The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is a New York, NY-based public charity that funds research aimed at preventing and curing breast cancer. Its website describes support for research worldwide and reports that, in 2025–2026, it will award $74.75 million in annual grants to more than 260 scientists.
Key facts about The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc
In short: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc gave $61.1M across 76 grants in 2025 (avg $804K), top state New York. 9% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 13-3727250
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $61,108,218
- Grants made (2025)
- 76
- Average grant
- $804,056
- Median grant
- $450,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (7 of 76, 2025)
- Total assets
- $220,475,969
- Primary geography
- New York (14% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The Scientific Advisory Board invites proposals in late spring; review begins in June, and funding decisions are announced in August after Board approval. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$220.5M
+10.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$61.1M
+2.3% YoY
Grant Count
76
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$804K
+2.3% YoY
Is The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 76 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $152K; repeat grants $870K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $450K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
BCRF’s mission is “to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.” Its Scientific Advisory Board invites proposals from scientists and clinical investigators and recommends awards to the Board of Directors. BCRF says it supports work with potential for clinical application, including seed funding, and encourages creative collaborations, flexibility, and information sharing.
The 2025 recipients listed include universities, medical centers, cancer institutes, and research organizations. For example, Johns Hopkins University describes its mission as fostering independent research and bringing the benefits of discovery to the world. The American Association for Cancer Research Foundation says it provides financial support for scientific research, education, and communication. Baylor College of Medicine describes its mission as advancing human health through patient care, research, education, and community services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, BCRF reported 76 grants totaling $61,108,218. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $5,996,194, with a median of $450,000. The largest awards included $5,996,194 to Johns Hopkins University for medical research; $5,907,893 to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for medical research; $2,956,000 to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for medical research; and $2,868,391 to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute for medical research.
BCRF’s website describes a separate annual program for 2025–2026, with $74.75 million in grants planned for more than 260 scientists. Its process begins with invitations from the Scientific Advisory Board, which reviews proposals and recommends awards for Board approval. Invited applicants are asked for a brief project narrative, a public-facing lay summary, an annual budget, and a budget narrative. Budgets are typically no more than $250,000, with indirect costs capped at 20 percent. Grants generally cover one year, with renewal possible depending on progress, continued need, and fit with BCRF’s research portfolio. Awards are paid in two installments; grantees must submit an annual progress report and a final financial report.
How to Apply
The Scientific Advisory Board invites proposals in late spring; review begins in June, and funding decisions are announced in August after Board approval. BCRF says unsolicited funding requests are discouraged.
Ready to take the next step with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BCRF describes its research funding as worldwide. In filing year 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to New York (14%), Pennsylvania (11%), Maryland (11%), Massachusetts (11%), and North Carolina (10%). The listed 2025 recipients also include institutions in California, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $36.7M (2020) to $61.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 76 grants totaling $61.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Johns Hopkins University ($6.0M). Together the top 10 received $30.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
363 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 135 grants of 363 (37%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Medical Research | $5,996,194 |
| University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | Medical Research | $5,907,893 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | Medical Research | $2,956,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Pittsburgh, PA | Medical Research | $2,868,391 |
| Dana Farber Cancer Insitute Boston, MA | Medical Research | $2,700,000 |
| The Asco Cancer Foundation Alexandria, VA | Medical Research | $2,591,250 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Medical Research | $1,995,273 |
| University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA | Medical Research | $1,950,000 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Medical Research | $1,857,714 |
| Yale School of Public Health New Haven, CT | Medical Research | $1,474,999 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $220,475,969 | $102,321,724 | $94,845,424 | $61,108,218 |
| 2024 | $199,068,927 | $117,378,452 | $89,147,787 | $59,750,923 |
| 2023 | $153,390,978 | $94,756,928 | $77,854,319 | $50,828,440 |
The 2024 filing states that BCRF’s endowment consists of six donor-restricted funds, whose income is primarily focused on funding defined research initiatives.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $220,475,969 | $199,068,927 | $153,390,978 |
| Revenue | $102,321,724 | $117,378,452 | $94,756,928 |
| Expenses | $94,845,424 | $89,147,787 | $77,854,319 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,477,526 | $1,646,246 | $3,584,240 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Karen Hale and William Lauder as co-chairs, and Kinga Lampert as co-chair emeritus and director. Deborah Krulewitch is secretary and Betsy Battle is treasurer. Directors listed include Donna Acquavella, Jerome Bettis, Richard van den Broek, Cynthia Citrone, and Nina Garcia.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc is led by Myra J. Biblowit, Former President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 13 of 38 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Myra J. Biblowit
Former President & CEO
President & CEO → Former President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
$800K (2020) → $190K (2025)
Donna McKay
