About Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Lazarex Cancer Foundation primarily funds cancer research, clinical trial access and treatment programs at major academic cancer centers while also supporting local community health and social-service organizations in the Bay Area. Their portfolio pairs multi-hundred-thousand-dollar grants to university cancer centers and clinical research outfits with smaller, repeat awards to Contra Costa County nonprofits that address patient access, food security and supportive services. The foundation appears focused on closing gaps between cutting‑edge cancer care and underserved patients who need navigation and basic supports to participate in treatment.
Focus Areas
Clinical trial access and cancer research partnerships with academic medical centers (e.g., Drexel, Penn Abramson, USC Norris)Funding to community oncology research organizations and trial networks (e.g., US Oncology Research, MD Anderson collaborations)Support for Contra Costa County safety‑net and anti‑poverty services that enable cancer patient access (e.g., Monument Impact, Monument Crisis Center)Patient navigation, supportive care and social services that remove barriers to treatment (food, transportation, case management)
Who They Fund
people with cancer (clinical trial participants)
About Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s largest recent grants go to cancer centers and research partners that work on clinical trial access and oncology care. The single biggest award in the recent list is $395,000 to Drexel University, followed by $376,690 to USC Norris Cancer Center and $245,278 to Drexel University, showing repeated support for academic medical settings rather than one-off awards. The pattern extends to Penn Abramson, MD Anderson, and US Oncology Research LLC, which places the foundation squarely in cancer research partnerships and trial-network support. That health-focused grantmaking is paired with a second track in Contra Costa County, where the foundation funds community organizations that help patients and at-risk residents manage practical barriers around treatment. Grants to Monument Impact, Monument Crisis Center, Center for Human Development, and Village Community Center point to support for food security, navigation, and social services tied to access. The foundation’s portfolio therefore connects oncology research with the local supports that can make participation in care and trials more feasible.
What Lazarex Cancer Foundation Funds
In clinical trial access and oncology research, the foundation gave $395,000 to Drexel University for cancer-related work and $376,690 to USC Norris Cancer Center for cancer support. It also supported Penn Abramson with $175,610 and MD Anderson with $87,065, reflecting a clear emphasis on academic cancer centers. The foundation also backs trial-network infrastructure and enrollment-oriented research. US Oncology Research LLC received $86,400, a grant that sits alongside the university awards and points to collaboration with organizations that reach patients outside a single campus. A separate community-support line appears in Contra Costa County. Center for Human Development received $52,890, while Monument Impact and Monument Crisis Center each received $44,678, indicating funding for local services that can reduce practical barriers to care.
How Lazarex Cancer Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is moderate to substantial: the 25th percentile is $34,869, the median is $86,400, and the 75th percentile is $175,610. The recent list shows both large institutional grants and a cluster of smaller community awards in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. Several recipients repeat across years, including Drexel University, Monument Impact, Monument Crisis Center, Center for Human Development, and Village Community Center, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is led by Dana Dornsife and does not fund individuals. The record provided does not show an open application process.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$506K
Total Assets
$690K
Total Revenue
$865K
Total Expenses
$2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $35K and $176K, with a median of $86K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$86K
75th Percentile
$176K
Geographic Reach
Regional4 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Dana Dornsife
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