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Welcome to Keating’s Kids

Where Dreams Come True
for the Bravest Kids

Keating’s Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for children facing severe, life-threatening illnesses. By connecting these children with their celebrity idols, Keating’s Kids aims to bring moments of happiness, inspiration, and cherished memories to both the children and their families. Our mission is to offer joy and strength to those in need, empowering them to face each day with renewed hope and resilience.

T he primary impact of Keating’s Kids is rooted in the transformative power of personal connection. By facilitating these once-in-a-lifetime encounters, we make children feel valued and special, lifting their spirits and fostering positive emotional experiences that can significantly improve their well-being. Through these connections, we provide not just a day of joy, but a lasting memory that can provide comfort during difficult times.

Keating’s Kids is committed to serving children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses who are seeking a sense of joy and normalcy in their lives. Our target population includes any child with a severe illness, offering them an opportunity to experience the joy of meeting their celebrity idols and creating cherished memories with their families.

The organization operates primarily through donations, corporate sponsorships, and other forms of community support. We are actively working to raise initial funding of $100K to ensure the sustainability of our programs, including providing necessary resources for the children during their visits and meeting additional operational costs. This funding will be raised through fundraising campaigns and strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors.

Frank Grillo is the celebrity

Frank visited Children’s Healthcare of ATL and did personal visited with a few the kids for a magical experience

Executive Summary

Keating’s Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for children facing severe, life-threatening illnesses. By connecting these children with their celebrity idols, Keating’s Kids aims to bring moments of happiness, inspiration, and cherished memories to both the children and their families. Our mission is to offer joy and strength to those in need, empowering them to face each day with renewed hope and resilience.

T he primary impact of Keating’s Kids is rooted in the transformative power of personal connection. By facilitating these once-in-a-lifetime encounters, we make children feel valued and special, lifting their spirits and fostering positive emotional experiences that can significantly improve their well-being. Through these connections, we provide not just a day of joy, but a lasting memory that can provide comfort during difficult times.

Keating’s Kids is committed to serving children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses who are seeking a sense of joy and normalcy in their lives. Our target population includes any child with a severe illness, offering them an opportunity to experience the joy of meeting their celebrity idols and creating cherished memories with their families.

Mission Statement

To create unforgettable experiences and cherished memories for children facing severe illnesses, providing them with joy and inspiration to overcome their challenges.

Impact Statement

Keating’s Kids connects children with their celebrity idols, making them feel valued and bringing joy to their lives. These experiences empower children to face each day with renewed strength, while creating precious, lasting memories for both the children and their families. By providing these connections, we help combat the emotional and physical toll of illness and offer hope in difficult time

Founder

Keating’s Kids was founded by Meghan and Keating McCrea, whose personal dedication to children with severe illnesses and belief in the transformative power of emotional connection drives the vision of the organization.

Target Population

Keating’s Kids focuses on children across the U.S. who are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. The organization provides these children with an opportunity to meet their celebrity heroes, helping them find joy and strength in the face of adversity

Current Landscape

Organizations such as Make-A-Wish have done incredible work in granting wishes to children with severe illnesses, and Keating’s Kids sees no competition in their mission—rather, we believe the more organizations working to support these children, the better. Keating’s Kids aims to complement the work of Make-A-Wish and other organizations by providing a unique, niche service—connecting children directly with their celebrity idols.

According to recent statistics, 16-18% of children and adolescents will be diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness. In 2024, approximately 15,000 children aged 0-19 are projected to be diagnosed with cancer, with 1,590 expected deaths. Keating’s Kids seeks to help 50-100 children in its first 18 months, expanding further as awareness grows and funding allows.

Core Values & Principles

1.Ethical Guidelines: Keating’s Kids is committed to providing safe, respectful, and meaningful experiences for every child we serve. We ensure that all activities are carried out with the highest standards of ethical conduct, maintaining transparency, integrity, and honesty in all interactions.

2.Collaboration with Hospitals: We partner with hospitals to identify children who would benefit from our program. Our partnerships ensure that the children we serve are medically cleared for participation, and the safety and well-being of each child is our top priority.

3.Family-Centered Approach: We work closely with families to tailor each experience to the child’s preferences, ensuring that their needs are met, and that they are supported throughout the process.

3.Respect for Privacy: We respect the privacy of all families and individuals involved in the program, ensuring confidentiality and a safe, secure environment for everyone.

Fundraising Strategy

Keating’s Kids will raise funds through a combination of individual donations, grants, fundraising events, and corporate sponsorships. Key fundraising strategies include:

  • Corporate Sponsorships:  Partnerships with businesses and brands that share our values and are committed to social impact..
  • Fundraising Events:  Organizing charity events such as galas, benefit concerts, and virtual donation drive.
  • Fundraising Events: Organizing charity events such as galas, benefit concerts, and virtual donation drive.
  • Individual Donations: Applying for relevant grants from foundations and government programs that support children’s health, wellness, and entertainment.

Ensuring resources are available to accommodate the children we serve, including transportation, gifts, and personalized experiences.

Keating’s Kids is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses. By connecting them with their celebrity idols, we offer emotional support, create cherished memories, and bring moments of joy to families during challenging times. With the support of our donors, sponsors, partners, and volunteers, we are excited to help 50-100 children in our first 18 months, with plans to grow and expand our impact in the years to come.

Meghan and Keating McCrea

Co-Founders with son/brother Jensen

Amaury Nolasco

Board Member and Actor