Children's Cancer Research Fund
Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) is a national nonprofit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It funds childhood cancer research, as well as programs and services supporting children and families through cancer treatment, survivorship, and bereavement.
Children's Cancer Research Fund at a glance
In short: Children's Cancer Research Fund gave $3.0M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $431K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,017,349
- -52.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -83.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $431,050
- +184.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $11,242,965
- -35.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (78% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Children's Cancer Research Fund
- Review Cycle
- Published 2026 deadlines for the hard-to-treat cancers, survivorship, and health disparities awards have passed as of October 2, 2026. The 2026 clinical trials calendar lists an August 7, 2026 letter-of-intent deadline, which has passed, and a November 16, 2026 application deadline. No deadline is stated here for the currently open Emerging Scientist Awards.
- Deadline
- Published 2026 deadlines for the hard-to-treat cancers, survivorship, and health disparities awards have passed as of…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1650 W 82Nd St 400, Minneapolis, MN 55431
Phone: (952) 893-9355
Website: https://childrenscancer.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Children's Cancer Research Fund
CCRF Research Grants (incl. Emerging Scientist Awards)
Children's Cancer Research Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
COG Phase I & Pilot Consortium Research Grants
Children's Cancer Research Fund
Amount
$20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Emerging Scientist Awards
Children's Cancer Research Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Children's Cancer Research Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Minnesota Foundation ($2.3M across 3 grants). Together the top 4 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
177 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 91 grants of 177 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CCRF describes its research funding as nationwide. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota (78%), Pennsylvania (8%), Texas (8%), and Maine (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Children's Cancer Research Fund gives
- Giving fell 41% 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2025) to $11.0M (2020). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Dept of Pediatrics Fellowships and Seed Grants | $1,575,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation Minneapolis, MN | To university of Minnesota for dr. John wagner's research | $579,550 |
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Philadelphia, PA | Dr. Matthew Hocking for Pediatric Cancer Research | $250,000 |
| University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | Dr. Michael Andreeff for Pediatric Cancer Reserach | $250,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Dr. Olin's Brain Tumor Research | $187,799 |
| Lad in a Battle LLC York, ME | Big Dreams Tour - James Orrigo | $150,000 |
| Lad in a Battle LLC York, ME | For Virtual Camp Norden for Pediatric Cancer Patients | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Children's Cancer Research Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization’s website reports that in 2024, more than 81% of funds raised went to program services.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,242,965 | $4,470,407 | $7,246,253 | $3,017,349 | 7 | $1,352,490 |
| 2024 | $17,538,090 | $18,903,896 | $17,912,585 | $6,364,456 | 42 | $865,489 |
| 2023 | $16,414,111 | $18,385,764 | $18,303,331 | $8,727,745 | 71 | $324,486 |
| 2022 | $18,165,627 | $19,368,371 | $18,631,466 | $5,129,597 | 28 | $247,617 |
| 2021 | $19,588,759 | $21,813,800 | $21,714,740 | $8,546,220 | 29 | $289,786 |
| 2020 | $16,189,103 | $22,272,354 | $21,967,122 | $11,019,893 | 25 | $101,754 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CCRF’s stated mission is to fuel transformational research to bring better treatments and cures to children with cancer. Its research priorities include hard-to-treat cancers, survivorship, and health disparities. It also supports fellowships and family programs, and provides education and awareness resources.
CCRF describes its grants as supporting research and training at the University of Minnesota and other research hospitals. Among its 2025 grantees, the University of Minnesota Foundation describes its mission as supporting the University of Minnesota by connecting passion with possibility, inspiring generosity, and supporting the university.
Grantmaking
In its 2025 filing, CCRF reported seven itemized grants totaling $3,017,349. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $1,575,000, with a median of $250,000. Separately, the filing narrative says CCRF awarded nearly $2.3 million in research grants in FY25.
Notable 2025 grants included $1,575,000 to the University of Minnesota Foundation for pediatric department fellowships and seed grants; $579,550 to the foundation for research; $250,000 to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute for pediatric cancer research; and $250,000 to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for pediatric cancer research. Other itemized grants included $187,799 to the University of Minnesota Foundation for brain tumor research and two grants to LAD in a Battle LLC totaling $175,000 for the Big Dreams Tour and virtual Camp Norden.
