
Our mission is to accelerate the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases.
A $10,240,000 grant to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for cancer immunotherapy research is the largest recent award on file for Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and it sets the tone for a funder built around large, targeted research support. The foundation backs work aimed at advancing immune therapies, with cancer immunotherapy at the center of its giving and translational research woven through its active programs. Recent grants also show repeated support for major academic medical centers such as the University of Pennsylvania, Weill Cornell Medicine, Stanford University, and the Regents of the University of California San Francisco, indicating a portfolio that favors established research institutions working on immune-based cancer treatments. The institute’s program descriptions point to collaborative networks, pilot funding, and investigator-focused awards, including an Early Career Researcher Awards program for next-generation talent. Across its recent grants, the pattern is not small project philanthropy; it is institutional research funding intended to move immunotherapy studies toward clinical use.
Cancer immunotherapy is the dominant theme in the grant list, with support to the University of Pennsylvania for cancer immunotherapy research and additional funding to Weill Cornell Medicine for the same purpose. The institute also supports translational work through Stanford University, where a recent grant was again dedicated to cancer immunotherapy research. Collaborative and networked science appears in the general grants and collaborative programs, which are described as funding catalytic and pilot grants, partnered multi-institutional programs, team science, biomarkers, and clinical trials. Early-career development is another clear line of support: the Early Career Researcher Awards program is aimed at early-stage investigators in cancer immunotherapy and is described as providing financial support along with access to technology and network resources.
Typical grants are substantial: the p25 is $326,084, the median is $549,548, and the p75 is $2,583,661. The recent record shows both repeat recipients and multi-year support, with several institutions appearing in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern fits a regular funder with project-based, investigator-initiated, and collaborative grantmaking rather than one-off charity grants. The organization also makes program-related investments. Active programs include unsolicited Early Career Researcher Awards and broader general grants and collaborative programs that can be targeted calls or by-invitation projects.
$28.1M
$223.9M
$66.9M
$54.5M
Most grants fall between $326K and $2.6M, with a median of $550K.
25th Percentile
$326K
Median
$550K
75th Percentile
$2.6M
SEAN PARKER
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Grantmaking is national, and every recent grant in the provided set went to U.S. recipients. Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, driven in part by repeated awards to Philadelphia institutions including the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Other frequent recipient locations include Boston, New York, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Seattle, and Saint Louis. California accounts for 42% of grants given to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, showing a substantial but not exclusive concentration there.
The foundation funds cancer immunotherapy research, with related emphasis on translational research, team science, biomarkers, and clinical trials. Its active programs also include Early Career Researcher Awards and general grants and collaborative programs for multi-institutional work.
The typical grant size is large: the 25th percentile is $326,084, the median is $549,548, and the 75th percentile is $2,583,661. Recent grants also include awards in the multi-million-dollar range.
Yes. Its Early Career Researcher Awards are described as support for early-career investigators in cancer immunotherapy, with financial support plus access to technology and network resources. A recent announcement referenced awards up to $2.9 million to eight investigators.
No. The geographic scope of giving is national, and recent grants went to institutions in several states, including Pennsylvania, New York, California, Washington, Missouri, and Texas.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE INC | BOSTON, MA | $5,425,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $4,977,086 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $4,666,368 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | PALO ALTO, CA | $3,582,836 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,099,545 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| THE J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,685,423 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| FHCRC - HUTCHINSON | SEATTLE, WA | $999,377 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $750,146 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $623,478 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $377,267 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CITY OF HOPE | DUARTE, CA | $333,333 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $256,241 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $167,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $122,117 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $28,755 | 2025 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $5,003,730 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | PALO ALTO, CA | $2,947,554 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| THE J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,644,109 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $623,479 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCI | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $614,626 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| FHCRC - HUTCHINSON | SEATTLE, WA | $528,249 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $360,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CITY OF HOPE | DUARTE, CA | $333,333 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $304,336 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $278,726 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $203,737 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $125,124 | 2024 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,240,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| THE J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,563,512 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $998,477 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCI | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $615,201 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | PALO ALTO, CA | $556,995 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $551,172 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY | RENTON, WA | $547,924 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $441,669 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| FHCRC - HUTCHINSON | SEATTLE, WA | $420,457 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $399,355 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $360,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $121,001 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
| BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CITY OF HOPE | DUARTE, CA | $21,600 | 2023 | SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY |
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE INC
$5,425,000SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE
$4,977,086SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN
$3,099,545SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
THE J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
$2,685,423SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
$750,146SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$377,267SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
$256,241SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
THE J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
$2,644,109SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCI
$614,626SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
$304,336SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE INC
$10,240,000SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
THE J DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
$2,563,512SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCI
$615,201SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
$121,001SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN FIELD OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY