Cancer Research Grants

1,727 foundations$1.8B total annual giving$10K median grant52 states with funders

Discover 1,727 grantmaking foundations funding cancer research programs, with combined annual giving of $1.8B. The median grant size for cancer research is $10K.

Cancer Research Grantmaking at a Glance

Foundations

1,727

Total Annual Giving

$1.8B

Total Assets Under Management

$124.4B

Median Grant Size

$10K

States with Funders

52

Total Grants on Record

11,186

Open Grant Opportunities

Live programs funding cancer research that your nonprofit can apply to now.

Open nowCloses in 3 days (Sep 30, 2026)Award: Varies

Gala of Hope Foundation Grantmaking (Board-allocated Grants)

From Gala of Hope Foundation

Cancer researchCancer treatmentAccess to cancer care+3 more

Who can apply: Applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. Proposals must align with the Foundation’s cancer-related funding priorities and directly benefit individuals in the 14-county Dayton Region. The Foundation does not fund individuals, scholarships, travel, endowments, general operating or campaign support, debt relief, religious or political activities, government-responsibility projects, sponsorships, organizations based outside the United States, or discriminatory organizations.

Open nowCloses in 4 days (Oct 1, 2026)Award: Up to $25K

BCRFA Catalyst Award

From Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Al

Breast cancer researchBasic sciencePopulation science+5 more

Who can apply: Designed for early-career investigators conducting breast cancer research in Alabama. Up to one-half of the award may support predoctoral or postdoctoral salary. Researchers currently receiving BCRFA support are not eligible, and only one proposal per investigator may be funded at a time. UAB investigators may apply if eligible for the Catalyst Award. Funds otherwise may be used only for personnel, supplies, and services directly required for the project; indirect costs, publication costs, and travel are not allowed.

Open nowCloses in 5 days (Oct 2, 2026)Award: Up to $100K

BCRFA Annual Research Grants (including Collaborative Award)

From Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Al

breast cancer researchcollaborative researchbasic research+8 more

Who can apply: Proposals are accepted from research entities in Alabama. UAB researchers are directed to apply through the O'Neal Invests cycle rather than directly to BCRFA. The foundation funds one proposal per investigator at a time and does not fund investigators currently receiving BCRFA support. Funds cannot be used for investigator salaries, indirect costs, publication costs, or travel costs.

Open nowCloses in 8 days (Oct 5, 2026)Award: Up to $500K

2026 LCRF | AstraZeneca Research Award on Strategies Towards Improving the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

From Lung Cancer Research Foundation

Small cell lung cancerScreening and diagnosticsBiomarkers+4 more

Who can apply: Full eligibility requirements are provided in the RFP. Applicants may submit only one LCRF grant application per grant cycle.

Open nowCloses in 12 days (Oct 9, 2026)Award: $5K – $25K

Medical Research Grants (Cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)

From Wrobel Family Foundation

Cancer researchAlzheimer's researchParkinson's research

Who can apply: Applicant must be a nonprofit with IRS 501(c)(3) confirmation letter; projects must further the Foundation's mission and demonstrate competent management and measurable results. Preference to organizations in the D.C. area, Chicago, and Florida. Generally not for general operating support.

Open nowCloses in 18 days (Oct 15, 2026)Award: Varies

David B. Lichtenstein Foundation — General Grants to Missouri Charitable Organizations

From David B Lichtenstein Foundation

Cancer awarenessCancer research and clinical servicesDisability services+4 more

Who can apply: Proposals must support programs or special projects within the State of Missouri. Applicants should be charitable organizations. The foundation generally does not intend to provide annual operating support and does not generally seek to be the sole source of project funding.

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Deadlines and program details come from public sources and can change. Always confirm on the funder's official site before applying.

