The mission of the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund is to assist and support the cancer community in Minnesota by funding research, prevention, treatment and other programs relating to the cancer community’s principal needs.
A defining feature of Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund is its steady support for Minnesota’s cancer community through both research and direct patient-and-family services. The largest recent grant in the record went to the University of Minnesota Foundation for cancer research, followed by another large research award the year before and a prior grant for multiple research projects across all cancer types. That pattern shows a funder that treats research as a core priority while also underwriting practical needs tied to treatment and care. Beyond research, the fund makes grants for cancer equipment, patient support, family meals, hospice respite, and camp-based programming. Recent awards also show support for cancer-prevention gear for Minnesota firefighters and for breast cancer education in underserved communities. The foundation’s grant list includes awards to Mayo Clinic for cancer equipment, Healthpartners Institute for infusion chairs, and Camp Breakaway for paid camp and meals for children with blood cancers and their siblings. Across the record, the giving reflects a Minnesota-centered approach with a mix of institutional research funding and community-based service grants.
Cancer research remains a major part of the portfolio. The foundation gave $1,044,518 to University of Minnesota Foundation in 2025 for cancer research, after a $905,900 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. It also funds treatment support inside clinical settings. In 2024, Healthpartners Institute received $30,000 for infusion chairs for cancer patients receiving treatment, and Centracare Health System received $23,884 in 2023 for four new infusion chairs for cancer patients. Family support and respite programming is another recurring theme. Camp Breakaway received $21,250 in 2024 for meals and lodging for 80 campers with blood cancers and their siblings, while Crescent Cove received $15,000 in 2024 to provide respite/hospice to children and support a family room expansion project. The foundation also backs breast cancer education; Breast Cancer Education Foundation received $9,593 in 2023 for education to underserved communities.
Typical grants cluster around a mid-five-figure level: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $20,625, and the 75th percentile is $26,250. The record also includes several much larger research grants, which push the annual total well above the typical award size. The same organizations appear across multiple years, including University of Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Firefighters Foundation, Indy Foundation, Camp Breakaway, Camp Kesem - University of Mn, and Allina Health Foundation, suggesting repeated support rather than one-off giving. The foundation operates an Annual Grant Program, accepts unsolicited applications, and funds nonprofit and public organizations.
$1.3M
$353K
$1.4M
$1.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $26K, with a median of $21K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$21K
75th Percentile
$26K
ROSEANN GIOVANATTO-SHAVER
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Grantmaking is entirely in Minnesota: 100% of grants in the record go to recipients in the HQ state, and Minnesota is also the top state by grant count. Minneapolis appears often through University of Minnesota Foundation, Camp Kesem - University of Mn, and Allina Health Foundation, while St. Cloud, Rochester, Apple Valley, Roseville, Otsego, Sauk Rapids, Brooklyn Center, and Plymouth also show up repeatedly. The profile reflects a local grantmaker with a statewide Minnesota footprint rather than multi-state or international giving.
The foundation funds cancer research, cancer prevention, cancer treatment, and community support programs. Recent grants include research at University of Minnesota Foundation, cancer equipment at Mayo Clinic, infusion chairs at Healthpartners Institute and Centracare Health System, and camp or respite programs for children and families.
Yes. Its Annual Grant Program accepts unsolicited applications from nonprofit and public organizations for projects that benefit Minnesota’s cancer community.
The grant-size distribution centers in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $20,625, and p75 is $26,250. Larger research grants also appear in the recent record.
Its giving is local and entirely Minnesota-based in the record provided. All 28 recent grants went to recipients in Minnesota, with frequent awards in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Rochester, Apple Valley, and other Minnesota cities.
Yes. University of Minnesota Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Minnesota Firefighters Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Indy Foundation, Camp Breakaway, Camp Kesem - University of Mn, and Allina Health Foundation also receive grants in multiple years.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to nonprofits or public entities with innovative and creative projects that will benefit Minnesota’s cancer community.
