John Wayne Cancer Foundation
To lead the fight against cancer with courage, strength and grit.
John Wayne Cancer Foundation at a glance
In short: John Wayne Cancer Foundation gave $78K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $77,500
- -44.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,375
- -30.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,000
- Total assets
- $20,085,583
- -0.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who John Wayne Cancer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Nebraska Medical Center ($50K). Together the top 2 received $78K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 30 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How John Wayne Cancer Foundation gives
- Giving fell 97% 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 $78K (2025) to $2.6M (2022). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $78K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE | John Wayne Alumni Fellows Grant | $50,000 |
| Society of Surgical Oncology Chicago, IL | SSO Grant Commitment - 2025 | $12,000 |
| Society of Surgical Oncology Chicago, IL | Act 2025 Exclusive Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Society of Surgical Oncology Chicago, IL | 2024 JWCF Alumni Fellows Grant Peer Review | $5,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $20,085,583 | $3,928,184 | $1,675,331 | $77,500 | 4 | $3,318,425 |
| 2024 | $20,265,430 | $2,318,989 | $1,684,630 | $138,700 | 5 | $1,555,619 |
| 2023 | $18,559,989 | $1,344,667 | $1,901,699 | $378,889 | 9 | $587,462 |
| 2022 | $19,544,868 | $1,886,224 | $4,091,661 | $2,635,000 | 7 | $821,116 |
| 2021 | $21,451,443 | $1,996,251 | $1,417,650 | $124,825 | 5 | $1,316,681 |
About John Wayne Cancer Foundation
Based on IRS filings
John Wayne Cancer Foundation is a public charity focused on Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines, based in Costa Mesa, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $20.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $78K. Net investment income was $3.3M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
John Wayne Cancer Foundation is led by Ethan Wayne, CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 4 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ethan Wayne
CEO
Chairman & CEO → CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Graber
Fundraising Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$122K (2021) → $143K (2025)
Lauren Fraga
Senior Director of Program
Senior Program Director → Senior Director of Programs, 2024
Senior Director of Programs → Senior Director of Program, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$104K (2021) → $124K (2025)
Amy Shepherd
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$44K (2021) → $50K (2025)
Stacy Mulder
Vice President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$176K (2021) → $206K (2025)
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 $206K, to Stacy Mulder (Vice President (Thru 10/2024)). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John Wayne Cancer Foundation
How much does John Wayne Cancer Foundation give each year?
John Wayne Cancer Foundation gave $78K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $139K across 5 grants.
What is John Wayne Cancer Foundation's typical grant size?
John Wayne Cancer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $11,000, and its average grant was $19,375, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does John Wayne Cancer Foundation give grants?
John Wayne Cancer Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (35%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants).
Does John Wayne Cancer Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on John Wayne Cancer Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is John Wayne Cancer Foundation?
John Wayne Cancer Foundation reported $20.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.9M.
What is John Wayne Cancer Foundation?
John Wayne Cancer Foundation is a public charity focused on Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines, based in Costa Mesa, CA. It holds $20.1M in total assets as of 2025.
What is John Wayne Cancer Foundation's EIN?
John Wayne Cancer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2250073. 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 March 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work John Wayne Cancer Foundation funds
Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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