In 2002, seven-year-old Henry Strongin Goldberg lost his battle against a rare genetic disease. In his memory, his parents created Hope for Henry, which brings innovative programming into hospitals to improve the experience for children and adolescents. Full-time Certified Child Life Specialists help them and their families cope with the anxiety of serious illness, providing therapeutic activities, explaining diagnoses, and minimizing fears. A patient incentive program gives kids Hope for Henry Bucks to undergo radiation, chemotherapy, or other painful but necessary procedures (bucks are exchanged for gifts) and Super Rewards for Super Kids rewards them for completing 14 scary but necessary medical procedures like MRIs, lumbar punctures, and IV placements. The program has already served 65,000 kids and is decreasing anxiety, reducing reliance on sedation, and, quite simply, making life better for children who are having a harder time than they should.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 3

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Statewide; VA-Statewide

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members


  • Number of children and families we have served:   100,000

Awards & Recognition

JWI Jewish Women to Watch Award (2018)
Capital One Bank Community Champions Award (2017)
EXCEL Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership, Center for Nonprofit Advancement (2016)
Flame of Hope Award, Georgetown Pediatrics (2015)
Chairman's Award, Children's National Medical Center (2013)
"Heroes Among Us," People Magazine (2015)
Star for Children Award, Children's Charities Foundation (2013)
Author, Saving Henry (Hyperion, 2010)
Contributing Author, The Story Within (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013)
Winner, WJLA-TV Toyota Tribute to Working Women Award (2005)


Press

Budget (FY2016)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Hope for Henry is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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