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THE BRAVE WILL FOUNDATION
BALLSTON LAKE, NY · EIN 264495032 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE E86 · Health Care · Micro (<$100K) · bravewill.org
revenue
$6K
expenses
$7K
net assets
$123K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

TO PROVIDE CHARITABLE SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES UNTIL A CURE CAN BE FOUND.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Brave Will Foundation supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families in the Greater Capital Region of New York. Founded in memory of Willem "Will" Hladun, who died at seven months from a rare cancer, the foundation focuses on palliative care and emotional support rather than medical research. It funds programs that honor children's legacies and provide comfort during end-of-life care.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Brave Will Room
A dedicated inpatient pediatric palliative care suite at the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, funded with a $100,000 commitment from the foundation. Offers private space for hospice care, diagnosis discussions, and first treatments.
Journeys Program Support
Annual financial support for the Journeys pediatric palliative care program at Albany Medical Center, covering non-insured "soft medicine" services such as psychosocial and spiritual support for children and families.
SOAR
Provides grants of up to $714 to families in the Greater Capital Region who have lost a child, allowing them to honor their child’s memory on a meaningful date. The amount references July 14, Will’s birthday.
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Granting Wishes to Seriously Ill Children 1 activity
    • Funding memorial and remembrance programs for families
      Provides financial support of up to $714 to families to create a meaningful day in memory of their child and operates the SOAR program, which supports families in honoring their child on the anniversary of their passing.
  • Pediatric Medical Care and Research Support 1 activity
    • Funding pediatric palliative care infrastructure and programs
      Provides grants to support pediatric palliative care initiatives, including an annual donation to the Journeys program at Albany Medical Center Children’s Hospital and a $100,000 commitment in 2013 that helped establish the inpatient pediatric palliative care suite, which opened in 2015.
  • Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
    • Pediatric palliative care support for children and families
      Provides pediatric palliative care services and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families in the Greater Capital Region of New York, including during end-of-life when cure is no longer an option. Offers ongoing support through programs such as the hospice suite at Albany Medical Center Children’s Hospital, where it supplies linens, decor, and meals for families.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6K
Contributions & grants$6K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$7K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$123K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$123K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -47.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 2
  • HELENE VERDILE — DIRECTOR
  • MIKE VERDILE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 5

Who they work with

  • Albany Medical Center Partner — Healthcare institution whose staff provided supportive care during Will's final week, serving as a model for the foundation's mission.
  • Albany Medical Center Children’s Hospital Partner — Financially supports the Journeys pediatric palliative care program at the hospital.
  • Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center Partner — Partnered to create and support the Brave Will Room, an inpatient pediatric palliative care suite.
  • National Museum of Dance Partner — Hosted the Brave Will Foundation's 10th Anniversary Gala.
  • foundation@bravewill.org Partner — Email address for obtaining SOAR program application form
strategies · 3

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.

  • Family-Centered Palliative Care Environment
    methodology: family-centered_palliative_care
    By creating a dedicated, private, and dignified space for families during critical medical moments, the organization enhances emotional and decision-making capacity, because a supportive, non-clinical environment reduces trauma and centers family needs during pediatric palliative care.
  • Family-Led Meaning-Making in Grief
    methodology: family-led_memorialization
    By supporting families to create personalized, self-determined memorials and grief practices, the organization fosters healing, because the act of meaning-making led by the family is believed to be central to post-loss recovery.
  • Hope-Centered Care Model
    methodology: hope-centered_care
    By integrating hope as a foundational element of care, the organization sustains emotional resilience in children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, because hope is understood to be a clinically meaningful force that supports well-being in the absence of cure.