CCRF’s Emerging Scientist Awards are described as currently open. They offer four awards per cycle to highly qualified postdoctoral students in the United States, supporting independent childhood cancer research ideas and early-career development. The funder’s website says applications for CCRF awards are submitted through ProposalCentral and that each principal investigator may submit only one letter of intent per calendar year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elizabeth Allen as chief executive officer; Abbie Miller, MD, as chairperson; Chris Zupfer as vice chair; Meghan Harris as secretary; and Jen Wilson as treasurer. It also lists Charlie Anderson, Adam Choe (director through May), Heike Drake-Cavalletti, Barb Farrell, and Megan Goodrich as directors.
Children's Cancer Research Fund is led by Elizabeth Allen, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2023); none of the 16 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Allen
Chief Executive Officer
CEO Beginning July → CEO, 2024
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Abbie Miller MD
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson Elect → Vice Chairperson, 2023
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barb Farrell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Toppin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Lamm
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Choe
Director
Director Beginning August → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Thronson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heike Drake-Cavalletti
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Goodrich
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Harris
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Anderson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Vall
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Gray
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Wilson
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meghan Harris
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Zupfer
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair Elect, 2024
Vice Chair Elect → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Greg Soukup (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: John Golden (2020–2024) — Chairperson
- Former: Kenna Dooley (2020–2024) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Michelle Johnson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Molly Kinsella (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Susan Doherty (2020–2024) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Jean Machart (2022–2024) — COO
- Former: Mary Maiden Mueller (2022–2024) — Associate Director, Technology & Analytics
- Former: Michelle Tuma (2023–2024) — Senior Accounting Manager
- Former: Erskine Bevel (2024) — Director of Finance
- Former: Ryan Durry (2024) — Director, Brand & Communications
- Former: Beth Monsrud (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ingrid Culp (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Hedman (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Peter Dorow (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Charles Manzoni (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Erin Cohen (2022–2023) — Director of Events & Partnerships
- Former: Kenna Dooley - Vice President (2022–2023) — Of Development & Donor Relations
- Former: Megan Martinez (2022–2023) — Director of Marketing
- Former: Carol Grannis (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dan Bartholet (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Dan Seeman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Daniel Gumnit (2020–2022) — CEO
- Former: Jon Halper (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Haivy Thompson - Vice (2022) — President of Mission & Marketing
- Former: Charlie R. Manzoni Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Darla Nemec (2020–2021) — Director of Finance & Operations
- Former: Haivy Thompson (2020–2021) — Vice President, Mission & Marketing
- Former: Kris Larson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Pete Leacock (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John Hallberg (2020) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Laura Grant (2020) — Director of Events & Partnerships
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 $260K, to Jean Machart (COO Through September). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Children's Cancer Research Fund
How much does Children's Cancer Research Fund give each year?
Children's Cancer Research Fund gave $3.0M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.4M across 42 grants.
What is Children's Cancer Research Fund's typical grant size?
Children's Cancer Research Fund's median grant in 2025 was $250,000, and its average grant was $431,050, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Children's Cancer Research Fund give grants?
Children's Cancer Research Fund gives mostly in Minnesota: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (8%) and Texas (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (3 grants) and York, ME (2 grants).
Does Children's Cancer Research Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Children's Cancer Research Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Children's Cancer Research Fund's largest grantees?
Children's Cancer Research Fund's largest 2025 grantees include University of Minnesota Foundation ($2,342,349 across 3 grants), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute ($250,000) and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Children's Cancer Research Fund?
Children's Cancer Research Fund reported $11.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.5M.
What does Children's Cancer Research Fund fund?
CCRF’s stated mission is to fuel transformational research to bring better treatments and cures to children with cancer. Its research priorities include hard-to-treat cancers, survivorship, and health disparities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Children's Cancer Research Fund?
Children's Cancer Research Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check childrenscancer.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Children's Cancer Research Fund's EIN?
Children's Cancer Research Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1893645. 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 December 17, 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 September 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 20, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Children's Cancer Research Fund funds
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Children's Cancer Research Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?