Ticket to Dream Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Roseville, California. Established in 2008, the organization works nationwide to improve the lives of foster children by partnering with corporate sponsors, local communities, and a network of foster care-focused nonprofit organizations. The foundation operates through a combination of in-kind donations and monetary contributions to ensure foster youth have access to essential items and enriching opportunities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.4M
-11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
-42.2% YoY
Grant Count
184
-5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-38.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To ensure those experiencing the foster care system have everyday essentials and opportunities to thrive by working in partnership with a nationwide network of supporters, corporations, and nonprofits.
The foundation operates three primary program areas:
Essentials Program — Collects, purchases, and distributes essential items including clothing, hygiene products, shoes, and school supplies to meet the everyday needs of foster youth. The program also provides cash support for local purchases of specific essential needs and shopping experiences for children.
Ally Program — Provides targeted cash support and essentials to address unmet needs facing Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. The program also works to recruit more foster parents, kinship parents, mentors, and adoptive parents from these populations.
Take Flight Program — Provides cash support to boost programming focused on improving graduation rates for foster youth, reducing homelessness for youth aging out of care, and increasing employment opportunities.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations working with foster children. Based on the most recent tax filing (2024), total giving reached $11,904,772. Grant awards typically range from $6,509 to $247,244.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's reach has expanded significantly since its inception. While initially focused on the West Coast where corporate partners Sleep Train, Mattress Discounters, and Sleep Country USA operated, the organization now serves all 50 states through a network of over 220 foster care nonprofit partners.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024 (most recent tax filing):
- Total Assets: $4,405,022
- Total Revenue: $12,335,335
- Total Expenses: $13,127,284
- Total Liabilities: $315,000
- Total Giving: $11,904,772
- Staff: 13 employees
The organization maintains a four-star rating with a 98% overall score, reflecting strong performance in accountability, finance, impact measurement, leadership, and community culture.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,405,022 | $4,961,093 | $5,455,675 |
| Revenue | $12,335,335 | $12,377,193 | $13,999,087 |
| Expenses | $13,127,284 | $12,922,149 | $12,873,523 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $109,475 | $42,439 | $5,500 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Youth Villages Tennessee ($43,000), Firefly Children & Family Alliance ($29,000), The Felix Organization ($28,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YOUTH VILLAGES TENNESSEE MEMPHIS, TN | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $43,000 |
| FIREFLY CHILDREN & FAMILY ALLIANCE INDIANAPOLIS, IN | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $29,000 |
| THE FELIX ORGANIZATION LOCUST VALLEY, NY | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $28,000 |
| FOSTER FORWARD EAST PROVIDENCE, RI | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR STRONG FAMILIES GAINESVILLE, FL | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $23,950 |
| HALOS NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $22,000 |
| LITTLE FLOWER CHILDREN & FAM SERV WADING RIVER, NY | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $22,000 |
| CITY LIVING NY NEW YORK, NY | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $21,500 |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTH DAKOTA RAPID CITY, SD | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $21,500 |
| CORNERSTONES OF CARE KANSAS CITY, MO | FOSTER KIDS PROGRAM | $21,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Gina Davis — Chief Executive Officer
- Mary Carson — President
- Meghan Renken — Marketing Director
- Mauri Knowles — Program Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GINA DAVIS | CEO | 40 | $153,375 |
| MAURI KNOWLES | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $108,480 |
| MARY CARSON | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| REBEKAH HEISKELL | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| ANGIE ALVES | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| KATHY CARLSEN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SUNNI GOODMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| TERES MUGNAINI | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CORDELIA CRANSHAW | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| BRIAN BAXTER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LATRICE COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DALE CARLSEN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KATHY STEPHENSON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LORI STEWART | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has achieved significant milestones in partnership with major retailers. Famous Footwear partnered with Ticket to Dream to help reach their 1 millionth foster child through the organization's programs. The foundation has also been recognized by Jewelers for Children as a beneficiary organization for supporting children in need.
Famous Footwear Helps Their 1 Millionth Foster Child Through PartnershipSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ticket to Dream Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To ensure those experiencing the foster care system have everyday essentials and opportunities to thrive by working in partnership with a nationwide network of supporters, corporations, and nonprofits. The foundation operates three primary program areas: **Essentials Program** — Collects, purchases, and distributes essential items including clothing, hygiene products, shoes, and school supplies to meet the everyday needs of foster youth. The program also provides cash support for l…
How do I apply for a grant from Ticket to Dream Foundation?
The foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations working with foster children. Based on the most recent tax filing (2024), total giving reached $11,904,772. Grant awards typically range from $6,509 to $247,244. The foundation has distributed over 4.8 million essential items to foster children and provided over 60,000 youth with access to extracurricular activities and vital support services for youth aging out of care.
Where does Ticket to Dream Foundation make grants?
The foundation's reach has expanded significantly since its inception. While initially focused on the West Coast where corporate partners Sleep Train, Mattress Discounters, and Sleep Country USA operated, the organization now serves all 50 states through a network of over 220 foster care nonprofit partners.
What size grants does Ticket to Dream Foundation award?
In 2024, Ticket to Dream Foundation awarded 184 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ticket to Dream Foundation's EIN?
Ticket to Dream Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0355853. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ticket to Dream Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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