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SOUL RYEDERS INC
RYE, NY · EIN 473803900 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE G12 · Voluntary Health Associations · Small ($100K-$1M) · soulryeders.org
revenue
$566K
expenses
$594K
net assets
$617K
employees
5
volunteers
30
program ratio
71%
mission · from form 990

SOUL RYEDERS PROVIDES PERSONALIZED RESOURCES, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO ANYONE IN THE NEW YORK TRI-STATE AREA IMPACTED BY ANY TYPE OF CANCER.

profile · synthesized from sources

SOUL RYEDERS INC supports individuals and families impacted by cancer in the New York tri-state area through personalized resources, emotional support, and wellness programs. The organization offers direct services including wig exchanges, oncology social work, yoga, meditation, and support groups, while also funding local cancer-related initiatives. It combines community-based care with outreach efforts that extend internationally, particularly through its Wigs Without Borders program.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $144K
    CARE SERVICE- INCLUDES A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS BEING TREATED FOR CANCER WHILE PROVIDING VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES TO OFFER THEIR SUPPORT.
  2. #2 $55K
    THE GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS GRANTS TO LOCAL CANCER-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS FOR SPECIFIC INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER.
named programs · 9 · from sources

What they call their work

Meditation & Conversation
Weekly guided meditation followed by facilitated discussion on coping with cancer diagnosis and fear of recurrence; provides emotional support in a group setting.
Mondays with SOUL RYEDERS
Monthly salon event offering complimentary hair and spa services including manicures, makeup, massage, reflexology, and emotional support for women undergoing cancer treatment.
Private Sessions
One-on-one confidential support with a licensed oncology social worker available via phone or video call for emotional and psychological support.
SOUL Cares
Delivers care packages including soup and comfort items to individuals undergoing cancer treatment; emphasizes personal connection and volunteer engagement.
SOUL RYEDERS Half Marathon & 5K
Annual running event that combines fitness and fundraising; participants raise money while promoting health, with all proceeds supporting free client programs.
Support Groups
Offers peer-led support groups for specific populations including young survivors and those with chronic or advanced cancer; includes monthly live sessions and ongoing connection between meetings.
The Wig Exchange
Provides high-quality wigs and support for managing cancer-related hair loss; staffed by survivor volunteer wig advisors who assist with fittings, pre-chemo haircuts, and styling.
Wigs Without Borders®
International initiative that provides wigs to women with cancer in developing countries where stigma and lack of resources lead to social isolation; aims to restore dignity and community standing.
YOGA4CANCER
Yoga classes specifically designed for cancer patients and survivors at all stages, taught by certified instructors who are also survivors; focuses on physical invigoration and emotional healing.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Therapeutic Comfort Kits and Room Makeovers 1 activity
    • Delivering care packages to individuals in cancer treatment
      Prepares and delivers care packages containing soup and other comforting items to individuals undergoing cancer treatment to provide comfort and support.
  • Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
    • Delivering psychosocial and emotional support services
      Provides one-on-one personalized guidance through a Client Intake Coordinator, confidential support sessions with a licensed oncology social worker, and monthly support groups including Young Survivors Group and Chronic & Advanced Cancer Check-In. Also offers caregiver guides with resources and worksheets.
  • Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
    • Funding local cancer support organizations through grants
      Funds local cancer-related organizations through financial grants to improve quality of life for families affected by cancer. Provides financial and programmatic support to small community organizations, enabling expansion of services to low-income residents in lower Westchester County.
  • Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
    • Hosting community events and wellness activities
      Hosts monthly "Mondays with SOUL RYEDERS" events offering complimentary hair and spa services, emotional support, and resource information at a partner salon. Organizes supportive social events with storytelling and pampering services for cancer patients and survivors.
  • Cancer Peer Support & Wellness Programs 1 activity
    • Offering yoga and meditation programs for cancer survivors
      Offers weekly Yoga4Cancer classes taught by certified instructors who are cancer survivors, designed to restore strength, flexibility, and emotional well-being. Also hosts weekly Meditation & Conversation sessions featuring guided meditation and discussion on coping with cancer.
  • Organized Running and Triathlon Events 1 activity
    • Organizing annual race and triathlon fundraising events
      Hosts an annual Half Marathon & 5K event with approximately 2,000 participants starting and finishing at Playland Park in Rye, NY, with a goal of raising $150,000 in 2026. Also organizes youth and adult triathlons and engages over 200 volunteers annually in race operations.
  • Charity Event Organization 1 activity