Deadline: Applications for 2025 grant consideration must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2025. The program follows an annual application cycle with a year-end postmark deadline (October 31).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,044,518 | 2025 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $80,000 | 2025 | CANCER EQUIPMENT |
| MINNESOTA FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION | OTSEGO, MN | $57,750 | 2025 | PREVENTER HOODS |
| INDY FOUNDATION | SAUK RAPIDS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | BACKPACK FOR PATIENT |
| CAMP BREAKAWAY | APPLE VALLEY, MN | $22,100 | 2025 | PAID CAMP FOR KIDS |
| JA WEDUM HOSPICE | PLYMOUTH, MN | $14,600 | 2025 | MEALS FOR FAMILIES |
| QUIET OAKS HOUSE & RESPITE CARE | ST CLOUD, MN | $13,000 | 2025 | FOOD FOR FAMILIES |
| CAMP KESEM - UNIVERSITY OF MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | PAID CAMP FOR KIDS |
| CENTRACARE HEALTH SYSTEM | ST CLOUD, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | INFUSION VEIN FINDER |
| ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE VEIN FINDERS |
| BREAST CANCER EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ROSEVILLE, MN | $7,400 | 2025 | BREAT CANCER AWARENE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $905,900 | 2024 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| MINNESOTA FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION | OTSEGO, MN | $52,500 | 2024 | PROVIDE INNOTEK PREVENTER HOODS TO PROTECT AGAINST CANCER CAUSING AGENTS |
| HEALTHPARTNERS INSTITUTE | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $30,000 | 2024 | INFUSION CHAIRS FOR CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING TREATMENT |
| INDY FOUNDATION | SAUK RAPIDS, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE WARRIOR BACKPACKS TO HOLD NECESSITIES |
| CAMP BREAKAWAY | APPLE VALLEY, MN | $21,250 | 2024 | PROVIDE MEALS AND LODGING FOR 80 CAMPERS WITH BLOOD CANCERS AND THEIR SIBLINGS |
| CRESCENT COVE | BROOKLYN CENTER, MN | $15,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE RESPITE/HOSPICE TO CHILDREN - FUNDS FOR MURPHY BED FOR FAMILY ROOM EXPANSION PROJECT |
| ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $14,600 | 2024 | PROVIDE DAILY MEALS TO FAMILIES OF PATIENTS AND FUNDS TO PURCHASE A PORTABLE LIFT |
| CAMP KESEM - UNIVERSITY OF MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2024 | CAMP FOR KIDS WHO HAVE PARENTS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER |
| BREAST CANCER EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ROSEVILLE, MN | $5,997 | 2024 | BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND EDUCATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $869,172 | 2023 | MULTIPLE RESEARCH PROJECTS ACROSS ALL CANCER TYPES |
| MINNESOTA FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION | OTSEGO, MN | $25,000 | 2023 | INNOTEK HOODS FOR MN FIREFIGHTERS TO PROTECT AGAINST CANCER CAUSING AGENTS |
| INDY FOUNDATION | SAUK RAPIDS, MN | $25,000 | 2023 | WARRIOR BACKPACKS FOR CANCER PATIENTS |
| CENTRACARE HEALTH SYSTEM | ST CLOUD, MN | $23,884 | 2023 | 4 NEW INFUSION CHAIRS FOR CANCER PATIENTS |
| CAMP BREAKAWAY | APPLE VALLEY, MN | $20,000 | 2023 | CAMP LODGING AND MEALS FOR KIDS WITH CANCER AND BLOOD DISORDERS |
| ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION | MINNEAPLOLIS, MN | $14,600 | 2023 | FOOD FOR FAMILIES WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE IN HOSPICE |
| CAMP KESEM - UNIVERSITY OF MN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2023 | CAMPS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO CANCER |
| BREAST CANCER EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ROSEVILLE, MN | $9,593 | 2023 | BREAST CANCER EDUCATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES |
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$1,044,518CANCER RESEARCH
MINNESOTA FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION
$57,750PREVENTER HOODS
INDY FOUNDATION
$25,000BACKPACK FOR PATIENT
CAMP BREAKAWAY
$22,100PAID CAMP FOR KIDS
JA WEDUM HOSPICE
$14,600MEALS FOR FAMILIES
QUIET OAKS HOUSE & RESPITE CARE
$13,000FOOD FOR FAMILIES
ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION
$10,000PROVIDE VEIN FINDERS
BREAST CANCER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$7,400BREAT CANCER AWARENE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$905,900CANCER RESEARCH
MINNESOTA FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION
$52,500PROVIDE INNOTEK PREVENTER HOODS TO PROTECT AGAINST CANCER CAUSING AGENTS
HEALTHPARTNERS INSTITUTE
$30,000INFUSION CHAIRS FOR CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING TREATMENT
INDY FOUNDATION
$25,000PROVIDE WARRIOR BACKPACKS TO HOLD NECESSITIES
CAMP BREAKAWAY
$21,250PROVIDE MEALS AND LODGING FOR 80 CAMPERS WITH BLOOD CANCERS AND THEIR SIBLINGS
PROVIDE RESPITE/HOSPICE TO CHILDREN - FUNDS FOR MURPHY BED FOR FAMILY ROOM EXPANSION PROJECT
ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION
$14,600PROVIDE DAILY MEALS TO FAMILIES OF PATIENTS AND FUNDS TO PURCHASE A PORTABLE LIFT
CAMP FOR KIDS WHO HAVE PARENTS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
BREAST CANCER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,997BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND EDUCATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$869,172MULTIPLE RESEARCH PROJECTS ACROSS ALL CANCER TYPES
MINNESOTA FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION
$25,000INNOTEK HOODS FOR MN FIREFIGHTERS TO PROTECT AGAINST CANCER CAUSING AGENTS
INDY FOUNDATION
$25,000WARRIOR BACKPACKS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
CAMP BREAKAWAY
$20,000CAMP LODGING AND MEALS FOR KIDS WITH CANCER AND BLOOD DISORDERS
FOOD FOR FAMILIES WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE IN HOSPICE
CAMPS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO CANCER
BREAST CANCER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$9,593BREAST CANCER EDUCATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES