About
Little Giraffe Foundation

Since 2011, we’ve helped over 29,000 preemie babies and their families.

The Little Giraffe Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Chicago, dedicated to supporting parents and patients of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Since 2011, the foundation has delivered over 29,000 gift bags to an array of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), awarded nearly 150 support grants to dozens of hospitals across the country, and funded over $300,000 in medical research.

"We recently came home from a scary week in Evanston Hospital and wanted to share our thanks for the book and toy for our baby girl. No one is mentally prepared for the NICU and each story we heard helped calm our nerves. Thank you for being in our corner and helping all NICU patients and parents."

— Little Giraffe Foundation gift recipient (2022)

Little Giraffe Foundation Board

  • Amanda Santoro

    CO-FOUNDER

  • Mike Santoro

    CO-FOUNDER

  • Andy Strand

    DIRECTOR

  • Christa Reed

    DIRECTOR

  • Frank Bieszczat

    DIRECTOR

  • Gina Secrist

    DIRECTOR

  • Hannah Diaz

    Hannah Diaz

    DIRECTOR

  • Joe Slezak

    DIRECTOR

  • Kevin Secrist

    DIRECTOR

  • Mark Deming

    DIRECTOR

  • Meg Dedyne

    DIRECTOR

  • Mike Trumpy

    DIRECTOR

  • Shari Lewis

    DIRECTOR

  • Shauna Connelly

    DIRECTOR

Our History

The Little Giraffe Foundation was started by Amanda and Mike Santoro after they lost their daughter, Cheyenne. Amanda gave birth to twins, Evan and Cheyenne, 3 1/2 months early. Cheyenne passed away after 6 weeks in the NICU while her brother, Evan, survived 4 months in the NICU before coming home. In their words this is why they started the foundation.

"When we lost our daughter, Cheyenne, we were devastated by the feeling that the world had lost a great person. She was tough and determined, 590 grams of fight, but also a kind and caring little girl. She seemed to constantly worry about her twin brother, Evan, even at the expense of her own health. Cheyenne was destined to do great things and when she left us we wanted a way to realize that potential.

On March 28, 2011 we started the Little Giraffe Foundation to share that life with the world. The organization is dedicated to funding neonatal research and supporting patients and parents of the NICU.

It's an ambitious goal, but in meeting with neonatologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, and the myriad of other doctors in the NICU, we realized there is an opportunity for funding research to impact the quality of life after the NICU.

Additionally, having gone through this experience, we learned that there are parents who could use small things like a book to read to their baby, a camera to take pictures, or a holiday gift so they know they are not forgotten.

Most importantly, we know that Cheyenne would have dedicated her life to doing something to better the world. We wanted to see that happen."