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Nonprofit · EIN 23-2916337

THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION

Tax-exempt · ELKINS PARK, PA 19027

Financials

$1.2M$1.4M2023$1.6M$1.3M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$1,569,686$1,272,619$297,067$1,143,300$0$1,143,300
December 31, 2023990$1,239,848$1,424,719-$184,871$846,233$0$846,233
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$1,531,144
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$28,501
Net income from fundraising events
$10,041
Other revenue
$10,041

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$886,378
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$85,000
Other salaries and wages
$189,000
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$298,081
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Accounting fees
$7,750
Occupancy
$10,835
Travel
$3,874
Depreciation
$3,930
Program services (functional)
$1,106,311
Management and general (functional)
$55,747
Fundraising (functional)
$110,561

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$846,233
Total assets, end of year
$1,143,300
Total liabilities, end of year
$0
Net assets, end of year
$1,143,300
Land, buildings and equipment
$34,684
Net assets without donor restrictions
$1,020,918
Net assets with donor restrictions
$122,382
Gross receipts
$1,747,658
Employees
5
Volunteers
450
Year formed
1997
State of legal domicile
PA

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
MARY ELLEN FITZGERALDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Officer
60$85,000
RYAN GALVINPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
BARBARA SHAWSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
VINCENT HEGARTYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
MATTHEW CULLISONVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
BILL NEWSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
GREG CLIFTONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
DIANA EIDENSHINKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
KENNETH S ZYLSTRABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
DR SRMILA AITHALBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
DR ADAM BINDERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
JODI SANDOSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 13 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
MARY ELLEN FITZGERALDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Officer
60$79,083
RYAN GALVINPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
BARBARA SHAWSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
VINCENT HEGARTYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
MATTHEW CULLISONVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
PHYLLIS JABLONOWSKIBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
BILL NEWSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
JODI SANDOSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
GREG CLIFTONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
DIANA EIDENSHINKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
KENNETH S ZYLSTRABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
DR SRMILA AITHALBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0
DR ADAM BINDERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
10$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
8310 BROOKSIDE RD, ELKINS PARK, PA 19027-1904
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
MARY ELLEN FITZGERALD, 8310 BROOKSIDE ROAD, ELKINS PARK, PA 19027
Signed the 990
MARY ELLEN FITZGERALD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Phone
(215) 277-1006
Return prepared by
TAIT WELLER & BAKER LLP

