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Friends of Cancer Research

EIN 52-1983273 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DRIVE COLLABORATION AMONG PARTNERS FROM EVERY HEALTHCARE SECTOR TO POWER ADVANCES IN SCIENCE, POLICY AND REGULATION THAT SPEED LIFE-SAVING TREATMENTS TO PATIENTS.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
35.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
16
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$766,351, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $2.4 million spent. Science Policy: Friends of Cancer Research drives collaboration among partners from every healthcare sector to power advances in science, policy and regulation that speed life-saving treatments to patients. Master Protocols present opportunities to improve clinical trial efficiencies and more accessible for patients. This includes the Lung-MAP study, a unique, collaborative cancer clinical trial that uses genetic screening to match patients to investigational new treatments for non-small cell lung cancers.
  2. $545,160 spent. Communication: THE Organization PROVIDES INDEPTH COVERAGE OF THE EVENTS, TRENDS, AND ISSUES THAT AFFECT the public healthcare INDUSTRY.
  3. $510,658 spent. Meetings and Professional Development: Friends of Cancer Research brings together leaders in cancer drug development, federal health and regulatory agencies, academic research, the private sector, and patient advocates for focused discussions on key issues surrounding the development and regulation of cancer drugs and therapies.
  4. $112,624 spent. Patient Advocacy Training: Patient advocacy encompasses engaging, educating and empowering patients through ProgressforPatients.org and Project TEACH which empowers Black women through education and outreach to participate in and effectively engage with researchers and clinicians.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1996.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.