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The V Foundation

EIN 13-3705951 · Cary, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE FUND GAME-CHANGING RESEARCH AND ALL-STAR SCIENTISTS TO ACCELERATE VICTORY OVER CANCER AND SAVE LIVES.

Income
$61.6 million
Spending
$70.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
91
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$632,277, chief executive officer thr: 8/25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    41 of 42 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $60.7 million spent. IN FY 2025, THE FOUNDATION AWARDED 37 V SCHOLAR GRANTS TO IDENTIFY, RETAIN AND FURTHER THE CAREERS OF TALENTED YOUNG INVESTIGATORS, 17 GRANTS IN TRANSLATIONAL CLINICAL RESEARCH, 11 GAME-CHANGER (DESIGNATED) GRANTS INSPIRED BY PARTICULAR AREAS OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST AND/OR GEOGRAPHIC REACH, 22 ALL-STAR GRANTS TO REINVEST IN PREVIOUS V SCHOLAR OR TRANSLATIONAL GRANT RECIPIENTS, AND 2 MISSON GRANTS SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS TO ADVANCE RESEARCH PROCESSES. THESE GRANTS WERE AWARDS TO RESEARCHERS AT LEADING INSTITUTIONS ACROSS 27 STATES AND CANADA. THE V FOUNDATION ENSURES THAT RESOURCES REACH THE BEST AND MOST PROMISING CANCER RESEARCHERS AND PROJECTS. WE ASSURE DONORS THAT THEY ARE MAKING A SOUND INVESTMENT BECAUSE WE TAKE A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO OUR FUNDING. WE FOCUS ON EMERGING, HIGH-IMPACT OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESS CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE GAPS IN SCIENCE. WE REALIZE THAT, FOR SOMEONE AT RISK OF CANCER OR ALREADY BEING TREATED FOR IT, TIME IS CRITICAL. THERE IS NOT A MOMENT TO LOSE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.