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Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

EIN 95-4640311 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1997, THE HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH IS A NATIONAL, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH, AND PROVIDING INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT TO PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
9
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$275,003, chief executive officer, director

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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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 (2)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE RESEARCH PROGRAMS INCLUDE VARIOUS GRANTS AND COMMITMENTS TO FURTHER RESEARCH INTO FINDING A CURE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER. THROUGH OUR SEED GRANT PROGRAM WE SUPPORT BASIC AND CLINICAL SCIENTISTS AND INVESTIGATORS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD, AWARDING MORE THAN 130 GRANTS SINCE 2005 AND FUNDING MORE THAN 50 MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS GLOBALLY. THE UCLA AGI HIRSHBERG CENTER FOR PANCREATIC DISEASES PROVIDES A CRITICAL HUB FOR ADVANCING RESEARCH AND TREATMENT BREAKTHROUGHS. WE FUND 3 LABORATORIES AT UCLA FOCUSING ON BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE. WE FUND A PANCREAS TISSUE BANK.
  2. $360,103 spent. THE PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS PROVIDE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE TO PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS, INCLUDING COUNSELING AND SUPPORT GROUPS, ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, CLINICAL TRIAL UPDATES, PATIENT ADVOCACY, FINANCIAL AID AND GENETIC COUNSELING. OUR ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM IS A PATIENT CENTERED EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT HAS INTEGRATED NEARLY 200 RESEARCHERS, CLINICIANS, PATIENTS AND FAMILIES TO LEARN ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS, TREATMENTS AND PROGRESSION OF FINDING A CURE. OUR PATIENT AND FAMILY WEBINAR SERIES IS AN INTERACTIVE SERIES CONNECTING SPECIALISTS WITH THE PANCREATIC CANCER COMMUNITY.

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 August 1998.

    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.

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