Why Starlight: A Trustworthy Children’s Charity for Giving Tuesday

Program Impact

·Sep 24th, 2026

Starlight’s mission is to deliver happiness to seriously ill kids and their families.

The GivingTuesday movement aims to transform the world through radical generosity. Consider giving to Starlight to transform the world of a seriously ill child by giving them happiness, comfort and joy.

A Verified Charity for Giving Tuesday

Starlight Children’s Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization (Tax I.D. 95-3802159), consistently earning high marks across the most credible charity rating organizations.

Charity Navigator - Starlight has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for nine consecutive years. This is the highest recognition a charity can receive.
Candid (Formerly Guide Star) - Starlight earned a Platinum Transparency rating, the highest level of recognition awarded by Candid.
Charity Watch - As a top-rated charity, Starlight meets Charity Navigator’s rigorous standards for financial efficiency, governance and transparency. Starlight was even featured on their recommended charities list for National Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Day.
Great Nonprofits - Read over 100 reviews from volunteers, donors and supporters.

85 Cents Donated per Dollar

We are committed to making sure each donation goes as far as possible to deliver happiness to hospitalized kids. Here’s the breakdown of how each dollar supports Starlight:

85% goes directly into delivering programming for kids
11% gets reinvested into fundraising
Just 3.2% goes to management and general overhead

Read more of our impact in our 2025 Annual Report.

Impact Worthy of Your Trust

Fundraisers, corporate partners and donors support Starlight each year because they know they can trust where their dollars go. More than anything, though, they know the real, tangible and tremendous impact they can make.

Whether it's practical support for procedures or hope to get through a hard day, happiness from Starlight programs support kids at each part of their hospital stay.

“Starlight was very forthcoming with information and very transparent. I always audit charities that I do before I volunteer with them and work with their groups. They scored incredibly high with the watchdogs and charity groups. Starlight checked all the boxes.”
- Pix_Stitch, Starlight fundraiser

“Seeing Levi receive his Starlight Hospital Gown was a moment where I wished I could've froze time. Seeing him so happy and thrilled over something instead of dealing with blood sticks, casting and echoes was just amazing. It's indescribable.”
- Chelsea, Levi's mom

“Your donation has brought comfort during hard days, created opportunities for connection, and given countless children moments of happiness they will remember long after they leave our center. Thank you for helping restore pieces of childhood when children need it most. ”
- Ashton, Certified Child Life Specialist

Polly and Mom_1x1 — Polly and her mom getting a toy at the hospital during the holidays.

This Giving Tuesday, Give Happiness

Give to Starlight and help seriously ill kids when they need happiness most. This month, kids across the country will be spending Christmas in the hospital.

That’s why Starlight is gearing up to deliver toys, games and more to help kids celebrate, even while they’re in the hospital.

Hospital stays might not pause for the holidays, but happiness can still happen – with your help.

Donate today to ensure gifts arrive at hospitals by December 25th.

Give now