dossier ↑ parent activity group ·

research dossier

OLVIA'S BEARS

NORTH TONAWANDA, NY · EIN 843058333 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Z99 · Unknown · Micro (<$100K)

revenue

$81K

expenses

$98K

net assets

$27K

employees

program ratio

100%

mission · from form 990

OLIVIA'S BEARS IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, CREATED BY OLIVIA GONYEA AND HER FAMILY IN 2009. OLIVIA WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EWINGS SARCOMA, A FORM OF BONE CANCER, IN 2009 AT THE AGE OF EIGHT. AS OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2010, OLIVIA HAS BEEN CANCER-FREE. BEFORE OLIVIA'S TREATMENT ENDED, SHE WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO START GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. TOUCHED BY THE GIFT OF A BUILD- A-BEAR THAT SHE RECEIVED BEFORE GOING INTO ONE OF HER SURGERIES, SHE DECIDED SHE WANTED TO START DELIVERING BEARS TO OTHER CHILDREN RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. WITH THE HELP OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY, OLIVIA'S BEARS STARTED WITH A SMALL DELIVERY OF 20 BEARS. NOW 14 YEARS LATER, OVER A THOUSAND BEARS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO CHILDREN AND THEIR SIBLINGS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Olvia's Bears is a nonprofit founded by Olivia Gonyea and her family in 2009 after Olivia's cancer diagnosis. Inspired by a Build-A-Bear gift received during treatment, the organization delivers stuffed bears to children undergoing medical care. It also supports teens through scholarships and funds wellness spaces in children's hospitals.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

#1 primary $2K

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO LOCAL TEENS.
#2 $53K

INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDING OF A TEEN LOUNGE AT JOHN R. OISHEI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Bear Delivery Program

Delivers stuffed bears to children receiving medical treatment at children's hospitals, starting with local deliveries in New York

Scholarships for Local Teens

Provides scholarships to local teenagers, supporting education and community engagement

Teen Lounge at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital

Funded the development of a dedicated lounge space for teens undergoing treatment, promoting comfort and emotional well-being

activities · 3 groups

What they do

Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Award scholarships to local teens
  
  Provides financial scholarships to local teens, supporting educational or personal development goals.
Therapeutic Comfort Kits and Room Makeovers 1 activity
- Distribute comfort bears to children in hospitals
  
  Delivered over a thousand bears to children and their siblings receiving medical treatment at children's hospitals.
Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
- Fund and support construction of teen lounge at children's hospital
  
  Funded and supported the development of a dedicated teen lounge at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital to improve comfort and well-being for adolescent patients and their families.

financials · form 990 · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$81K

Contributions & grants$63K78%

Program service revenue$00%

Investment income$00%

Other revenue$18K

expenses

Total expenses$98K

Program expenses100%

Admin / overhead0%

Fundraising0%

Salaries & benefits$0

Grants paid out$0

Largest expense lineOther

balance sheet

Total assets$27K

Cash$27K

Investments$0

Liabilities$0

Net assets$27K

Liquid reserves3.4 mo

2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +67.6%

relationships · 1

Who they work with

John R. Oishei Children's Hospital Partner — Collaborated on the development and funding of a teen lounge.

strategies · 1

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Comfort Through Play

methodology: comfort-through-play
By delivering stuffed bears to children undergoing medical treatment, we reduce anxiety and provide emotional comfort during clinical experiences, because tactile and familiar objects serve as coping mechanisms in stressful medical environments.