Largest Cancer Research Foundations

FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER

SEATTLE, WA

Annual Giving

$122.1M

Total Assets

—

Median Grant

$58K

H300National
THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETYINC

WASHINGTON, DC

Annual Giving

$47.7M

Total Assets

$532.2M

Median Grant

$303K

G300National
CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$24.2M

Total Assets

$129.6M

Median Grant

$243K

H300National
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC

Atlanta, GA

Annual Giving

$23.1M

Total Assets

$1.7B

Median Grant

$20K

G300National
THE MARK FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH (US) LTD

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$19.5M

Total Assets

$105.5M

Median Grant

$376K

G30National
ALEXS LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION

WYNNEWOOD, PA

Annual Giving

$19.1M

Total Assets

$40.6M

Median Grant

$148K

H30National
Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation

BOLINGBROOK, IL

Annual Giving

$12.6M

Total Assets

$3M

Median Grant

$100K

H30unknown
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc

BOSTON, MA

Annual Giving

$4.2M

Total Assets

$5.3B

Median Grant

$20K

H300Regional
CANCER FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA

SANTA BARBARA, CA

Annual Giving

$3.7M

Total Assets

$157.5M

Median Grant

$66K

G300Local
ALLIANCE NCTN FOUNDATION

CHICAGO, IL

Annual Giving

$3.6M

Total Assets

$4.5M

Median Grant

$24K

G30National

Explore Cancer Research Foundations

Loading foundations...

Cancer Research(locked)

Where Cancer Research Funders Are Located

Top 15 states by foundation count

New YorkView all
Foundations

182

Total Giving

$83M

FloridaView all
Foundations

155

Total Giving

$108.7M

CaliforniaView all
Foundations

147

Total Giving

$192.8M

Foundations

129

Total Giving

$256.4M

IllinoisView all
Foundations

101

Total Giving

$41.7M

PennsylvaniaView all
Foundations

92

Total Giving

$48.8M

New JerseyView all
Foundations

77

Total Giving

$235.7M

MissouriView all
Foundations

74

Total Giving

$47.3M

MassachusettsView all
Foundations

65

Total Giving

$102.8M

Foundations

58

Total Giving

$48.2M

MichiganView all
Foundations

44

Total Giving

$152.5M

NevadaView all
Foundations

43

Total Giving

$9.3M

DelawareView all
Foundations

38

Total Giving

$39.3M

ConnecticutView all
Foundations

35

Total Giving

$9.3M

MinnesotaView all
Foundations

34

Total Giving

$9.5M

Types of Foundations in Cancer Research

Family Foundation833 (48.2%)

$312.4M in annual giving

Independent Foundation460 (26.6%)

$240.3M in annual giving

Operating Nonprofit99 (5.7%)

$547.4M in annual giving

Private Operating Foundation72 (4.2%)

$4.3M in annual giving

Issue Fund64 (3.7%)

$97.9M in annual giving

Corporate Foundation33 (1.9%)

$23.5M in annual giving

Funding Intermediary28 (1.6%)

$99.3M in annual giving

Other138 (8.0%)

$462.2M in annual giving

Typical Grant Profile in Cancer Research

Median Grant Size

$10K

New Grantee Rate

38%

Accept Unsolicited Proposals

66%

Most Recent Filing Year

2026

The typical Cancer Research foundation awards grants of $10K. Approximately 38% of Cancer Research foundations actively fund new organizations, and 66% accept unsolicited proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cancer Research Grants

How many foundations fund cancer research?
There are 1,727 grantmaking foundations that fund cancer research programs across 52 states.
What is the median grant size for cancer research?
The median grant from foundations funding cancer research is $10K. Actual grant sizes vary widely depending on the foundation's size and giving strategy.
What are the largest cancer research foundations?
The largest foundations funding cancer research by annual giving include FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER, THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETYINC, CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC, with combined giving of $194M.
Which states have the most cancer research funders?
The states with the most cancer research foundations are New York (182), Florida (155), California (147). Use the geographic breakdown above to see the full distribution.
How do I find cancer research grants for my nonprofit?
Kindora's free funder database includes 1,727 foundations funding cancer research with IRS 990 financial data, grant history, and geographic reach. Use the interactive discovery table above to filter by state, foundation type, and grant size. Sign up for a free account to access AI-powered grant intelligence including fit scores and application tips.

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