American Cancer Society Inc
American Cancer Society Inc is an Atlanta, Georgia-based public charity, formed in 1922. It supports cancer research, patient services, and advocacy, with grantmaking that includes research awards and support for organizations working in these areas.
American Cancer Society Inc at a glance
In short: American Cancer Society Inc gave $23.1M across 509 grants in 2025 (avg $45K), top state District of Columbia. 14% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $23,090,714
- -88.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 509
- -26.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $45,365
- -84.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $1,652,874,190
- -5.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (69 of 508, 2025)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (42% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Cancer Society Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 270 Peachtree St Nw 1300, Atlanta, GA 30303-1246
Phone: (800) 227-2345
Website: https://cancer.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
21 open opportunities from American Cancer Society Inc
ACS - Fanconi Cancer Foundation Discovery Boost Grant
American Cancer Society Inc
Amount
More than US $135,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
ACS IMPACT RFA - Expanding Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials in the Community
American Cancer Society Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
ACS Professor Award Grant
American Cancer Society Inc
Amount
Up to US $400,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who American Cancer Society Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network ($9.6M). Together the top 10 received $12.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,076 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,249 grants of 3,076 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s research website describes funding scientists and health care professionals at institutions across the United States. In filing year 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were reported for DC (42%), Texas (7%), California (4%), Florida (4%), and Pennsylvania (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 509 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Cancer Society Inc open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 69 of 508 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $23.1M (2025) to $197.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 509 grants totaling $23.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Washington, DC | Program Support | $9,602,782 |
| U Of Tx Md Anderson Cancer Ctr Houston, TX | Support/Research | $850,955 |
| Patient Advocate Foundation Hampton, VA | Patient Support | $351,250 |
| Coriell Institute for Medical Research Camden, NJ | Extramural Research Grant | $300,000 |
| Texas Oncology Foundation Inc Dallas, TX | Patient Support | $212,500 |
| American College Of Surgeons Chicago, IL | Research | $201,000 |
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OK | Support/Research | $157,500 |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation Baton Rouge, LA | Patient Support | $150,000 |
| The Milken Institute Santa Monica, CA | Research | $125,000 |
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Patient Support | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with American Cancer Society Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 grant total covers 509 grants. The organization’s 2024 filing states that it maintains endowment funds in perpetuity and distributes investment earnings in accordance with its spending policy and applicable donor restrictions.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,652,874,190 | $136,826,348 | $166,645,616 | $23,090,714 | 509 | $15,092,907 |
| 2024 | $1,746,878,475 | $724,184,531 | $791,860,890 | $197,132,181 | 688 | $36,688,189 |
| 2023 | $1,809,676,040 | $656,838,115 | $756,272,604 | $189,090,300 | 687 | $17,825,861 |
| 2022 | $1,780,605,245 | $674,472,929 | $669,203,696 | $187,776,627 | 684 | $22,545,367 |
| 2021 | $1,891,787,660 | $734,386,259 | $577,661,256 | $153,363,997 | 508 | $76,556,148 |
| 2020 | $1,700,046,787 | $576,295,531 | $564,007,903 | $86,244,907 | 348 | $46,085,786 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, so everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
Its research support spans basic, translational, clinical, and cancer control research. The organization identifies six research priorities: cancer causes; obesity, healthy eating, and active living; screening and diagnosis; treatment; survivorship; and health equity across the cancer continuum. Its 2024 filing also describes patient services and advocacy, including grants to affiliates.
The 2025 grants show support for research and patient services, as well as an affiliate’s program work. For example, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network describes its work as advocating for evidence-based public policies to reduce cancer’s burden. Patient Advocate Foundation describes providing case management and financial aid for people with serious illnesses, while Coriell Institute for Medical Research describes work in biomaterials, genetics, and epigenetics.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 509 grants totaling $23,090,714. Grant amounts ranged from $5,648 to $9,602,782, with a median of $15,000.
The largest reported grants included $9,602,782 to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for program support; $850,955 to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for support and research; $351,250 to Patient Advocate Foundation for patient support; and $300,000 to Coriell Institute for Medical Research for an extramural research grant. Other notable awards included $212,500 to Texas Oncology Foundation for patient support and $201,000 to the American College of Surgeons for research.
The website lists grant mechanisms for independent investigators, mentored researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and institutions, as well as requests for applications. It describes a scientific peer-review process. Applications are submitted through ProposalCentral and become available about three months before the deadline. Research proposals generally must fit at least one of the organization’s six stated priority areas, with exceptions noted for Institutional Research Grants, Mission Boost Grants, and Professor grants.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship program is listed as active and supports early-career researchers in training for up to three years. The stated eligibility includes candidates who completed a doctoral degree within the previous four years, including U.S. citizens and non-citizens with valid visas. The program lists annual stipends of $66,000 to $70,000, plus health insurance and professional-development allowances, and an award range of up to $75,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian A. Marlow, CFA, as board chair; Connie Lindsey as board secretary; Kathleen Gallagher, MSN, as board treasurer; Mark A. Goldberg, MD, as board scientific officer; Michael T. Marquardt as immediate past chair; and Terri McClements as vice chair. It also lists Asif Dhar, MD, MBA; Desiree G. Rogers; Edison T. Liu, MD; and Jaime Wesolowski as directors.
American Cancer Society Inc is led by Wayne A. I. Frederick Md Mba Facs, Interim CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2022); none of the 21 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wayne A. I. Frederick Md Mba Facs
Interim CEO
Board Director → Interim CEO, Board Director & Former, 2024
Interim CEO, Board Director & Former → Interim CEO, 2025
On filings since 2022
55 hrs/week
$554K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Brian A. Marlow CFA
Board Chair
Secretary & Treasurer → Board Vice Chair, 2022
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie A. Eccles Esq.
