About Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund
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.
Focus Areas
Cancer researchPancreatic cancerBreast cancerBrain tumors/glioblastomaProstate cancerMultiple myelomaOvarian cancerColorectal cancerPediatric and adolescent cancer supportEarly detection technologiesClinical trial supportPatient support services (meals, respite care, Warrior Packs)
Who They Fund
About Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund
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.
What Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund Funds
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.
How Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund Gives
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.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.4M
Total Assets
$254K
Total Revenue
$1.4M
Total Expenses
$1.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $26K, with a median of $21K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$21K
75th Percentile
$26K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
ROSEANN GIOVANATTO-SHAVER
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