Mission

THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED TO PROVIDE AID AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES SUFFERING FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF LIVING WITH CANCER.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • BRF'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED CARE AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER BY ADDRESSING THEIR MOST CRITICAL NEEDS SO THAT THEY CAN CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS ON REGAINING THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1997, BRF HAS WORKED TO BUILD A COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING THE DEVESTATING EFFECTS OF A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. FOUNDERS DIANE AND BERNIE FITZGERALD'S VISION FOR BRF WAS SPARKED BY DIANE'S ONGOING BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER AS THEY PARENTED THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. DIANE AND BERNIE NOTICED THAT THE TREMENDOUS SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED FROM THEIR LARGE FAMILY AND TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY DID NOT EXIST FOR OTHER FAMILIES FACING THE SAME HURDLES, SO THEY FOUNDED BRF TO CREATE THAT SUPPORT FOR OTHERS. SINCE THAT TIME, BRF, A 501C3 ORGANIZATION, HAS SERVED OVER 15,000 CANCER PATIENTS AND 43,000 FAMILY MEMBERS. IN THIS SERVICE, BRF BELIEVES ALL RECIPIENTS AND VOLUNTEERS MAKE UP ONE COMMUNITY, ONE FAMILY, FIGHTING CANCER TOGETHER. TO THAT END, BRF PARTNERS WITH HOSPITALS AND CANCER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION TO EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY MEET THE NEEDS OF CANCER PATIENTS IN OUR FIVE COUNTY SERVICE AREA. SOCIAL WORKERS AT EACH PARTNER INSTITUTION ASSESS PATIENT DIAGNOSIS AND NEED TO ENSURE THEY FIT THE BRF MISSION. ONCE A PATIENT IS REFERRED TO BRF, A STAFF PERSON CALLS THE PATIENT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS AND TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR HOW BRF CAN OFFER THEM "BREATHING ROOM" FROM THEIR ONGOING BATTLE AND EVERYDAY STRESS. OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS THEN GO TO WORK FULFILLING EACH FAMILY'S NEEDS. OUR HELP ALLOWS PATIENTS TO CONCENTRATE ON TREATMENT AND RECOVERY WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR FAMILIES' BASIC NEEDS WILL BE MET. BRF RELIEVES THE FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL BURDENS INDIVIDUALS FACE WHILE BATTLING CANCER THROUGH ITS FOUR MAJOR PROGRAMS: COMFORT PROGRAM, CRITICAL NEEDS FUND, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS AND BREAKING BARRIERS.COMFORT PROGRAM: EACH FAMILY RECEIVES SUPPORT FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. THIS SUPPORT IS INDIVIDUALIZED TO EACH FAMILY'S NEEDS BUT OFTEN INCLUDES DELIVERIES OF HOME-COOKED MEALS AND GROCERIES, HOUSE CLEANING OR YARD WORK AND OFFERINGS OF COMFORT ITEMS AND GAS OR GROCERY STORE GIFT CARDS. BRF ENSURES ALL OF THIS SUPPORT IS ACCOMPANIED BY PERSONAL TOUCHES, INCLUDING GREETING CARDS, PHONE CALLS, AND OTHER COMMUNICATION TO CHECK IN ON FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THEIR CANCER JOURNEYS- ALL DESIGNED TO ENSURE NO ONE FEELS ALONE IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST CANCER.CRITICAL NEEDS FUND: INITIALLY, FAMILIES ARE OFFERED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR A ONE-TIME PAYMENT, MADE DIRECTLY TO THE VENDOR, FOR SUCH NEEDS AS RENT OR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE TO STOP FAMILIES FROM BEING EVICTED, UTILITY BILLS TO KEEP THE HEAT OR WATER ON, OR MEDICAL BILLS.CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS: BECAUSE WE REALIZE THE WELLBEING OF CHILDREN BECOMES A MAIN CONCERN WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, WE CONCENTRATE A LARGE PORTION OF OUR EFFORTS ON ENSURING THE CHILDREN IMPACTED BY CANCER, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH THEIR OWN DIAGNOSIS OR THAT OF A FAMILY MEMBER, CONTINUE TO HAVE POSITIVE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES. WE HOLD ANNUAL PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE EASTER BASKETS, FULFILL HOLIDAY WISH LISTS, DELIVER ALL-INCLUSIVE THANKSGIVING DINNERS, AND OFFER SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BACKPACKS TO EACH FAMILY.BREAKING BARRIERS: AS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL BELOW, BREAKING BARRIERS ASSISTS IN REMOVING BARRIERS TO CANCER CARE, WITHOUT A ONE-YEAR LIMIT TO SERVICES. THE GREATEST NEED WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH THIS PROGRAM IS TRANSPORTATION, SO BRF PROVIDES RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR RECIPIENTS TO GET TO AND FROM CANCER TREATMENTS. CANCER TREATMENT SAVES LIVES- BUT ONLY THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO CAN SHOW UP. TRAGICALLY, TOO MANY CANCER PATIENTS LACK THE RESOURCES OR SUPPORT TO CONSISTENTLY ATTEND CANCER TREATMENT. THE PURPOSE OF BRF'S BREAKING BARRIERS PROGRAM IS TO TEAR DOWN OBSTACLES SO THAT CANCER PATIENTS CAN SHOW UP FOR THEIR LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT. OFTEN THIS PROGRAM SERVES A LIFELINE TO RECENTLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS TO RELY ON UNTIL THEY AND THEIR SOCIAL WORKERS CAN LOCATE AND APPLY FOR OTHER TRANSPORATION RESOURCES OR WHEN FAMILY MEMBERS OR SHUTTLE SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE ON CERTAIN DAYS OF TREATMENT. WITH AN EFFORT TO SUSTAIN AND ADVANCE THE BREAKING BARRIERS PROGRAM, BRF HAS HIRED A STAFF MEMBER TO COORDINATE SERVICES AS WELL AS FACILITATE COLLABORATION IN THE PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT BROADER SOLUTIONS TO THE TRANSPORTATION GAP. BRF PARTNERS WITH ROUNDTRIP HEALTH TO PROVIDE DOOR-TO-DOOR RIDE SERVICES FROM A PATIENT'S HOME TO THEIR TREATMENT FACILITY, TAKING AWAY THE ANXIETY OF LACK OF TRANSPORTATION. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LACK OF TRANSPORTATION DOES NOT STOP AT ANXIETY. IN FACT, EVEN JUST TWO MISSED RADIATION APPOINTMENTS INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD A CANCER SURVIVOR WILL EXPERIENCE A RECURRENCE OR DISEASE BY 9%. BUT, RESEARCH FROM THE SYDNEY KIMMEL CANCER CENTER AT JEFFERSON HEALTH IN PHILADELPHIA IDENTIFIED PATIENT-FOCUSED TRANSPORTATION PLATFORMS, LIKE ROUNDTRIP HEALTH THAT BRF UTILIZES, AS A SOLUTION ENSURES "ONCOLOGY PATIENTS ARE MORE COMPLIANT WITH TREATMENT REGIMENS." IN FACT, JEFFERSON HEALTH SOCIAL WORKERS REFER PATIENTS TO BRF'S BREAKING BARRIERS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES. ON TOP OF THE LASTING CRITICAL NEEDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO CANCER TREATMENT THAT EXISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, DOCTORS CONTINUE TO ADVISE CANCER PATIENTS NOT TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR OTHER SHARED RIDE OPTIONS, INCREASING THE NEED FOR SAFE, RELIABLE, PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION. TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING UNMET NEED, BREAKING BARRIERS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:DIRECT RIDES THROUGH ROUNDTRIP HEALTH: IF RIDES ARE NEEDED, BRF REGISTERS THE PATIENT IN THE ROUNDRTIP PORTAL SO THAT THE REFERRING PARTNER, USUALLY A HOSPITAL OR SOCIAL WORKER, CAN THEN SCHEDULE THE NECESSARY RIDES FOR THE PATIENT. BRF THEN PAYS THE COST DIRECTLY TO ROUNDTRIP. SINCE NOVEMBER 2018, BRF HAS PARTNERED WITH ROUNDTRIP. THIS INNOVATIVE COMPANY EMPOWERS HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO COORDINATE RIDES ONLINE AND WITH MOBILE TOOLS TO MAKE REQUESTING TRANSPORTATION SEAMLESS. IN 2021, BRF PROVIDED 5,603 RIDES THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AND IN 2022, THE PROGRAM GREW TO PROVIDE 7,000 RIDES THROUGH ROUNDTRIP. FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAMS IN GAINED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS, CORPORATE SPONSORS, FOUNDATION GRANTS, FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.
    Expenses $1,106,311 · grants $886,378

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
23-2916337
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1998
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$1,143,300
Income (IRS master file)
$1,747,658

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$1,569,686$1,272,619$1,143,300IRS
990-TDecember 2024–––IRS
990December 2023$1,239,848$1,424,719$846,233XML
990-TDecember 2023–––IRS
990December 2022$1,620,845$1,299,950$1,031,104IRS
990-TDecember 2022–––IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990-TDecember 2020–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-2916337).

Questions about THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION

What is the EIN of THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION?
The employer identification number (EIN) of THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION is 23-2916337.
Is THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1998.
Are donations to THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names MARY ELLEN FITZGERALD.
Who are the officers and directors of THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 12 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $85,000 (MARY ELLEN FITZGERALD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
How much revenue does THE BREATHING ROOM FOUNDATION have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $1,569,686, expenses of $1,272,619 and total assets of $1,143,300 at year end.

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