About American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
ACS CAN is a grassroots advocacy organization that supports evidence-based public policy to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by advancing access to care, accelerating cures, promoting prevention and early detection, and pursuing health equity.
Focus Areas
Access to biomarker testingCancer research fundingClinical trial enrollment and accessCancer preventionEarly detectionTobacco controlPatient quality of life
Who They Fund
uninsured/low-income individuals eligible for MedicaidLGBTQ+ populationsyouth advocates/young peoplecommunity-based organizations and coalitionsadvocacy groups and professional/Institute members
About American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc uses grantmaking to support advocacy and public-policy work tied to cancer prevention, access to care, and health equity. A defining feature of the recent record is the large Medicaid-expansion and health-coverage awards, including $600,000 to Georgia First Inc for Medicaid Expansion Outreach and $300,000 to Black Voters Matter for Health Care Coverage. The foundation also backs clinical study and biomarker-related work, reflecting a mix of policy, outreach, and research-adjacent support. Its portfolio reaches advocacy groups, community coalitions, medical associations, and university partners. Among the larger research-oriented grants are $147,984 to UT Southwestern Harold C Simmons Cancer Ctr for a Clinical Study Grant and $116,660 to National LGBT Cancer Network for LGBTQ+ Health Issues. Alongside those, the funder makes repeated sponsorship and membership awards to national policy and professional organizations, suggesting a relationship-based approach to field building as well as issue-specific grants. The recent grants list also shows support for tobacco-control and early-detection-related efforts through named advocacy partners.
What American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Funds
In health coverage work, the foundation backed multiple organizations with six-figure and mid-five-figure grants, including $300,000 to Georgia First Inc for Health Care Coverage, $275,000 to Together for Hope for Health Care Coverage, and $75,000 to Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy for Health Care Coverage. Medicaid expansion outreach appears as a distinct tactic, with $600,000 to Georgia First Inc and $65,000 to Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. The funder also supports cancer-related research and screening access. It gave $147,984 to UT Southwestern Harold C Simmons Cancer Ctr for a Clinical Study Grant and $30,000 to Touch4Life for Biomarker Outreach. Community health equity shows up in grants such as $40,000 to North Carolina Alliance for Health for Community Health and $25,000 to Equal Hope for Community Health. Tobacco control is present through $25,000 to Campaign For Tobacco - Free Kids for Youth Advocate Award.
How American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Gives
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $13,750, median of $25,000, and p75 of $45,000. The grant list shows repeated support to some recipients across 2024 and 2025, including Georgia First Inc, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Center Forward, Apaics, and Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The organization is classified as a Pure DAF Provider and does not fund individuals. The recent record includes sponsorships, annual program membership, conference sponsorship, and issue-specific outreach and advocacy grants.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$503K
Total Assets
$20.5M
Total Revenue
$11.5M
Total Expenses
$12.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $14K and $45K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$45K
Geographic Reach
National17 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
LISA A LACASSE
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