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$489K (2024) → $695K (2025)
Stephanie Hamburger To
Executive Director Play for P.i.n.k
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$183K (2025)
Margaret Flowers
Managing Director Research Program
Managing Director Research Programs → Managing Director Research, 2023
Managing Director Research → Managing Director Research Program, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$156K (2020) → $182K (2025)
Sadia Haque Zapp
Managing Director Communications & Content
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$185K (2025)
Kathleen Tripp
Director Digital Communications
Director Digital Communications → Director Digital Committee, 2023
Director Digital Committee → Director Digital Communications, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$218K (2020) → $256K (2025)
Katherine Anderson
Mng Director Development & Signature Events
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$180K (2024) → $195K (2025)
Rebecca Wasserman
Mng Director Development & Regional Events
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$180K (2024) → $195K (2025)
Abbe Raven
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlyn S. McCaffrey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Citrone
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Odoner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerome Bettis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kay Krill
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kendra Scott
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kinga Lampert
Co-Chair Emeritus & Director
Co-Chair → Co-Chair Emeritus & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nina Garcia
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shelly Kivell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Hertog
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Quick
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Karol
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Effraim Grinberg
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Acquavella
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kecia Steelman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelley Tuthill
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerone Vatel To
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lyuba Golster
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Van Den Broek
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendi Rose
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorraya El-Ashry
Chief Scientific Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$216K (2020) → $380K (2025)
Katherine Minster
Chief Development Officer
Senior Director Board Relations & Major Gifts → Senior Director Board Relation, 2023
Senior Director Board Relation → Chief Development Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$166K (2020) → $297K (2025)
Lisa C. Risi
CFO & COO
Chief Operating Officer → CFO & COO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $409K (2025)
Ashley Carey
Chief Partnerships Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$193K (2024) → $237K (2025)
Jodi Patkin
Chief Marketing & Committee Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$300K (2025)
Betsy Battle
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Krulewitch
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Hale
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Lauder
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Andrea Redmond (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Meghan Finn (2020–2024) — Chief Committee & Engmt Officer
- Former: Stephanie Hamburger (2020–2024) — Executive Director Play for P.i.n.k
- Former: Heidi Ihrig (2021–2024) — Senior Director Philanthropy & Major Gifts
- Former: Kerone Vatel (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Clarissa Alcock Bronfman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Isabelle Van Hook (2022–2023) — Director Philanthropy & Major
- Former: Myra Biblowit To (2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Rachelle Sanders (2023) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Robert Bigler (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Rachelle Sanders To (2022) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Lucretia Gilbert (2020–2021) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Stephanie Kauffman (2020–2021) — Chief Strategic Ptrshp Officer
- Former: Carolee Lee (2020) — Director
- Former: Laura Lang (2020) — Director
- Former: Maria Baum (2020) — Director
- Former: Teruca Rullan (2020) — Director
- Former: Tory Burch (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 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $695K, to Donna McKay (President and CEO). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 28 West 44Th Street Suite 609, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (646) 497-2600
Website: https://bcrf.org
Frequently asked questions about The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc
How much does The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc give each year?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc gave $61.1M across 76 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $59.8M across 76 grants.
What is The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $450,000, and its average grant was $804,056, across 76 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc that year got $152K on average.
Where does The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc give grants?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 14% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (11%) and Maryland (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (10 grants), Boston, MA (6 grants), Philadelphia, PA (5 grants) and Chicago, IL (4 grants).
Does The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 76 grants with a stated purpose on The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Medical Research" (76 grants).
Who are The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Johns Hopkins University ($5,996,194), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill ($5,907,893) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ($2,956,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc reported $220.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $102.3M.
What does The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc fund?
BCRF’s mission is “to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.” Its Scientific Advisory Board invites proposals from scientists and clinical investigators and recommends awards to the Board of Directors. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc?
The Scientific Advisory Board invites proposals in late spring; review begins in June, and funding decisions are announced in August after Board approval. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3727250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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