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BEAR NECESSITIES PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION

EIN 36-3874655 CHICAGO, IL

Browse the largest nonprofits in Illinois

Revenue 2024
$1,484,979
Expenses 2024
$1,512,406

Program services were 71.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
H30J
Classification
1000
Street
55 W WACKER DR STE 1100

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

Our mission is to eliminate pediatric cancer while providing hope and support to those who are touched by it. Our vision is a world without pediatric cancer.Forty-three children are diagnosed with cancer daily, and pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children. Even so, less than 4% of the total federal funding spent on cancer research is directed toward the treatment of children. These statistics are staggering. At Bear Necessities, we are dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer research to ultimately discover a cure, while continuing to help patients and their families today, bringing hope and joy to those in need. We couldn't continue this critical work without the unwavering support of our donors. Thank you for all you do.

Activities or mission (Part I)

Our mission is to provide unparalleled hope and support to those touched by pediatric cancer. Our vision is a world without these devastating diseases.

  • Bear Hugs:Bear Hugs are customized experiences or gifts to brighten the life of a child living with cancer. Bear Hugs are special moments in families' lives that offer a respite from the stressful and often frightening experiences that occur throughout a pediatric cancer journey. To make each Bear Hug special, we partner closely with families to design a Bear Hug that meets their unique needs and interests. In addition to bringing children joy, Bear Hugs often encourage play and physical activity, which can improve health outcomes according to many studies.

    Expenses $935,410 · Grants $15,000

  • Counseling:Through its partnership with SamarCare Counseling and Bridgepoint Psychology Center, Bear Necessities provides up to 12 free counseling sessions with a licensed clinical therapist for pediatric cancer patients and any member of their immediate family. There is no limit on how many members of a family we serve. Bear Necessities offsets the full cost of these sessions or whatever a family's health insurance does not cover. Individuals are eligible for this program for up to eight years after receiving a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

    Expenses $74,769

  • Scholarships:Thanks to a transformational investment from a board member, Bear Necessities launched a scholarship program in 2022 for pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and the siblings of someone who experienced pediatric cancer. The program is designed to ease the financial and emotional hardships associated with fighting pediatric cancer and to provide the opportunity for young people affected by pediatric cancer to pursue higher education from an accredited institution.

    Expenses $45,804

  • Bear DiscoveriesEach year, Bear Necessities commits to funding pediatric cancer research through our partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). By combining resources and partnering with transformative organizations like ALSF, Bear Necessities directly invests in the development of improved therapies, better outcomes, and ultimately, the realization of our vision to discover a cure for pediatric cancer.

    Expenses $24,735

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Kathleen Casey

    PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

    Total calculated
    $147,500
    From this org
    $147,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Claire Jolcover

    CO-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joy Larisey

    CO-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • James Herbison

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Barbara Hartman

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paula Hamric

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ajani Nimmagadda

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Andrea Caputo

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brianna Elsass

    TREASURER (Current)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Cheryl Grace

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Courtney Moore

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Craig Shirley

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Delnaz Vazifdar

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jeff Conrad

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jon Jelinek

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kenra Castelloni

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Pamela Mikulec

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rob Pellicano

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steph Sorensen

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Susan Hitch-Zint

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kate Tillotson

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $140,000
    From this org
    $140,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    45

  • Michelle Hanfling

    VP of Programs & Operations

    Total calculated
    $100,000
    From this org
    $100,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Courtney Krupa

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $100,000
    From this org
    $100,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $1,484,979
    Expenses
    $1,512,406
    Contributions
    $1,297,152
    Grants paid
    $15,000
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $1,297,950
    Expenses
    $1,459,087
    Contributions
    $1,069,180
    Grants paid
    $55,000
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $1,735,462
    Expenses
    $1,413,781
    Contributions
    $1,734,923
    Grants paid
    $35,000

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,700,490
    Expenses
    $1,491,073
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,315,118

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,301,560
    Expenses
    $1,134,321
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,288,465

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,470,033
    Expenses
    $1,717,512
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,123,822

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,958,290
    Expenses
    $1,815,174
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,310,866

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,889,260
    Expenses
    $1,914,328
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,184,168

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,042,336
    Expenses
    $1,954,424
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,448,763

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,774,725
    Expenses
    $1,774,951
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,320,309

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,501,070
    Expenses
    $1,640,081
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,484,385

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $1,600,434
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,614,026

  • 2011 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $1,656,300
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,913,182

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 1 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.