2026-02-17T15:21:19-06:00 2025-06-30 363321958 DESMOND & AHERN LTD 10827 S WESTERN AVENUE CHICAGO IL 606433206 990 2024-07-01 363874655 Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation BEAR 3122141200 55 W Wacker Dr 1100 Chicago IL 60601 Alicia Vega CEO 3122141200 2026-02-17 1 1 Mel Padillo P03172019 7737794720 2026-02-17 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Alicia Vega 55 W Wacker Dr 1100 Chicago IL 60601 2318436 0 X www.bearnecessities.org X 1993 IL Our mission is to provide unparalleled hope and support to those touched by pediatric cancer. Our vision is a world without these devastating diseases. 18 17 6 54 0 0 1069180 1297152 0 0 90 52447 228680 135380 1297950 1484979 55000 15000 0 0 650487 617410 0 0 253551 753600 879996 1459087 1512406 -161137 -27427 2401640 2378698 257624 244951 2144016 2133747 X 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. 0 0 935410 15000 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. 74769 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. 45804 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. 24735 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. 24735 1080718 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 IL X X Beth Ulbrich 8476498826 55 W Wacker Dr Suite 1100 Chicago IL 60601 KATHLEEN CASEY PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER 40.00 X X 147500 0 0 CLAIRE JOLCOVER CO-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOY LARISEY CO-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JAMES HERBISON VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 BARBARA HARTMAN SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PAULA HAMRIC TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 AJANI NIMMAGADDA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA CAPUTO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIANNA ELSASS TREASURER (Current) 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHERYL GRACE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 COURTNEY MOORE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CRAIG SHIRLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DELNAZ VAZIFDAR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF CONRAD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JON JELINEK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KENRA CASTELLONI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAMELA MIKULEC DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROB PELLICANO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEPH SORENSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN HITCH-ZINT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATE TILLOTSON CEO 45.00 X 140000 0 0 Michelle Hanfling VP of Programs & Operations 40.00 X 100000 0 0 COURTNEY KRUPA VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 X 100000 0 0 487500 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 371836 925316 208874 1297152 47079 47079 529629 524261 5368 5368 5368 444576 371836 309196 135380 135380 1484979 0 0 187827 15000 15000 420371 269012 31934 119425 132525 84794 10082 37649 783 503 57 223 24155 15463 1830 6862 39576 25333 2999 11244 79633 2747 59425 17461 6495 6495 33947 1171 25332 7444 98 98 20593 13182 1561 5850 19140 6699 1451 10990 73187 46847 5548 20792 482 482 5805 3716 440 1649 38467 24623 2916 10928 2624 2624 Program Supplies 564873 564873 Bank & Merchant Fees 13318 13318 Bad Debt 10750 10750 Dues & Subscriptions 10334 6615 783 2936 250 140 110 1512406 1080718 178137 253551 468099 449193 9958 223552 226014 199586 11142 11142 15517 18089 1509598 658087 889978 851511 780932 625625 2401640 2378698 53354 115626 43568 25342 160702 103983 257624 244951 X 1938756 2033974 205260 99773 2144016 2133747 2401640 2378698 -27427 17158 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1285207 1626027 1734923 1069180 1297152 7012489 1285207 1626027 1734923 1069180 1297152 7012489 513528 6498961 11215 18235 30 90 52447 82017 51675 51675 509 15085 15594 7161775 1057625 0.90750 0.90450 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1326101 544237 781864 174119 104472 69647 8752 8752 0 626 626 0 851511 X 1495642 17158 17158 1478484 6495 6495 1484979 1505911 0 1505911 6495 6495 1512406 Part X, Line 2: FIN 48 Note from Audited Financial Statement: The Foundation was granted an exemption from federal income taxes by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation qualifies for the charitable contribution deduction under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and has been classified as a Foundation that is not a private foundation under Section 509(a)(1). The tax-exempt purpose of the Foundation and the nature in which it operates is described above. Management believes the Foundation continues to operate in compliance with its tax-exempt purpose. The Foundation's annual information and income tax returns filed with the federal and state governments are subject to examination by the IRS, generally for three years after they were filed. The Foundation has adopted the requirements for accounting for uncertain tax positions and management has determined that it was not required to record a liability related to uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2025. Bear Tie Ball 401819 247500 154319 10662 92812 6575 91576 Golf for the Bear 126491 70429 56062 3016 19266 20000 4498 3 288102 53907 234195 15048 45763 816412 371836 444576 3016 29928 127860 6575 141837 309216 135360 0 HOPE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 3 15000 X Miscellaneous items under 20K 730 128684 FMV X Langham Chicago Hotel Stays 25 41600 FMV X Circus Vazquez 553 38590 FMV 0 0 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 2 KATHLEEN CASEY AND COURTNEY KRUPA HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The finance committee reviews the 990 which is prepared by an outside accounting firm. The final version of the 990 is sent to all board members prior to the filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c Board members are required to disclose any potential conflicts on an annual basis, no conflicts have arisen to date. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The finance committee and the governance committee of the board of directors, of Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, jointly determine the compensation of the CEO/President of the organization. All members of these two committees are free of conflicts of interest and the group consists of a number of accomplished business leaders who are quite capable of independently determining compensation, for the organization's senior official(s). They use a number of factors in order to determine compensation: (1) their understanding of relevant compensation programs in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, (2) compensation surveys for nonprofit executives managing similar sized organizations provided by the industry employment and benefits consultants and (3) evaluation and performance metrics to judge the performance of the foundation. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 18 Forms are available upon request. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The organization makes its governing documents, conflicts of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request. Form 990, Part XII, line 2c: The process has not changed from the prior year.