Compass To Care - Executive Director

Mission

Compass to Care’s mission is to fund transportation, so children with cancer can get to critical treatment, no matter the distance. Compass to Care is the trusted nationwide leader in removing transportation barriers for children with cancer. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Compass to Care partners with hospitals and families across the country to ensure children can access the life‑saving treatment they need.

By funding reliable travel support, including gasoline and parking, Uber/Lyft, flights and lodging, Compass to Care delivers hope, stability, and healing when it matters most.

The background of Compass to Care is rooted in the personal experience of its founder, Michelle Ernsdorff‑May, who survived childhood kidney cancer. As a child, Michelle’s family struggled financially to travel to the specialized treatment she needed. One of the defining moments came when her father had to hitchhike more than 200 miles home from the Mayo Clinic after Michelle was unexpectedly hospitalized because the family could not afford transportation.

Her mother served as Michelle’s primary caregiver throughout her treatment while pregnant with her fourth child. Motivated by her family's experience, Michelle founded Compass to Care:
The Mike & Sandy Ernsdorff Childhood Cancer Foundation in 2010 to honor her parents and help families facing the same barriers. Since its founding, Compass to Care has grown into a nationwide nonprofit focused on removing transportation barriers for children with cancer. The organization funds transportation expenses through programs that cover Gas, parking, and train fare (ACCESS LIFE); rideshare transportation through Uber and Lyft (CARE & BACK™);

and airfare, lodging, and ground transportation for long‑distance treatment or clinical trials (Flights of Hope). Its work is designed to ensure that families can focus on their child’s care rather than the financial burden of getting to treatment.

The organization has grown significantly over its 16‑year history with an annual operating budget of over $700k today and a goal to exceed $1M. As funds are raised, impact is amplified. Today Compass to Care serves over 367 children, up from 150 children served in 2020. Shaped by a 9‑person board of directors, a 10‑person associate board, active volunteers and two internal staff – Chief Operations Officer and Manager of Programs – the opportunity for a new Executive Director is to build on a strong founder‑led legacy while guiding the organization into its next phase of growth, impact, and sustainability.

Compass to Care addresses a specific and critical barrier to pediatric cancer care: transportation. The next Executive Director has the opportunity to lead an organization whose impact is clear, helping ensure children can access life‑saving treatment regardless of where they live or their family’s financial circumstances.

Since its founding in 2010, Compass to Care has developed a recognized niche as a national nonprofit focused exclusively on transportation assistance for children with cancer. A new leader can strengthen partnerships with pediatric hospitals, oncology social workers, foundations, and corporate supporters while expanding the organization’s reach to serve more families.

The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to:

• Honor Michelle Ernsdorff‑May’s vision and the Ernsdorff family’s legacy.
• Preserve the organization’s mission‑driven culture.
• Introduce new strategies, systems, and innovations that position Compass to Care for long‑term sustainability beyond its founding generation.

The incoming leader can diversify and grow revenue through major gifts and planned giving, foundation and government grants, corporate partnerships and sponsor ships, national awareness campaigns, and individual donor engagement and recurring giving. Current funding streams include events, grants, and individual gifts. There is an opportunity to grow major gifts, create a planned…