Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Targetcancer Foundation Inc

EIN 26-4510094 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TargetCancer Foundation promotes the development of lifesaving treatment protocols for rare cancers. TargetCancer Foundation directly supports initiatives at the forefront of cancer treatment by funding innovative research, fostering collaborations, and raising awareness among scientists, clinicians, and patients.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$839,048
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$174,057, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 87% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 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

    9 of 11 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 January 31, 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. $508,441 spent. The specific purposes of the Organization are to raise awareness of and support for research into rare cancers, and to directly support patients and families facing rare cancers. This was accomplished in the fiscal year through the ongoing operation of a rare cancer precision medicine clinical trial, and through other programs. In 2020, TargetCancer Foundation launched a rare cancer precision medicine clinical trial called TCF-001 TRACK (Target Rare Cancer Knowledge). TRACK is a 400-patient clinical trial studying genomics and precision medicine in rare cancers, providing patients with critical personalized genomic data about their cancer and treatment recommendations from a panel of field leaders, and also generating rare cancer research data. TRACK is developed, sponsored and managed by TargetCancer Foundation, and is currently over halfway through its enrollment of patients with rare cancers and cancer of unknown primary.In 2024, TargetCancer Foundation held a major scientific meeting- the Think Tank on Advancing Precision Medicine in Rare Cancers. This unique, innovative meeting unites key stakeholders including clinicians, researchers, government, industry, and patients and advocates. This meeting is specifically designed to promote collaboration, information-sharing and idea generation in an effort to define research priorities, foster new collaborative efforts across institutions, and ultimately propel the field forward.In 2024, TargetCancer Foundation launched its Patient Outreach, Education and Support Program, which provides online and downloadable educational resources designed for patients navigating a rare cancer diagnosis. Theis includes resources such as What is a Rare Cancer, Initial Steps for Navigating a Rare Cancer Diagnosis, Clinical Trials, and Biomarker Testing. In addition, this program includes an educational webinar series intended for patients and caregivers.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 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 January 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 August 2009.

    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.