Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research
To provide funding for cancer research
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research at a glance
In short: Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research gave $55.9M across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $7.0M), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $55,909,636
- +1.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,988,705
- +1.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000,000
- Total assets
- $50,949,327
- -37.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Commonwealth Cancer Consortium Inc ($27.1M). Together the top 8 received $55.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 15 grants of 39 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research gives
- Giving grew 177% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $19.8M (2020) to $55.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $55.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Cancer Consortium Inc Sherborn, MA | Support for Multi-Institutional Research in Cancer Indications | $27,110,000 |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | Support progress in drug discovery and developmental research against cancer | $8,000,000 |
| Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Baltimore, MD | Support for researchers and clincians to advance the state of cancer science | $8,000,000 |
| MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | Support progress in improving care for our patients with cancer | $7,500,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc Brookline, MA | Support for clinical studies and to advance discoveries and new technologies in cancer research | $2,500,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Koch Institute for Cancer Research Cambridge, MA | Support for clinical studies and to advance discoveries and new technologies in cancer research | $2,500,000 |
| Massey Cancer Center Richmond, VA | Support for Clinical Trials in Cancer Research | $242,186 |
| The Community Foundation Richmond, VA | Unrestricted Support | $57,450 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $50,949,327 | $25,046,690 | $55,998,011 | $55,909,636 | 8 | $4,205,194 |
| 2023 | $81,899,492 | $102,323,363 | $55,264,302 | $55,081,090 | 8 | $40,921,074 |
| 2022 | $34,835,660 | $50,354,014 | $47,600,088 | $47,521,074 | 7 | $2,639,130 |
| 2021 | $31,990,703 | $16,751,552 | $20,371,781 | $20,214,409 | 8 | $12,873,253 |
| 2020 | $35,610,932 | $23,563,500 | $20,160,019 | $19,755,282 | 8 | $19,655,703 |
About Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research
Based on IRS filings
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Richmond, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $50.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $55.9M. Net investment income was $4.2M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research is led by William H. Goodwin Jr., Director & President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William H. Goodwin Jr.
Director & President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Sherman Jr.
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$31K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Wayne L. Hunter
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Alice T. Goodwin
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A. Jones
Tax Officer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Thomas F. Farrell II (2020–2021) — Director-
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $15K, to John Sherman Jr (Director, Secretary). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research
How much does Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research give each year?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research gave $55.9M across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $55.1M across 8 grants.
What is Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's typical grant size?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's median grant in 2024 was $5,000,000, and its average grant was $6,988,705, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research give grants?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research gives mostly in Massachusetts: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (14%) and Maryland (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Richmond, VA (2 grants).
Does Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's largest grantees?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's largest 2024 grantees include Commonwealth Cancer Consortium Inc ($27,110,000), Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center ($8,000,000) and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center ($8,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research reported $50.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $25.0M.
What is Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Richmond, VA. It holds $50.9M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's EIN?
Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3632101. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research funds
Medical Research Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research'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.
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