    • Participating in third-party awareness and fundraising walks
      Organizes or participates in team-based fundraising and awareness events such as the Making Strides Walk and Avon Walk to support cancer-related causes.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Installing and maintaining community reflection spaces
      Installed a labyrinth in Rye Town Park in September 2017 as a community thank-you and space for reflection and healing.
    • Operating Strand Together hair donation program
      Runs Strand Together, a hair donation program that collects donated hair to create wigs for individuals experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment.
    • Operating Wigs Without Borders® for international wig distribution
      Runs Wigs Without Borders®, a program that provides wigs to women with cancer in developing countries such as Rwanda and Botswana, where hair loss stigma leads to social exclusion. Distributed approximately 2,500 donated wigs to women in 10 developing countries and launched a pilot program in 2014.
    • Providing wigs and wig support services for cancer patients
      Provides new and gently used wigs to individuals experiencing cancer-related hair loss, with all used wigs professionally cleaned and reconditioned. Offers personalized wig fitting, care instruction, pre-chemo haircut or styling support, and one-on-one guidance from trained volunteer Wig Advisors who are cancer survivors.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$566K
Contributions & grants$572K101%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$-11K
expenses
Total expenses$594K
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$395K
Grants paid out$19K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$621K
Cash$605K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$617K
Liquid reserves12.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +14.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
HEIDI KITLAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $121K
board members · 9
  • ADRIAN DEEN — Treasurer
  • BRIAN SMITH — Board Chair
  • BURT WEISS — Trustee
  • CHELSEA HAMMERSCHMIDT — Trustee
  • DEBORAH GOLDMAN — Secretary
  • ERIKA UNGAR — Trustee
  • MELISSA KELLY — Trustee
  • SHANNON MCGOVERN — Trustee
  • ZACH GIBBS — Vice Chair
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • Avon Walk Network — Participates in the Avon Walk as a team to raise awareness and funds for cancer-related causes.
  • Corporate Volunteer Partner — Engages corporate groups in volunteer activities to support organizational mission and strengthen team cohesion.
  • Global Focus on Cancer Partner — Partnered with SOUL RYEDERS to distribute wigs to women in countries such as India, Vietnam, and Colombia.
  • Partners for Cancer Care and Prevention Partner — Partnered with SOUL RYEDERS to distribute wigs to women in countries such as India, Vietnam, and Colombia.
  • Playland Park Partner — Host venue for the SOUL RYEDERS Half Marathon & 5K start and finish line.
  • Rye Town Park Partner — Labyrinth installation site and shared community space
  • SUPPORT CONNECTION Partner — Organization that receives grant funding from SOUL RYEDERS to support its mission and programs for people affected by cancer.
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Partner — Collaborates with SOUL RYEDERS to provide caregiver resources.
  • Wig Exchange Partner — Program within SOUL RYEDERS that provides wigs and support for cancer-related hair loss.
  • local cancer-related organizations Partner — Receives grant funding from SOUL RYEDERS INC for initiatives improving quality of life for families affected by cancer.
  • partner salon Partner — Collaborates with a partner salon to host monthly "Mondays with SOUL RYEDERS" events offering complimentary hair and spa services.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Client-Centered, Relational Service Delivery
    methodology: client_centered_relational_model
    By meeting individuals at their point of readiness and personalizing support through intake and relational connections, the organization improves engagement and effectiveness, because tailored, emotionally grounded interactions foster trust and reduce barriers to care.
  • Holistic Recovery Through Survivor-Taught Therapeutic Practices
    methodology: yoga_for_cancer_recovery
    By delivering yoga and exercise programs designed for and taught by cancer survivors, the organization supports physical and emotional recovery, because instructor lived experience combined with evidence-based movement increases safety, relevance, and client engagement.
  • Inclusive, Volunteer-Integrated Care Ecosystem
    methodology: volunteer_integrated_inclusive_care
    By integrating trained volunteers into core service delivery within an inclusive environment, the organization sustains compassionate, community-driven support, because volunteer engagement expands reach while fostering belonging across diverse identities and life stages.
  • Peer-Supported Resource Recycling with Dignity Restoration
    methodology: peer_supported_recycling
    By redistributing gently used wigs through a peer-led service model, the organization provides practical and emotional support for hair loss, because it combines affordability and sustainability with dignity restoration and social reintegration, particularly in stigmatizing contexts.
  • Survivor-Led Peer Support Model
    methodology: survivor_led_peer_support
    By using cancer survivors as volunteer Wig Advisors and peer supporters, the organization increases client trust, engagement, and emotional empowerment, because shared lived experience creates authentic connection and reduces isolation during treatment.