Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Fountain Valley, California. The organization is one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the United States. Supported by Hyundai Motor America, over 850 U.S. dealers, and customer donations from every new vehicle sale, Hyundai Hope on Wheels dedicates its resources to funding research and raising awareness about childhood cancer.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.6M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$26.1M
+49.0% YoY
Grant Count
108
+14.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$242K
+29.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer through research funding and public awareness. The organization funds grants to eligible institutions nationwide pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for pediatric cancer.
The organization's logo represents three core values:
- Love – Care, respect, and love for children, doctors, researchers, and families
- Hope – Bringing hope to children and families suffering from pediatric cancer
- Recovery – Supporting research to find treatments and leading advocacy for the eradication of pediatric cancer
Grantmaking
Hyundai Hope on Wheels awards grants in three primary categories:
Review Cycle
mid-February
Grant Types
How to Apply
- **Eligibility**: Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions only
Ready to take the next step with Hyundai Hope on Wheels?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Hyundai Hope on Wheels funds pediatric cancer research institutions nationwide across the United States. The organization has awarded grants to over 175 hospitals and research institutions since inception. Beginning in 2025, the organization announced expansion to include Canada and Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $21,640,851
- Total Giving: $26,066,701
- Total Revenues: $29,492,131
- Total Expenses: $30,901,058
- Number of Employees: 2–3
Lifetime Giving:
- Over $277 million in total grants awarded since 1998
- More than 1,300 childhood cancer research grants funded
- Over 1,400 grants awarded to 175+ institutions as of 2025
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,640,851 | $20,037,357 | $15,173,835 |
| Revenue | $29,492,131 | $27,448,244 | $18,058,646 |
| Expenses | $30,901,058 | $21,461,317 | $18,231,257 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $520,989 | $213,780 | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Hyundai Impact Award
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Amount
$50,000
Deadline
September 30, 2026
Hyundai Quantum Award
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Amount
$1,000,000
Deadline
September 30, 2026
Hyundai Scholar Grant
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Amount
$250,000
Deadline
September 30, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Brandon Ramirez – Principal Officer
- Randy Parker – President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America
- José Muñoz – President and Global Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor Company; President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyundai Motor North America
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Auffenberg | Chairman | 1.25 | — |
| Kevin Reilly | Vice Chairman | 1.25 | — |
| Brady Schmidt | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Gary Rome | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Mike Kelly | Director | 1.25 | — |
| John Guastaferro | Executive Director | 25 | $112,650 |
| Brandon Ramirez | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Kevin Kolb | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Paul Peebles | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Jim Walen | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Marcelo Brutti | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Daniel Wechsler | Director | 1.25 | — |
| Andrew Atkin | Director | 1.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Milestones:**
Hyundai Hope on Wheels reached $277 million in lifetime giving
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Announces 2025 Grant Award WinnersAnnounced 2025 grant awards totaling $27 million across 106 grants
Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards Impact Grants Totaling $900,000 For PediatricLaunched global expansion to Canada and Mexico
Announced new strategic initiatives including endowed chair positions up to $3 million
Selected Jackson and Emmy as 2025 National Youth Ambassadors
**2024 Milestones:**
Reached landmark milestone of $250 million in lifetime giving during the organization's 26th anniversary
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Commemorates 27th Anniversary with $27 Million DonationAwarded $26 million in grants across 91 research and programmatic grants during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards Impact Grants Totaling $900,000 For PediatricSupported more than 25,000 children and their families in the U.S. in the fight against cancer
**Impact Context:**
Every 36 minutes, a child in the U.S. is diagnosed with cancer. Despite federal funding cuts, Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to support research that has contributed to over 85% of children surviving pediatric cancer. The organization conducts annual "Handprint Ceremonies" at children's hospitals across the U.S., where children's handprints are captured in paint and placed on Hyundai vehicles that travel nationwide to raise awareness.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Announces 2025 Grant Award WinnersSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Hyundai Hope on Wheels on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities