Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Spring for Kids Foundation

Role in the Funding Ecosystem

Spring for Kids Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and young adults with cleft and craniofacial conditions in British Columbia and across Canada. The foundation acts as a funding intermediary, channeling donations and fundraising proceeds toward direct patient care, research initiatives, and healthcare system improvements.

Funding Areas and Target Audiences

The foundation focuses on three critical initiative areas: Care for Kids, which funds immediate diagnostics and treatment for children currently in care; Transition Care for Teens, addressing the gap when young adults age out of pediatric healthcare; and the Cleft & Craniofacial Centre of Excellence, a long-term vision for establishing a state-of-the-art treatment facility.

Research and Project Funding

Spring for Kids has funded university-based research projects that have produced tangible outcomes, including the development of CitraRinse oral rinse to improve oral health for cleft and non-cleft patients. All proceeds from CitraRinse sales are donated back to the foundation, creating a sustainable funding cycle.

Transparency and Accountability

The foundation maintains partnerships with established healthcare institutions, particularly BC Children's Hospital, where funds are directed to the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Fund. Financial transparency is demonstrated through public reporting of total funds raised (over $250,000 to date) and specific project outcomes.

History and Evolution

Founded in 2011 by Vancouver orthodontist Dr. Angelina Loo, Spring for Kids originated from a 2009 non-profit committee that raised nearly $128,000 for BC Children's Hospital through a 2010 Olympic Games ticket raffle. The organization successfully competed for a $100,000 grant in the Pepsi Refresh Project in 2011, which accelerated its growth and established its grant-making capacity.