lasting memories and feel the support of a broader, caring community.a.LAFC Kick Childhood Cancer Game in Partnership with American Cancer SocietyIn collaboration with the American Cancer Society, the Ventura County Football Club invited our Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation families to a special soccer game at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. TBCF children and their siblings had the exciting opportunity to serve as pal players and ball retrievers during the match. Six families participated in this meaningful event, which fostered a sense of community and joy for both the children and their families as they enjoyed a day of fun and camaraderie.b.UCSB Womens Soccer: UCSB Womens Soccer invited our families to attend their match against UC San Diego, which was dedicated to Pediatric Cancer Awareness.c.UCSB Volleyball: The UCSB women's volleyball team graciously invited our families to attend their match against Stanford at the UCSB Thunderdome. Families joined us for the game and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with one another while cheering on the team. Events like these, help provide families with a much-needed break from medical routines and offer them a chance to create positive memories together.d.Yellowbird Music Ukulele Lessons: In partnership with Yellowbird Music, TBCF children received private and group ukulele lessons throughout the year. The program ended in a heartwarming performance at our Teddy Bear Picnic, where the children showcased their new skills. A beautiful video of the experience was created by filmmaker Matthew Donner and his team, capturing the joy and growth of the participants.e.Santa Barbara Film Festival: One of our community partners, Surf Happens Foundation, reached out to us to offer our families the opportunity to attend a film screening at the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival free of charge. This was a wonderful opportunity for our kids and families to be part of a movie screening and film festival.f.ME Sabor Dance Lessons: ME Sabor Dance Studio prov

  Expenses $1,717,588 · Grants $741,702

As filed on the 2024 return.

Listed in Part VII

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2024

Filed

29 October 2025

IRS schema version

2024v5.2

Source object

202543029349302359

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