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The Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute

EIN 23-2929823 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE INSTITUTE IS TO CONDUCT CANCER RESEARCH, DIAGNOSIS, AND EDUCATION IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ABRAMSON CANCER CENTER.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
26
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$1.2 million, president/executive direct

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 June 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 (2)
  1. $866,780 spent. CANCER RESEARCH - CREATE AND MAINTAIN SPECIALIZED LABORATORY FACILITIES REQUIRED TO ENGAGE IN BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH INCLUDING ANIMAL MODELS, DEVELOP CANCER VACCINES, CONDUCT CLINICAL TRIALS AND ANALYZE LARGE AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH AND PATIENT DATA.
  2. $17,227 spent. EDUCATION - SCIENTISTS AT THE INSTITUTE ACTIVELY SHARE THEIR DISCOVERIES WITH THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY, PHYSICIANS AND STUDENTS. INSTITUTE RESEARCHERS DEVELOP AND TEACH COURSES ON RECENT ADVANCES IN RESEARCH, SPONSOR SEMINARS WHERE GRADUATE STUDENTS CAN PRESENT RESEARCH, DELIVER GUEST LECTURES AT MAJOR UNIVERSITIES AND CONFERENCES, HOST ESTEEMED INVITED SPEAKERS AND GENERALLY SHARE THEIR FINDINGS AMONGST THE GREATER RESEARCH COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 1999.

    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.