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 543 Dreams in 2022.

Dreams by Age


Type of Dreams


Dreams by Condition


Dream recipients with children in the home

25%

Dreams using In-Kind donations

53%

Emergency Dreams served

13%

Dream deliveries

65%

Volunteer Hours

dream host

1,790

flower empower

4,901

toy program

408

total hours

7,099

total value of hours*

$212,615.05

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

DREAMS FOR VETERANS

Veterans Affairs Center for Development and Civic Engagement Director Prince Taylor pinned David with a commemorative Vietnam Veteran pin as the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard stood to attention.

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, active service members, and 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 2022, Dreams for Veterans served 59 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 2022, the Flower Empower program logged 4,901 volunteer hours and arranged 8,417 bouquets. The program also delivered 20,785 orchid plants and 1,125 orchid spikes throughout the community. 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 25 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 2022 our dedicated volunteers logged over 408 hours to fill boxes with 930 toys donated by Ty, Inc. and Turo, and these were delivered to 310 children in 136 families across the country.