The mission of the Aiming For A Cure Foundation is to support children and families who are dealing with difficult times and decisions in local communities by improving quality of life through funding research, covering non‑insured expenses, and improving patient care for those affected by cancer.
Aiming for a Cure Foundation centers its giving on children and families facing pediatric cancer, with most support flowing to hospitals and affiliated programs in Iowa. The foundation’s recent grants show a consistent pattern of direct program funding for patient care, family assistance, and child-focused supports rather than individual awards. One of the largest grants on file is $151,500 to the University of Iowa Foundation for pediatric support, alongside $97,500 through UI Center for Advancement and $73,100 to Unity Point Health in Cedar Rapids. Across the recent grants list, the foundation backs practical services that affect treatment and daily life: financial assistance for families, school re-entry support, mental health programming, memory-making activities, and child life services. Grants to Mercy Medical Center and Blank Children’s Hospital also fit this pattern, with funding directed to pediatric and family support programs. Camp-based support is part of the portfolio as well, including Camp Heart Connection and Camp Kesem, which serve children affected by cancer in family settings. The foundation’s grantmaking is local in scope and heavily concentrated in Iowa recipients.
Aiming for a Cure Foundation’s cause areas are closely tied to pediatric cancer care and the family experience around treatment. In hospital-based support, it gave $66,000 in 2025 to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids and $30,000 in 2025 to Blank Childrens Hospital Foundation in Des Moines for pediatric support programs. The foundation also funds adolescent and young adult services: its support for UHC AYA Center in Cedar Rapids reflects that age-specific focus. Family support is another clear theme. The Above & Beyond Center received $10,000 in 2025 for lodging assistance for patients and families traveling within Iowa for treatment. Camp-based programming also appears in the grant list, with Camp Kesem funded to support children whose parents are dealing with cancer. These grants point to a mix of clinical, psychosocial, and practical aid rather than a single program type.
Recent grants cluster around mid-sized awards, with a typical size profile of $17,938 at the 25th percentile, $38,375 at the median, and $63,375 at the 75th percentile. The foundation’s recent activity includes both larger hospital grants and smaller program awards, suggesting a portfolio that mixes recurring institutional support with targeted project funding. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including University of Iowa Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, Unity Point Health, Blank Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Camp Kesem. The foundation funds organizations rather than individuals, and the listed programs show no unsolicited-application pathway.
$394K
$303K
$527K
$595K
Most grants fall between $18K and $63K, with a median of $38K.
25th Percentile
$18K
Median
$38K
75th Percentile
$63K
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Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in Iowa, which accounts for 90% of grants in the foundation’s own state and aligns with its local giving scope. Recent awards land most often in Cedar Rapids, with additional recipients in Iowa City and Des Moines. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 20 grants in the United States and none elsewhere. Among the city-specific patterns, Cedar Rapids appears repeatedly through health-system and community cancer-center support.
Its active programs include pediatric oncology, family support services, cancer research funding, patient care and child life programs, mental health and school re-entry support, and camp and respite programs. The recent grants also show support for hospital-based pediatric services and family assistance tied to cancer treatment.
No. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds organizations and programs rather than individuals, with grants going to hospitals, hospital foundations, and nonprofit partners.
The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $17,938, a median of $38,375, and a 75th percentile of $63,375. Recent awards also include larger grants above $90,000 and smaller program grants around $10,000.
It gives most often in Iowa, and 90% of grants are made to recipients in Iowa. Recent recipient cities include Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Des Moines.
Yes. Several organizations appear in more than one year, including University of Iowa Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, Unity Point Health, Blank Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Camp Kesem. That pattern suggests repeated support for a set of partner institutions and programs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIAWATHA BANK AND TRUST COMPANY | HIAWATHA, IA | $148,800 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION | IOWA CITY, IA | $73,700 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA CITY, IA | $70,000 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| MERCY MEDICAL CENTER | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $59,500 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| UNITY POINT HEALTH | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $20,500 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNNECTION | JOHNSTON, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| CAMP KESEM | CULVER CITY, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| ABOVE AND BEYOND CENTER | DES MOINES, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT |
| Hiawatha Bank and Trust Company | Hiawatha, IA | $98,485 | 2025 | — |
| UI Center for Advancement | — | $97,500 | 2025 | — |
| Mercy Medical Center | Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,000 | 2025 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| University of Iowa Foundation | Iowa City, IA | $61,500 | 2025 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Blank Childrens Hospital Foundatio | Des Moines, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Unity Point Health | Cedar Rapids, IA | $20,500 | 2025 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Camp Kesem | Culver City, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Above & Beyond Center | West Des Moines, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | — |
| University of Iowa Foundation | Iowa City, IA | $151,500 | 2024 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Unity Point Health | Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,500 | 2024 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| UHC Community Care Program | Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,250 | 2024 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Mercy Medical Center | Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,000 | 2024 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Camp Kesem | Culver City, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Blank Childrens Hospital Foundatio | Des Moines, IA | $3,022 | 2024 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Unity Point Health | Cedar Rapids, IA | $73,100 | 2023 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| UHC Child Life Program | Cedar Rapids, IA | $42,500 | 2023 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| UHC Community Care Program | Cedar Rapids, IA | $34,250 | 2023 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| Blank Childrens Hospital Foundatio | Des Moines, IA | $22,600 | 2023 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| UHC AYA Center | Cedar Rapids, IA | $22,000 | 2023 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
| UHC Holden Comprehensive Cancer Cen | Cedar Rapids, IA | $10,250 | 2023 | Cash grants were made to support pediatr |
HIAWATHA BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
$148,800CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
$73,700CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
$70,000CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
MERCY MEDICAL CENTER
$59,500CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
UNITY POINT HEALTH
$20,500CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNNECTION
$10,000CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
CAMP KESEM
$10,000CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
ABOVE AND BEYOND CENTER
$10,000CASH GRANTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT
Hiawatha Bank and Trust Company
$98,485UI Center for Advancement
$97,500Mercy Medical Center
$66,000Cash grants were made to support pediatr
University of Iowa Foundation
$61,500Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Blank Childrens Hospital Foundatio
$30,000Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Unity Point Health
$20,500Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Camp Kesem
$10,000Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Above & Beyond Center
$10,000University of Iowa Foundation
$151,500Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Unity Point Health
$62,500Cash grants were made to support pediatr
UHC Community Care Program
$50,250Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Mercy Medical Center
$49,000Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Camp Kesem
$10,000Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Blank Childrens Hospital Foundatio
$3,022Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Unity Point Health
$73,100Cash grants were made to support pediatr
UHC Child Life Program
$42,500Cash grants were made to support pediatr
UHC Community Care Program
$34,250Cash grants were made to support pediatr
Blank Childrens Hospital Foundatio
$22,600Cash grants were made to support pediatr
UHC AYA Center
$22,000Cash grants were made to support pediatr
UHC Holden Comprehensive Cancer Cen
$10,250Cash grants were made to support pediatr