Board Director
Director → Board Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Board Secretary & Treasurer → Board Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle M. Le Beau PhD
Board Director
Director → Board Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edison T. Liu MD
Board Director
Director → Board Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Winn MD
Board Director
Director → Board Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Asif Dhar MD MBA
Board Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jose C. Buenaga MBA
Board Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Etzkorn
Board Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth R. Stoll
Board Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Pellini MD
Board Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Desiree G. Rogers
Board Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaime Wesolowski
Board Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norman E. Sharpless MD
Board Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean T. Farnham
Board Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kael Reicin
Chief Financial & Strategy Officer
CFO & Incoming → Chief Finance & Strategy Officer, 2021
Chief Finance & Strategy Officer → Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$331K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Mark A. Goldberg MD
Board Scientific Officer
Director → Board Scientific Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael T. Marquardt
Board Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Board Immediate Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri McClements
Board Vice Chair
Director → Board Director, 2022
Board Director → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connie Lindsey
Board Secretary
Board Director → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Gallagher Msn
Board Treasurer
Board Director → Board Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (43)
- Former: Michael L. Neal (2020–2024) — Chief of Organizational Advancement
- Former: Timothy B. Phillips (2020–2024) — Chief Legal, Risk Officer & Outgoing
- Former: John B. Woodward (2021–2024) — Senior Executive Vice President & Field Operations
- Former: Karen E. Knudsen PhD (2021–2024) — Chief Executive Officer & Outgoing
- Former: Andre C. Bokhoor (2022–2024) — Chief People Officer
- Former: Arif Kamal (2022–2024) — Chief Patient Officer
- Former: William L. Dahut (2022–2024) — Chief Scientific Officer
- Former: Emily Sandman (2023–2024) — Senior Vice President & People Team
- Former: Tawana Thomas-Johnson (2024) — Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer
- Former: Bruce N Barron (2020–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Catherine E Mickle (2020–2023) — Former Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Jennifer R Crozier (2020–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Jung H Kim (2020–2023) — Former Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Margaret McCaffery (2020–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Oyebode Taiwo MD MPH (2020–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Othman Laraki MS MBA (2022–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Carmen E Guerra MD MSCE (2023) — Board Director
- Former: Kimberly Martinez (2023) — Chief Marketing Officer
- Former: Amit Kumar PhD (2020–2022) — Board Director
- Former: Jeff D Klaas (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President & West Region
- Former: John Alfonso CPA CGMA (2020–2022) — Board Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Joseph M Naylor (2020–2022) — Board Director
- Former: William Cance MD (2020–2022) — Chief Medical & Scientific Officer
- Former: Wilton W White (2020–2022) — Executive Principal & Development
- Former: Carmen E Guerra MD MSCE FACP (2021–2022) — Board Director
- Former: Laura Hertz (2021–2022) — Board Director
- Former: Monica M Bertagnolli MD FASCO (2021–2022) — Board Director
- Former: Gareth T. Joyce (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gary M. Reedy (2020–2021) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Gary S. Shedlin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey L. Kean (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Joseph A. Agresta Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Carolyn Williams-Goldman (2021) — Interim Executive Vice President & West Region
- Former: KATHERINE A ECCLES Esq. (2021) — Director
- Former: Carmen E. Guerra Md Mscefacp (2020) — Board Scientific Officer
- Former: Daniel P. Heist CPA (2020) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Gregory L. Pemberton Esq. (2020) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey D. Fehlis (2020) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Leonard Lichtenfeld (2020) — Deputy Chief Medical Officer
- Former: Patrick J. Geraghty (2020) — Director
- Former: Richard C. Wender (2020) — Chief Cancer Control Officer
- Former: Sharon Byers (2020) — Chief Development, Market & Outgoing
- Former: William D. Novelli (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $2.0M, to Karen E Knudsen PHD (Chief Executive Officer, Outgoing). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Cancer Society Inc
How much does American Cancer Society Inc give each year?
American Cancer Society Inc gave $23.1M across 509 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $197.1M across 688 grants.
What is American Cancer Society Inc's typical grant size?
American Cancer Society Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $45,365, across 509 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Cancer Society Inc that year got $26K on average.
Where does American Cancer Society Inc give grants?
American Cancer Society Inc's top state is District of Columbia, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest state was Texas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (12 grants), Chicago, IL (10 grants), Philadelphia, PA (8 grants) and Baltimore, MD (7 grants).
Does American Cancer Society Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 509 grants with a stated purpose on American Cancer Society Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Patient Support" (470 grants), "Health Eq Ambassador" (17 grants) and "Extramural Research Grant" (9 grants).
Who are American Cancer Society Inc's largest grantees?
American Cancer Society Inc's largest 2025 grantees include American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network ($9,602,782), U Of Tx Md Anderson Cancer Ctr ($850,955) and Patient Advocate Foundation ($351,250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Cancer Society Inc?
American Cancer Society Inc reported $1.7B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $136.8M.
What does American Cancer Society Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, so everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Cancer Society Inc?
American Cancer Society Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cancer.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Cancer Society Inc's EIN?
American Cancer Society Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1788491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Cancer Society Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Cancer Society Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-cancer-society-inc-morg_5547cd1d0d60491aad84cdabdb76d038
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131788491_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Cancer Society Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-cancer-society-inc-morg_5547cd1d0d60491aad84cdabdb76d038},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Cancer Society Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
American Cancer Society Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?