Penny's Flight Foundation

WINGS KEEP SPREADING

Thanks to YOU, we hit our generous donor’s $100K match!

Together, the Penny’s Flight community raised over $1 million at our 3rd Annual Family Jamboree—fueling critical NF research and new initiatives:

Banbury Meeting at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (Oct 19–22): global experts tackling NF-related cognitive challenges
Longitudinal NF1 brain study to deepen understanding of neuro-cognitive deficits
Funding review for 2025 research proposals
Ongoing NF research support with the Children’s Tumor Foundation
Growth of the Penny Doerge Adaptive Academy at Hospital for Special Surgery
Expansion of Penny’s Flight Chapters—now 100+ strong nationwide

Your belief keeps us flying higher. We’ve only just begun.

—Kate, Chad, Henry & Frankie Doerge

WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO STORY

Merch Featured at Fam Jam 2025

Partnership Spotlight

BIG NEWS

We’re so proud to share that Penny’s Flight Foundation has been awarded a $125,000 general operating grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation as part of their global, employee-driven BX Gives Back Challenge!

This incredible gift, championed by the amazing Courtney Janssen, helps fuel our mission to raise awareness, fund critical research, and support families affected by Neurofibromatosis (NF).

With this contribution, we will continue to expand our impact, fund more NF research, and shine Penny’s light far and wide.

Thank you, Blackstone Charitable Foundation, for helping us soar—and for believing in a future where we will #endnf.

Learn more about BX Gives Back

Our Mission

The butterfly effect is a phenomenon in which a tiny event, like the flap of a butterfly’s wings, can result in a profound and far-reaching shift of circumstance. Through Penny’s story and bright light, the Penny's Flight Foundation aims to expand knowledge around NF, while inspiring others to find beauty in imperfection, positivity in the face of challenge, and faith over fear.

Read Our Annual Impact Report What We Fund

The Butterfly Effect

Discover how our impactful mission drives positive change for NF. Experience the ripple effects of our actions with the butterfly effect.

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About Penny

Penelope Griggs Doerge (June 29, 2006 - November 10, 2022) was a talented artist, fashionista, world traveler, social media influencer and the founder of “Glam Camp”, a summer program for young girls. In just 16 years, she lived a life full of purpose, passion and joy, and through her actions showed countless others how to live with grace.

Penny was a model of resilience, positivity and courage. Diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF1) as an infant, Penny never let this define her or hold her back. She lived her life “Walking on Sunshine”, in the words of her favorite song. Penny made an impact everywhere she went by shining her bright light. She was an inspiration and a teacher to people of all ages.

Penny is the daughter of Chad and Kate Doerge who created the Penny’s Flight Foundation shortly after Penny’s death in November 2022. The Foundation was created to advance medical research in NF1 and its related disorders, and to inspire others to live with positivity and humor and find the beauty and joy in all situations.

Penny's Joy Penny's Purpose

The Penny Doerge Adaptive Academy at HSS

The Penny Doerge Adaptive Academy (PDAA) at Hospital for Special Surgery organizes local, regional and national adaptive programs for kids and teens facing a range of disabilities. These events help patients realize new skills and interests, reinforce therapy goals and allow patients to socialize with other patients. Examples of past PDAA events include skiing, surfing and indoor rock climbing. These experiences encourage mobility and independence and often result in increased self-esteem, self-confidence and motivation to live fuller, more active lives, just like Penny did.

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Blog posts

Spotlight on NF Mom, Courtney Janssen

August 18, 2025
Summer of 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for Penny’s Flight. Thanks to an outpouring of generosity and growing awareness, we’ve not only raised critical funds for NF1 research—we’ve...

Spotlight on NF Mom, Courtney Janssen

August 18, 2025
Summer of 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for Penny’s Flight. Thanks to an outpouring of generosity and growing awareness, we’ve not only raised critical funds for NF1 research—we’ve...
Alivia Hill - Her Story with NF

June 23, 2025
My name is Alivia Hill. I am twenty-one years old and currently a junior at Indiana University in Bloomington. I am from Greenwood, Indiana, and I have five siblings in...

Alivia Hill - Her Story with NF

June 23, 2025
My name is Alivia Hill. I am twenty-one years old and currently a junior at Indiana University in Bloomington. I am from Greenwood, Indiana, and I have five siblings in...