activities · 7
what they do
direct service · 7
- Connecting cancer patients to resources Cancer Peer Support & Emotional Wellness ProgramsThe organization provides access to various resources, including financial assistance, caregiver support, emotional and mental health support, education and health literacy, and advocacy and navigation for cancer patients and their families.
- Connecting cancer patients to resources Cancer Peer Support & Emotional Wellness ProgramsThe organization helps cancer patients access various resources, including financial assistance, caregiver support, emotional and mental health support, education and health literacy, and advocacy and navigation services.
- Direct financial assistance for non-medical essentials during cancer treatment Medical Cost & Equipment AssistanceProvides one-time financial grants to families in Arizona undergoing active cancer treatment to cover non-medical essentials such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transportation, and housing expenses. These grants aim to prevent eviction, utility shut-offs, and food insecurity.
- Fundraising events Cancer-Focused Fundraising & Awareness EventsHosts annual fundraising events such as the 9th Annual 5K For Hope on November 15, 2025, to support program operations.
- Providing financial assistance for non-medical needs to cancer patients Medical Cost & Equipment AssistanceFAMILIES RAISING HOPE provides direct financial assistance to individuals in Arizona undergoing active cancer treatment to cover non-medical essential needs such as housing (rent/mortgage), utilities, groceries, and transportation. This support aims to prevent eviction, utility shut-offs, and food insecurity.
- Support services beyond financial aid Cancer Peer Support & Emotional Wellness ProgramsOffers access to resources including caregiver support, emotional and mental health support, education, health literacy, and advocacy and navigation services for individuals and families affected by cancer.
- Volunteer-run operations Volunteer-Operated Community Service DeliveryOperates entirely through volunteer labor, delivering services to patients in active cancer treatment without paid staff.
strategies · 16
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Direct payment to providers or gift cards for assistance direct_payment_to_providersTo ensure funds are used for their intended purpose, financial assistance is provided directly to institutions or organizations offering services, or through gift cards, rather than direct cash payments to recipients.
- Immediate Stabilization Support immediate_stabilization_supportThe organization focuses on providing immediate, life-stabilizing support to cancer patients to enable healing and recovery, addressing urgent financial needs directly.
- Leveraging Charitable Tax Credits for Fundraising charitable_tax_credit_fundraisingThe organization utilizes Arizona's Charitable Tax Credit program to fund its mission, enabling donors to receive state tax credits for contributions, thereby encouraging community support and maximizing fundraising efficiency for local programs.
- Mitigating Financial Toxicity of Cancer Treatment financial_toxicity_mitigationThe organization provides direct financial assistance to alleviate the financial burden associated with cancer treatment, enabling patients and their families to focus on healing and recovery rather than financial stress. This approach is rooted in personal experience with cancer-related financial hardship.
- Mitigating Financial Toxicity of Cancer Treatment financial_toxicity_mitigationThe organization provides direct financial assistance to alleviate the financial burden of cancer treatment, enabling patients and families to focus on healing and recovery rather than the economic strain of their illness. This approach is rooted in personal experience with cancer-related financial hardship.
- Mitigating financial toxicity of cancer treatment financial_toxicity_mitigationThe organization provides direct financial assistance to alleviate the financial burden associated with cancer treatment, enabling patients and families to focus on healing and recovery rather than financial stress. This strategy is rooted in the understanding that financial hardship can impede effective treatment and recovery.
- Needs-Based and Referral-Based Support needs-based_supportThe organization utilizes a needs-based intake approach to tailor resource provision to the specific needs of families, identifying those in dire need through a referral-based model involving hospitals, cancer centers, and social workers.
- Needs-based and referral-based support needs-based_supportThe organization tailors its support to the specific and immediate financial needs of families undergoing cancer treatment, identified through a referral system involving hospitals, cancer centers, and social workers. This ensures that assistance is directed to those in dire need and is appropriate for their situation.
- Peer-Informed Support and Community Awareness peer-informed_supportThe organization leverages the firsthand knowledge and experiences of cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers within its organization to provide support and raise awareness about the financial toxicities of cancer, fostering a "families helping families" community model.
- Peer-Informed and Community-Supported Approach peer_informed_supportThe organization integrates the firsthand experiences of cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers into its support model, fostering a "families helping families" ethos. This approach aims to raise awareness about financial toxicities and rally community support based on shared understanding.
- Peer-informed and community-supported approach peer-informed_supportThe organization leverages the firsthand experiences of cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers within its structure to inform its support services. It also fosters a "families helping families" community model to raise awareness and rally support for those affected by cancer's financial impact.
- Referral and Needs-Based Assistance needs_based_supportThe organization utilizes a referral-based model, partnering with hospitals and social workers to identify patients in dire need. Assistance is then tailored to the specific, immediate financial needs of families, with funds often paid directly to service providers or via gift cards.
- Utilizing Arizona's Charitable Tax Credit for fundraising charitable_tax_credit_fundraisingThe organization leverages Arizona's Charitable Tax Credit program to incentivize donations, allowing contributors to receive state tax credits. This mechanism helps fund the mission by making giving more attractive to donors.
- Volunteer-Driven Operational Model volunteer_driven_modelThe organization operates entirely with volunteers, leveraging community generosity and engagement to deliver services and ensure that nearly all funds raised directly support families in need. This model also extends to fundraising, keeping overhead low.
- Volunteer-Driven Service Delivery volunteer-driven_modelThe organization operates entirely on a volunteer basis, leveraging community generosity and dedicated volunteers to deliver services and support to families. This model ensures that resources are maximized for direct support and fosters community engagement.
- Volunteer-driven service delivery volunteer-driven_modelThe organization operates entirely through volunteers, leveraging community generosity and dedication to deliver services and support to families. This model ensures that resources are maximized for direct aid by minimizing overhead costs.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
5K For Hope
Annual fundraising event that supports the organization’s mission; serves as the primary in-person fundraiser with all proceeds staying in Arizona to assist local families
Financial Assistance Program
Provides one-time direct financial aid to cover rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, and groceries for Arizona cancer patients in active treatment who meet eligibility criteria
Hope Blossoms Gala
Evening fundraising event featuring dinner and storytelling to raise support for housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation for patients in treatment
relationships · 7
who they work with
- Jeff McGinnis Partner — Co-founder of Families Raising Hope and instrumental in establishing the organization.
- Jenny McGinnis Partner — Co-founder of Families Raising Hope and instrumental in establishing the organization.
- Melissa Kovalesky Partner — President & Co-Founder who serves as primary contact for program and partnership inquiries.
- State of Arizona Government — Registered with the state of Arizona to receive donations through the Charitable Tax Credit program.
- cancer centers Partner — Cancer centers refer patients to Families Raising Hope for non-medical financial support.
- hospitals Partner — Hospitals refer cancer patients to Families Raising Hope for financial assistance.
- social workers Partner — Social workers identify and refer cancer patients in need of financial assistance to Families Raising Hope.