CaringBridge
| Type | Non-profit Social Network and Health Crisis Information Portal |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Structure | 16 Board Members 66 Paid Staff as of 2012 |
| Leadership | Sona Mehring, Founder Liwanag Ojala, Chief Executive Officer |
| Governance | Bill McKinney, Chair of the Board |
| Field | Health Crisis Support |
| Scope | Provide communication portals to families and friends during significant health crises |
| Website |
CaringBridge is a charitable 501 nonprofit organization established in 1997 which allows people facing various medical conditions and their family and friends to communicate. CaringBridge is the first non-profit social network with global reach whose mission is to connect loved ones during a health journey through personal, private websites. CaringBridge prioritizes privacy with no advertisements or selling of user data. People who are provided with an individual's personal website address and password can read updates on the individual's condition or post messages to the family as needed. CaringBridge is headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota. All CaringBridge sites are free and CaringBridge is funded by donor support. Since its inception, over 740,000 CaringBridge sites have been created by people all over the world.
Purpose
CaringBridge allows patients, caregivers, families, and friends to exchange information about a patient's medical condition on an ongoing basis. The websites are designed to become conduits between patients, their families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. When visiting an individual’s website, visitors can post messages of support, donate to GoFund Me accounts, or send donations.History
CaringBridge was created in 1997 by Sona Mehring when her close friend gave premature birth to a daughter. The site was intended to keep family and friends informed about the child.- 1997: Sona Mehring creates the original CaringBridge website
- 1998: More than 50 sites established on the platform
- 2000: Donor support begins
- 2001: Board of directors established
- 2002: Nonprofit status granted
- 2005: Donations reach $1 million
- 2006: More than 5,000 sites established
- 2007: First national media coverage
- 2009: Spanish-language support added
- 2012: 132,000 donors; 110 volunteers
Affiliations
- CaringBridge is a member of the National Health Council.
- CaringBridge is listed as an accredited Better Business Bureau charity.
- CaringBridge is affiliated with Community Health Charities of America.