When launching a charitable initiative, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to...
Starting a mission-driven initiative often begins with a deeply personal experience. For many founders, the desire to help others facing similar challenges becomes the catalyst for meaningful change. That was exactly the case for The Caregiver's Journey, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping dementia caregivers navigate one of life's most difficult responsibilities.
Through practical tools, honest conversations, and a growing global community, The Caregiver's Journey is empowering caregivers with knowledge and support while demonstrating how fiscal sponsorship can help mission-driven projects launch and grow more effectively.
A Mission Born from Personal Experience
The Caregiver's Journey was founded by Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan, two leaders who had previously built successful careers in the software industry. Their understanding of impact changed dramatically when they became caregivers for loved ones living with dementia.
Sue cared for her husband through the final stages of Alzheimer's disease, as well as supporting her father and grandmother through similar journeys. Nancy supported her husband through Frontotemporal Dementia, helped care for her father-in-law with Alzheimer's, and assisted her father, who lived with Parkinson's.
Despite their professional experience solving complex problems, they quickly realized that caregiving resources were often difficult to use in real life. Many resources felt overly clinical, too abstract, or simply overwhelming for caregivers trying to manage day-to-day challenges.
So they decided to create the resource they wished they had: The Caregiver's Journey.
The initiative was designed to provide practical, honest, and easy-to-understand guidance for dementia family caregivers, helping them face daily challenges with confidence, patience, and peace of mind.
Providing Real-World Guidance for Caregivers
At the heart of The Caregiver's Journey is a 25-minute podcast focused on real caregiving situations, with new episodes released every other Tuesday. Each episode shares practical advice, stories, and actionable "do's and don'ts," delivered in a compassionate and relatable tone.
The project has expanded beyond the podcast to include:
- A companion blog for each episode
- Practical downloadable guides
- A website serving as a central hub for caregiving resources
- A 20-step roadmap to navigating dementia caregiving, available online
By addressing topics many people avoid—such as incontinence, taking away car keys, and managing hallucinations—the organization helps caregivers feel less isolated and more prepared for the realities they face.
Choosing Fiscal Sponsorship to Launch the Mission
As The Caregiver's Journey gained traction, Nancy and Sue realized that supporters wanted to contribute financially to help grow the initiative. However, the process of forming a nonprofit and obtaining 501(c)(3) status quickly proved complex and time-consuming.
Instead of navigating that process alone, they explored nonprofit fiscal sponsorship, a model that allows charitable initiatives to operate under the umbrella of an established nonprofit.
After researching several fiscal sponsors, they chose PPF for three key reasons:
- The People: The PPF team felt like trusted partners from the start
- Global Perspective: Dementia caregiving affects families worldwide, making international support important
- Value and Service: PPF offers comprehensive nonprofit services while maintaining strong support and affordability
Through fiscal sponsorship with PPF, The Caregiver's Journey was able to transition from a for-profit LLC to a nonprofit initiative with the ability to solicit tax-deductible donations. PPF helped connect them with legal support and manage compliance, tax responsibilities, and donation processing—removing the administrative barriers that had previously felt overwhelming.
Early Planning for Meaningful Impact
Nancy and Sue approached the launch of their initiative strategically. Before releasing their podcast publicly, they took important early steps to build credibility and value.
These included:
- Joining The Whole Care Network to better understand the caregiving landscape
- Developing a comprehensive website as a trusted resource hub
- Recording five full podcast episodes before launch to ensure listeners would have immediate value and content available
These thoughtful preparations allowed The Caregiver's Journey to launch with substance and purpose.
Rapid Growth and Global Recognition
In just 18 months, The Caregiver's Journey has grown into a thriving global resource for caregivers.
The initiative has reached more than 35,000 subscribers worldwide and received the 2025 Gold Stevie Award from the American Business Awards, with judges recognizing the organization's work addressing "a humanitarian crisis that has no medical solution in sight."
Additional milestones include:
- Certification by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
- Strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association and Emory University
Feedback from listeners highlights the impact of the initiative:
"This podcast is packed with practical tips delivered in a direct, non-embarrassing, and even humorous way."
"A go-to resource for all things caregiving."
The Power of the Right Support System
For Nancy and Sue, partnering with PPF has allowed them to stay focused on what matters most: supporting caregivers.
PPF manages critical back-office operations such as compliance, expenses, donation processing, and tax obligations—allowing the founders to dedicate their time and energy to helping families who are navigating dementia.
Their partnership was particularly meaningful during a difficult moment. When Nancy's husband passed away in December 2024, the organization wanted to accept donations in his honor, but their system was not yet fully set up. PPF quickly accelerated bank setup and managed donation processing so families could contribute immediately.
Moments like these reinforced the strength of the partnership.
Looking Ahead
The Caregiver's Journey continues to grow with ambitious goals for the future, including:
- Expanding global awareness of its resources
- Translating materials to reach caregivers in multiple languages
- Developing sustainable funding through grants, donors, and partnerships
- Building referral networks with healthcare providers and community organizations
Their message to other aspiring changemakers is simple: "Your authentic experience and genuine desire to help can become a powerful force for positive change."
Turning Experience into Impact
The story of The Caregiver's Journey shows how a deeply personal challenge can inspire a powerful movement. With the right support, passion and lived experience can grow into resources that help thousands of people around the world.
Through fiscal sponsorship with PPF, Nancy and Sue were able to transform their vision into a scalable nonprofit initiative, allowing them to focus on their mission while building a meaningful, lasting impact for caregivers everywhere.
