To advance survivorship and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, education and access programs.
Lung Cancer Initiative’s giving centers on lung cancer survivorship, support, and access, with a mix of research awards and direct patient assistance. Among the largest recent grants are multi-year research awards to the University of North Carolina and Wake Forest University Health, alongside fellowships that support trainees building careers in lung cancer research. The foundation also backs community-facing work: Atrium Health Foundation received both research and REACH support, and Lungevity Foundation appears in multiple recent years as a research partner. Their portfolio suggests a funder that moves between the clinic, the lab, and the community. On one side are investigator-focused grants for basic science, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and survivorship. On another are programs aimed at patients who need help with transportation, healthy food, or other non-medical expenses. Community access grants also point to a practical emphasis on screening, radon mitigation, and reducing barriers to care. The recent record shows repeated support for North Carolina institutions, with regional grantmaking that stays closely tied to lung cancer care and research in the state.
In research funding, Lung Cancer Initiative backs both established teams and early-career investigators. Recent awards include $25,000 to Unc Greensboro for an innovation grant and $25,000 to East Carolina University for research funding. The foundation’s fellowship and career-development programs show a separate track for trainees and emerging research leaders. The organization also supports access and outreach projects. It gave $10,000 to Kinston Community Health Center for a REACH grant, and another $10,000 to Cone Health for a REACH grant. These awards align with community-based work that improves access to prevention resources and care. Patient support is another clear area. Through the Patient Emergency Fund, the foundation provides direct financial assistance for healthy foods, transportation, and other non-medical costs tied to lung cancer care.
Typical award sizes cluster around modest-to-midrange grants: p25 is $13,750, the median is $29,000, and p75 is $59,375. The recent record also includes larger, structured awards such as $150,000 career development grants and five-figure research fellowships and access grants. Multiple grantees recur across years, including UNC, Duke University, Wake Forest University Health, Atrium Health Foundation, East Carolina University, and Lungevity Foundation. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time awards. The foundation funds organizations, not individuals, and its programs include both unsolicited opportunities and named awards that are not open for unsolicited requests.
$1.2M
$1.3M
$1.3M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $14K and $59K, with a median of $29K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$29K
75th Percentile
$59K
About 71% of grants go to recipients in NC.
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Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in North Carolina, which accounts for 71% of grants. Recent awards reached Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greenville, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Asheville, Morehead City, and Kingston, showing a wide in-state spread rather than a single-city focus. Outside the state, recent recipient locations include Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia, but every recent grant was to a U.S. recipient.
The foundation supports lung cancer research, survivorship support, patient financial assistance, community education and screening, clinical trials and research partnerships, and health disparities and access programs. Recent grants also show support for provider education and community-based REACH projects.
Typical awards cluster around a median of $29,000, with a p25 of $13,750 and a p75 of $59,375. The portfolio also includes $150,000 career development awards and smaller access and community grants.
No. Alongside research grants and fellowships, it funds patient emergency assistance, community REACH grants, access grants, and provider education sponsorships. The active programs include the Patient Emergency Fund and community-based access projects.
Yes. UNC, Wake Forest University Health, Duke University, Atrium Health Foundation, East Carolina University, and Lungevity Foundation all appear in multiple recent grants, showing repeated support across years and program types.
North Carolina is the main geography for grantmaking, accounting for 71% of grants. Recent recipients in the state include organizations in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greenville, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Asheville, Morehead City, and Kingston.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC | ATLANTA, GA | $112,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH FELLOWS |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $87,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH FELLOWS |
| DUKE | CHARLOTTE, NC | $37,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH FELLOWS |
| LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $34,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| UNC GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | INNOVATION GRANT |
| ECU | GREENVILLE, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH FELLOWS |
| ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTE, NC | $12,420 | 2025 | RESEARCH FELLOWS |
| CRYSTAL COAST CANCER REHAB CENTER | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | REACH GRANT |
| CONE HEALTH | GREENSBORO, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | REACH GRANT |
| KINSTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | KINGSTON, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | REACH GRANT |
| LOVELIGHTS FUND | ASHEVILLE, NC | $6,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA | ATLANTA, GA | $237,500 | 2024 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $87,500 | 2024 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $50,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $33,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTE, NC | $25,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH & REACH |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, NC | $12,500 | 2024 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| OUTER BANKS HOSPITAL | GREENVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | REACH GRANT |
| HEALING PINES RESPITE | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | REACH GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA | ATLANTA, GA | $187,500 | 2023 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $62,500 | 2023 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $33,000 | 2023 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, NC | $25,000 | 2023 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
| ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTE, NC | $17,500 | 2023 | RESEARCH & REACH |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $12,500 | 2023 | RESEARCH FUNDING |
UNC
$112,500RESEARCH FELLOWS
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$87,500RESEARCH FELLOWS
DUKE
$37,500RESEARCH FELLOWS
LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION
$34,000RESEARCH FUNDING
LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$25,000RESEARCH FUNDING
UNC GREENSBORO
$25,000INNOVATION GRANT
ECU
RESEARCH FELLOWS
ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION
$12,420RESEARCH FELLOWS
CRYSTAL COAST CANCER REHAB CENTER
$10,000REACH GRANT
CONE HEALTH
$10,000REACH GRANT
KINSTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
$10,000REACH GRANT
LOVELIGHTS FUND
$6,000GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
$237,500RESEARCH FUNDING
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$87,500RESEARCH FUNDING
DUKE UNIVERSITY
$50,000RESEARCH FUNDING
LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION
$33,000RESEARCH FUNDING
ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION
$25,000RESEARCH & REACH
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$12,500RESEARCH FUNDING
OUTER BANKS HOSPITAL
$10,000REACH GRANT
HEALING PINES RESPITE
$10,000REACH GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
$187,500RESEARCH FUNDING
DUKE UNIVERSITY
$62,500RESEARCH FUNDING
LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION
$33,000RESEARCH FUNDING
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$25,000RESEARCH FUNDING
ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION
$17,500RESEARCH & REACH
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$12,500RESEARCH FUNDING