Our Programs

Dream Program

"We know how important it is to make and store up lots of vivid memories. We know it's more than a vacation. We know it's a walk on sacred ground."

— Patricia Geyling, Dream recipient

Dream Foundation’s Dream program fulfills Dreams that provide inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life. A nationwide network of volunteers, hospices, health care organizations and committed donors helped us give life to 570 Dreams in 2021.

Dreams by Age

  • ⬤ 18-25 5%
  • ⬤ 26-35 7%
  • ⬤ 36-50 20%
  • ⬤ 51-65 35%
  • ⬤ over 65 33%

Type of Dreams

  • ⬤ Celebrity 5%
  • ⬤ Day Dream 4%
  • ⬤ Disneyland/Walt Disney World 4%
  • ⬤ Family Reunion 14%
  • ⬤ Quality Of Life 47%
  • ⬤ Sports 3%
  • ⬤ Vacation 23%
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Dreams by Condition

  • ⬤ Cancer 63%
  • ⬤ Heart Disease 12%
  • ⬤ Lung Disease 8%
  • ⬤ Liver Disease 1%
  • ⬤ ALS 2%
  • ⬤ Other 14%
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  • Dream recipients with children in the home 24%
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  • Emergency Dreams Served 17%
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  • Dreams using In-kind Donations 51%

  • Dream Deliveries 36%

Volunteer Hours

DREAM HOST

1,225

FLOWER EMPOWER

4,342

TOY PROGRAM

386

TOTAL HOURS

5,953

TOTAL VALUE OF HOURS*

$178,292.35

*Based on California Independent Sector’s value of volunteer time at $29.95/hour

Dreams for Veterans

"I just broke down and cried at the sight of it. Seeing the Arizona was the most wonderful thing I've ever had. It brought everything together at the end of my life."

— U.S. Navy veteran Eddie

Officially launched in Washington, D.C., in 2015, Dreams for Veterans tailors the Dream experience to veterans and their families. Dream recipients are U.S. military veterans who served in conflicts from World War II to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, those who have served during peacetime or who currently serve on active duty, including members of the Reserve and National Guard. Dreams for Veterans acknowledges veterans and honors their service by fulfilling their final Dream, providing them, their families and caregivers inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life. In 2021, Dreams for Veterans served 49 Dreams for those who selflessly served our nation.

On Veterans Day in 2016, Dream Foundation, the only national Dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, was honored to enter into a new strategic partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve the lives of veterans with life-limiting illnesses.

Through our Dreams for Veterans program, Dream Foundation and VA are working closely together to facilitate positive events, provide motivational support and fulfill final dreams for Veterans and their families. In addition, we are connecting to VA hospice care providers and palliative care social workers to offer resources to address some of the unique needs of veterans.

Flower Empower

"Coming out of a difficult oncology appointment, we were met in the lobby by such beautiful flowers. Their beauty and your kindness in providing them lifted a heavy load from my heart. The bouquet we were gifted was a shining light to bring home and it continued to lift our spirits."

— Flower Empower recipient Alison

Flower Empower is a Santa Barbara-based, volunteer-driven program. Since its inception in 1994, Flower Empower has served thousands of community members by providing more than 100,000 bouquets, fresh baked cookies, artisanal chocolates and cards to people in hospices, cancer centers and private homes. Each week, roughly 25 volunteers assemble 200 bouquets using donated flowers. In 2021, the Flower Empower program logged 4,342 volunteer hours and arranged 7,371 bouquets. Flower delivery referrals come from cancer centers, nurses, social workers, hospices, elder support organizations and the community at large.

Dream Toy Program

"The toys that were sent for my great niece and nephews were amazing. The box decorations brought tears to my eyes just thinking that a stranger would take the time and care to do that was so heartfelt. These definitely brought smiles to sad faces."

— Dream Toy Program recipient Patricia

Dream Foundation Dreams touch not only the lives of Dream recipients, but also those of their families. Nearly 30 percent of Dream recipients have young children living at home. Each year, Dream Foundation’s Dream Toy Program reaches hundreds of children who are losing a loved one. With each unexpected gift, we provide an opportunity to create happy memories and smiles. In 2021 our dedicated volunteers logged over 386 hours to fill boxes with 741 donated toys donated by Ty, Inc., and these were delivered to 247 children in 127 families across the country.