Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You don't apply directly with us — your hospital social worker starts the process. If your family is being treated for childhood cancer at Children's Hospital Nebraska or UNMC/Nebraska Medicine, ask your social worker about Lanterns of Hope if they haven’t mentioned it already. They'll connect us if it’s the right fit, and we take it from there.

Any family fighting childhood cancer being treated at Children's Nebraska or UNMC. There's no income requirement and no complicated eligibility checklist — if you're going through this, we want to help.

It does not matter where you live. You do not need to live in Omaha nor Nebraska. We've helped families from across Nebraska, western Iowa, and beyond — including Colorado, Missouri, South Dakota, and Kansas. What matters is that your child is being treated at Children's Nebraska or UNMC.

Everyday living expenses — the bills that don't stop just because your child got sick: rent or mortgage, utilities, gas, car payments, and other essentials.

Fast. Bills are often paid within 48 hours, sometimes the same day. We know a delay can mean a missed payment or a shut-off notice, so we move quickly.

It depends. As of 2026, each family can apply for $2,000 every six months ($4,000 per year) depending on their needs.

Yes. Lanterns of Hope is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible. Our EIN number is #26-2532182.

Straight to families. Over 95% of every dollar donated goes directly to paying a family's bills. We pay the vendor directly on the family's behalf, so your donation isn't sitting in overhead — it's covering a real bill, for a real family, fast.

We do one thing, and we do it fast: pay the everyday bills of families fighting childhood cancer, direct to the vendor, often within 48 hours. We're not duplicating the work of groups like Ronald McDonald House or Camp Coholo — we work alongside them, and alongside your hospital social worker, as the fast-response piece of a bigger circle of support.

Yes, families can apply twice per year for assistance of $2,000 each time for a total of $4,000 of support each year. Families can apply multiple years in a row as long as their child is being treated at Children’s Hospital Nebraska or UNMC/Nebraska Medicine.

We primarily support families receiving childhood cancer treatment through Children’s Nebraska and Nebraska Medicine. If you are a Nebraska or Southwest Iowa resident receiving treatment at another pediatric oncology center, please reach out to us so we can consider supporting families at that location.

Our assistance is focused on families during active treatment, when the financial impact of childhood cancer can be especially challenging.

There are many ways to bring hope to families beyond making a financial gift! You can volunteer at an event, host a fundraiser, become a corporate or community partner, donate goods or services, serve on a committee, or help spread the word about Lanterns of Hope. Every connection helps us reach more families and build a stronger community of support. Contact us to find the opportunity that’s right for you.

Yes! Lanterns of Hope welcomes many forms of support beyond cash donations, including in-kind gifts, stocks and securities, donor-advised fund grants, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), and other assets. Contact us to discuss your gift and how we can help make the process simple.

Absolutely! We welcome partnerships with businesses and organizations that want to make a meaningful difference for families facing childhood cancer. Opportunities include event sponsorships, corporate giving, employee giving and matching programs, in-kind support, and customized partnerships. Contact us to explore how your company can help bring hope and relief to families when they need it most.

It might! Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double—or even triple—the impact of your donation to Lanterns of Hope. Check with your employer or benefits team to see if your gift is eligible. If they need information or documentation from us to complete the match, please contact us—we’re happy to help.

Yes. Lanterns of Hope is the same organization, same EIN #26-2532182, same tax-exempt status — just a new name. Formally and legally we are Metro Area Youth Foundation doing business as (dba) Lanterns of Hope.

We started in 2006, when three Omaha-area couples came together after Optimist International pledged $1 million to pediatric cancer research at Johns Hopkins. What began as a handful of local Optimist clubs raising money has grown, over 20 years, into a foundation that's paid over $1.6 million in bills directly for families fighting childhood cancer.

Yes! Lanterns of Hope hosts fundraising events throughout the year that bring our community together to support families affected by childhood cancer. Visit our Events page to see what’s coming up, purchase tickets, or learn how you can get involved. We’d love to have you join us!

Our financial assistance is focused on families during active treatment, when the financial impact of childhood cancer can be especially challenging. Once treatment has ended, families are generally no longer eligible for direct financial assistance. However, we encourage you to contact us if you have questions about your situation or would like help connecting with other resources.

Every dollar is tracked, and our 990 filings and Annual Reports are posted publicly on this site for your viewing. Our board oversees every dollar, and only two individuals are paid for specific services — everyone else is a volunteer.