About Us
MISSION
“We grant dreams to critically and chronically ill children from the ages of three through eighteen.”
In 1980, The Dream Factory began with one all-volunteer chapter in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Since then, The Dream Factory has grown into the second-largest children’s wish-granting organization in the United States, granting over 25,000 dreams since its inception --all while maintaining a grassroots approach.
The Dream Factory continues to operate all 38 of its local chapters with over 5000 very dedicated volunteers. These hard-working individuals raise funds within their own communities and then use those funds to grant the dreams of local children. Because we do not employ people on a local level, 84% of all money raised by The Dream Factory is used directly to grant the dreams of critically and chronically ill children.
The Dream Factory is the only children’s wish-granting organization that does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illness. The organization believes children with chronic illnesses and disorders also suffer from substantial emotional and physical pain. We strive to provide hope and relief from the trauma and corresponding stress and depression that both the children and their families can endure on a day-to-day basis. Doctors agree that providing a dream can improve the quality of life for these children and extend the life of a critically ill child.
CORE VALUES
The Dream Factory operates under five core values. These values are:
Dedication - We will do everything in our power to create a positive, memorable experience for our dream recipients and their families.
Responsibility - We are committed to being an ethical, fiscally and socially responsible all-volunteer organization.
Empathy - We place the medical and personal needs of our dream children and their families above all else.
Attention - We are attentive to the desires of our dream children, their families, our volunteers, sponsors and donors.
Mission-Driven - We will fulfill our mission of granting dreams for critically and chronically ill children and are committed to working as a team and with mutual respect.
STEPS TO A DREAM
There are four steps to having a dream come true. Granting a dream is more than creating a moment of a lifetime. It serves as an opportunity of inspiration for children to continue with often times difficult medical treatments and gives them hope for a better tomorrow.
Step 1: Referral
Children aged 3 through 18 who are critically or chronically ill and have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a dream. Referrals can be made by the parents or guardians, the treating physician and, occasionally, the children themselves.
Step 2: Medical eligibility
To receive a dream, the child must be diagnosed with a critical or serious chronic illness. In each illness, there should be a clear quality of life issue that is present and verifiable by the child’s attending physician.
Step 3: Finding a dream
Dream Screeners are dedicated and compassionate volunteers who are tasked with finding out what children’s dreams are made of. The Dream Screener will see the child and through an interview process determine the dream that the child would like to see come true. Sometimes there are limitations due to the illness of the child as to what dream can take place. In this case, further discussions take place with the child and a dream that is appropriate and safe for that child’s physical abilities is granted.
Step 4: Creating lasting memories
Our Dream Team of volunteers roll up their sleeves and get to work making reservations, finding contacts for celebrities, sports figures and other famous people, finding gifts-in-kind and other volunteers. In essence, what ever it takes to make a dream come true that will provide a memorable and inspirational experience for the children and families alike.
MANAGING OUR FUNDS
The Dream Factory is very proud that the vast majority of money donated by individuals, foundations, and corporations is dedicated strictly to the granting of dreams for critically and chronically ill children.
We are able to accomplish this because all of our local chapters are run entirely by our over 5,000 dedicated volunteers who have helped fulfill more than 25,000 dreams since 1980. In fact, The Dream Factory employs only five staff members—three full-time and two part-time employees—all at the National Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. The dedication of our strong volunteer base was nationally recognized by the receipt of a Daily Point of Light award in 2005. Given our low overhead expense, 84% of our revenue goes directly toward granting dreams.
Our Annual Report and IRS 990’s are available in PDF format
Year |
IRS 990 | Annual Report |
| 2006 | 2006 IRS 990’s | 2006 Annual Report |
| 2005 | 2005 IRS 990’s | 2005 Annual Report |
| 2004 | 2004 IRS 990’s | 2004 Annual Report |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of The Dream Factory Inc, the parent organization, is responsible for providing direction and administrative oversight for the organization and its chapters, nationally. Annually, each chapter appoints an individual to serve as that group’s representative on the National Board of Directors for a one-year term. In addition, there is an 11 member National Executive Committee of the Board that oversees our National Headquarters.
The Board of Directors and Executive Committee members convene regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. In addition, a national convention and annual meeting are organized each year in a location convenient to our volunteers. This convention is generally hosted by one of the chapters, although every few years the meeting is held in Orlando, Florida so that the chapter representatives can meet with representatives of one of our affiliated organizations.
2007-2008
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
| President | Brian Juengling | Memphis Chapter |
| Vice President | Ralph Coldiron | T & K, Inc |
| Secretary | Vickie Weaver | CHC Employee Health Services |
| Treasurer | John J. Stafford, Jr | Louis T. Roth & Company |
| Legal Counsel | Marvin Coan | Hummel & Coan, Attorney’s at Law |
| Chapter Representative | Virginia Avery | York, Maine Chapter |
| Chapter Representative | Mike Whitworth | Central Missouri Chapter |
| Chapter Representative | Julie Riggs | Northwest Missouri Chapter |
| Member at Large | Jack Mitchell | Automotive Distributors International |
| Member at Large | Fred Williams | Portland, Maine Chapter |
| Chapter Member at Large | David Moore | Central New York Chapter |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michelle Henriques, The Dream Factory of Arizona
Julie Duncan, The Dream Factory of Florida
Cathie Seaburn, The Dream Factory of Georgia
Tracy Dirst, The Dream Factory of Central Illinois
Bart Mann, The Dream Factory of Southern Illinois
Greg Smith, The Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City
Vickie Weaver, The Dream Factory of Bowling Green
Gary Pettus, The Dream Factory of Hopkinsville
Carol Czirr Russell, The Dream Factory of Lexington
Dick Wilson, The Dream Factory of Louisville
Trey Davidson, The Dream Factory of Owensboro
Janice Harris, The Dream Factory of Paducah
Audrey Pierce, The Dream Factory of Louisiana
Steve Strout, The Dream Factory of Maine – Portland
Virginia Avery, The Dream Factory of Maine – York
Anne Winn, The Dream Factory of the Merrimack Valley
Lorna Biggers, The Dream Factory of Audrain County
Michelle Windmoeller, The Dream Factory of Central Missouri
Carole Olivarri, The Dream Factory of Lake of the Ozarks
Julie Riggs, The Dream Factory of Northwest Missouri
Linda Johnson, The Dream Factory of Sedalia
Jay Waldman, The Dream Factory of St. Louis
Bob Walther, The Dream Factory of New Hampshire
Robin Frey, The Dream Factory of Buffalo
Mary Kay LaLonde, The Dream Factory of Central New York
Laura Walitsky, The Dream Factory of Rochester
James Wagner, The Dream Factory of North Carolina
Pat Katz, The Dream Factory of Cincinnati
Randy Mack, The Dream Factory of Southern Ohio
Phil Rengal, The Dream Factory of Oregon
Jennifer Pfister, The Dream Factory of Pennsylvania
Jereme Miner, The Dream Factory of Clarksville
Beth Bell, The Dream Factory of Dyersburg
Rhonda Pierce, The Dream Factory of Memphis
Kelly Ledward, The Dream Factory of Utah
Matt Dougan, The Dream Factory of Iowa
Shane Anderson, The Dream Factory of Montana
Paul Hunnicutt, The Dream Factory of San Antonio