Chai Lifeline

Chai Lifeline’s [ http://www.chailifeline.org/ ]mantra
is “Fighting Illness with Love.” It began in 1986 with
its pilot program, a summer camp for children
suffering from cancer called Camp Simcha. The
camp provided resources, staff and an environment
exactly tailored to suit the special needs of these sick
kids. Camp Simcha turned out to be an overwhelming
success. It provided the opportunity for seriously ill
children to have the time of their lives. Chai Lifeline
then evolved rapidly as it identified the various needs
of seriously ill children and their families. Today, it
addresses the full spectrum of needs –social,
recreational, psychological and logistic. Chai Lifeline
reaches out not only to patients, but also to parents,
siblings, classmates, school faculty, and the community
as well. When families feel alone and overwhelmed,
Chai Lifeline extends a helping hand, a listening ear,
a shoulder to cry on - and a loving heart. Because, at the
end of the day, that is what Chai Lifeline is all about –
fighting illness with love.

For Hanukah , Chai Lifeline brought holiday simcha to
7,000 seriously ill children and their families in hospitals
in the United States, Canada, England and Israel. Festive
music, delicious food, and exciting entertainers made
each event memorable. Hanukah gifts were given to all
children. Chai Lifeline created the holiday spirit for
everyone.

On January 27 of this year, 230 members of Team Lifeline
came from around the world to Miami to run 13.1 miles.
They succeeded in raising $1 million to send children to
Camp Simcha. The team of runners included counselors,
parents and campers including three teenage campers who
competed in wheelchairs. Also participating were some elite
runners who have qualified for the Boston Marathon. “But
the true winners are the kids and families of Chai Lifeline,
who are in a marathon for their lives every day of the year.”



According to Charity Navigator
[ http://www.charitynavigator.org/ ], America’s leading
charity evaluator, Chai Lifeline has an overall rating of
four stars (four stars is the highest rating. Charity
Navigator provides the following financial breakdown of
Chai Lifeline based on 990 tax returns through 2006:

Overall Rating ****

Organizational Efficiency
Program Expenses 85.6%
Administrative Expenses 9.0%
Fundraising Expenses 5.3%
Fundraising Efficiency $0.05
(Chai Lifeline spends $.05 to
Raise $1,)
Efficiency Rating ****

Organizational Capacity
Program Revenue Growth 10.4%
Program Expenses Growth 10.7%
Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.14
(Chai Lifeline can sustain itself
for 0.14 years without generating
new revenue.)
Capacity Rating ****

Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul.

Chai Lifeline is a highly efficient non-profit organization in
that a large portion of its expenses reach its target – the
children. It has also demonstrated a consistent rate of
revenue and expenses growth, Thus it is likely to sustain
its programs and services over the long haul.


Chai Lifeline had net assets of $6,525,098. Compensation for
its executive director, Abraham Cohen, is $151.912 which is
0.97% of expenses.

For comparison purposes, the Ronald McDonald House of
New York has been given a three star rating by Charity Navigator.

Next Week’s Blog: Drisha Institute for Jewish Education