Cancer Research Foundation
The Cancer Research Foundation mission is to raise funds to fund both early-career cancer scientists and new directions in cancer science research with the goal of contributing to transformational events in the prevention, treatment and cure for cancer.
Cancer Research Foundation at a glance
In short: Cancer Research Foundation gave $1.2M across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $400K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,200,000
- +71.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $400,000
- +14.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $400,000
- Total assets
- $10,223,203
- -8.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (67% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Cancer Research Foundation
- Next open deadline
- August 14, 2027 (Young Investigator Award (YIA))
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Cancer Research Foundation
Fletcher Scholars Program
Cancer Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Bernice Goldblatt Fund
Cancer Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Young Investigator Award (YIA)
Cancer Research Foundation
Amount
$100,000
Deadline
Expected ~August
Based on past cycles
Who Cancer Research Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Chicago ($600K). Together the top 3 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 7 grants of 17 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Cancer Research Foundation gives
- Giving grew 56% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $700K (2023) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | To Fund Research in Emerging Cancer Therapies/Cures | $600,000 |
| Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO | To Fund Research in Emerging Cancer Therapies/Cures | $400,000 |
| Northwestern University Chicago, IL | To Fund Research in Emerging Cancer Therapies/Cures | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cancer Research Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,223,203 | $1,174,975 | $1,575,443 | $1,200,000 | 3 | $982,501 |
| 2024 | $11,175,477 | $1,024,160 | $1,059,928 | $700,000 | 2 | $855,646 |
| 2023 | $10,131,076 | $893,737 | $1,004,389 | $700,000 | 4 | $400,023 |
| 2022 | $11,396,644 | $1,076,545 | $1,083,444 | $770,000 | 4 | $737,843 |
| 2021 | $11,271,443 | $1,204,096 | $1,222,805 | $945,000 | 4 | $958,407 |
About Cancer Research Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Cancer Research Foundation is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $10.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $1.2M. Net investment income was $983K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Cancer Research Foundation is led by M. Johnson, CEO on filings since 2021; 1 of 20 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
M. Johnson
CEO
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$160K (2021) → $184K (2025)
A. Nikitas
President & Chairman
Chairman → President & Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$63K (2023) → $0 (2025)
D. Kinnear
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Dobosh
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Goldblatt
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Michael Locke
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
K. Kozlowski
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M. Freed
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
S. Goldblatt
Director
Chairman Emeritus → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
T. Shields
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
B. Sessions
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
D. Rapp
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M. Mantovani
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. Rutstein
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
H. Merwitz
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
L. Werner
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Rhind
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
L. Cohen Schenkman
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M. Cohen
President Emeritus
Director → President Emeritus, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
T. Noard
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: E. Luttig (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Mrm Johnson (2023) — CEO
- Former: R. Goldstein (2021–2022) — Emeritus
- Former: L. Coleman (2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $184K, to Mr M Johnson (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Cancer Research Foundation
How much does Cancer Research Foundation give each year?
Cancer Research Foundation gave $1.2M across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $700K across 2 grants.
What is Cancer Research Foundation's typical grant size?
Cancer Research Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $400,000, and its average grant was $400,000, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Cancer Research Foundation give grants?
Cancer Research Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Missouri (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Cancer Research Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Cancer Research Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Fund Research in Emerging Cancer Therapies/Cures" (3 grants).
How large is Cancer Research Foundation?
Cancer Research Foundation reported $10.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What is Cancer Research Foundation?
Cancer Research Foundation is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $10.2M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Cancer Research Foundation's EIN?
Cancer Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2385213. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cancer Research Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Partnership for Cures
Chicago, IL
Cures Within Reach leverages the speed, safety and cost-effectiveness of testing approved therapies for new indications/diseases without effective treatment driving more treatments quicker to more patients.
Assets
$7.5M
Grants
7
Total Given
$385K
Intuitive Foundation
Sunnyvale, CA
The Intuitive Foundation funds medical and technology research, robotic-surgery training, and STEM and healthcare pathways, supporting eligible nonprofits in the United States and worldwide. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $2.8 million, with a median of about $52,000; clinical research grants offer up to $75,000 per project. It accepts unsolicited online requests, reviewed quarterly.
Assets
$122.7M
Grants
104
Total Given
$12.6M
Universities Research Association Inc
Washington, DC
Universities Research Association supports research, education, and STEM workforce development, with its 2025 institutional grants primarily designated for research. Its 21 grants ranged from $5,059 to $39,243, with a median of $15,176, and went to organizations in multiple states; no geographic preference is stated. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
21
Total Given
$361K
Society of Family Planning
Denver, CO
The Society of Family Planning funds research on abortion and contraception, including emerging scholars, medication abortion, and post-abortion contraceptive care, supporting researchers and health organizations across the United States. In 2025, its 61 grants ranged from $400 to $723,000, with a median of about $54,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests, though it offers specific application-based opportunities, including one with rolling submissions while funds remain.
Assets
$31.2M
Grants
61
Total Given
$4.5M
The Annexstad Family Foundation
Alpharetta, GA
The foundation funds undergraduate scholarships for students who have overcome difficult circumstances, providing support through partner colleges and universities across the United States. In 2025, its 54 grants ranged from $2,065 to $1 million, with a median of $43,875. It does not accept unsolicited requests; partner institutions select scholarship recipients.
Assets
$32.6M
Grants
54
Total Given
$3.2M
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation funds college access and completion, workforce and career development, entrepreneurship, and related efforts to improve economic mobility, with a primary focus on Kansas City and support for regional and national work. Its 2024 grants had a median of $75,000; it accepts requests through its online portal and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
364
Total Given
$95.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Cancer Research Foundation'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.
Cancer Research Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?