Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation logo

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker Chicago, IL EIN: 36-3874655 Website

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.

Key facts about Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation

EIN
36-3874655
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Total assets
$2,378,698

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$2.4M

-1.0% YoY

Revenue

$1.5M

+14.4% YoY

Net Investment Income

$52K

+58174.4% YoY

Expenses

$1.5M

+3.7% YoY

About Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. Net investment income was $52K.

Focus Areas

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Cities

Bala CynwydFort MyersNew YorkWynnewood

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K2 grants2020 0 grants2021 1 grant2022 1 grant2023 1 grant2024 0 grants2025

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2023) to $200K (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $20K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Grant Size Distribution

3 grants across all recorded years

2<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 3 (67%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for 2025.

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$2,378,698$2,401,640$2,550,663
Revenue$1,484,979$1,297,950$1,735,462
Expenses$1,512,406$1,459,087$1,413,781
Net Investment Income$52,447$90$30

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 16, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 30, 2024)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 5, 2025)
  5. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is led by Kate Tillotson, CEO on every filing since 2023; 4 of 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Kate Tillotson

    CEO

    On filings since 2023

    45 hrs/week

    $128K (2023) → $140K (2025)

  • Kathleen Casey

    President & Founder

    CEO & President → President & Founder, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $142K (2020) → $148K (2025)

  • Andrea Caputo

    Director

    Board Secretary → Board Member, 2021

    Board Member → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jon Jelinek

    Director

    Board Member → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pamela Mikulec

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ajani Nimmagadda

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Conrad

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenra Castelloni

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rob Pellicano

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Steph Sorensen

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Susan Hitch-Zint

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cheryl Grace

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Courtney Moore

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Craig Shirley

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Delnaz Vazifdar

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Courtney Krupa

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $81K (2020) → $100K (2025)

  • Michelle Hanfling

    Vice President of Programs & Operations

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $100K (2025)

  • Barbara Hartman

    Secretary

    Board Member → Secretary, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joy Larisey

    Co-Chair

    Board Member → Co-Chair, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • James Herbison

    Vice Chair

    Board Member → Vice Chairperson, 2022

    Vice Chairperson → Vice Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Claire Jolcover

    Co-Chair

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paula Hamric

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brianna Elsass

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (19)
  • Former: Susan Mura (2020–2024) — Director of Finance
  • Former: Chris Armstrong (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Anthony Marino (2020–2022) — Director - Term
  • Former: David Ventura (2020–2022) — Director - Term
  • Former: Dennis Culloton (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Hillary Fash (2020–2022) — Director - Term
  • Former: Tim Mauery (2020–2022) — Director - Term
  • Former: Jennifer Goodwin (2021–2022) — President & Young Professional Board
  • Former: Susan Hitch (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: Katharine Tillotson (2022) — CEO
  • Former: Richard Gray (2022) — Director
  • Former: Jeff Shea (2020–2021) — Board Member - Term
  • Former: Justyna Della Valle (2020–2021) — Board Member - Term
  • Former: Ken Moll (2020–2021) — Board Member - Term
  • Former: Pam Mikulec (2020–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Jim Herbison (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Paul Iacono (2020) — Board Vice President
  • Former: Peter Ponniah (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Scott Jarnac (2020) — Board Member

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Kathleen Casey — President and Founder: $148KKathleen CaseyPresident and Founder$148KKate Tillotson — CEO: $140KKate TillotsonCEO$140KMichelle Hanfling — VP of Programs & Operations: $100KMichelle HanflingVP of Programs & Operations$100KCourtney Krupa — Vice President: $100KCourtney KrupaVice President$100K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $148K, to Kathleen Casey (President and Founder). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation

How large is Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation?

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.

What is Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation?

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $2.4M in total assets as of 2025.

Where does Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation operate?

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation has awarded grants in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania.

What is Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation's EIN?

Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3874655. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

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