The Cure Starts Now Inc
The Cure Starts Now Inc is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based public charity formed in 2007. It funds cancer research, beginning with pediatric brain cancer, and also describes family support, awareness, and research collaboration programs.
The Cure Starts Now Inc at a glance
In short: The Cure Starts Now Inc gave $4.4M across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $339K), top state Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,404,653
- +261.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +18.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $338,819
- +205.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $4,317,740
- +1.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (46% 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 The Cure Starts Now Inc
- How to Apply
-
The organization’s website provides a grant application route.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10280 Chester Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215
Phone: (513) 772-4888
Website: https://thecurestartsnow.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Cure Starts Now Inc
Who The Cure Starts Now Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $4.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 24 grants of 46 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants were distributed across multiple states. Ohio accounted for 46% of grant dollars, Washington 24%, Georgia 9%, New York 6%, and Maryland 6%. The organization’s website says its research funding has reached hospitals in 29 countries.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Cure Starts Now Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $550K (2021) to $4.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $4.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, OH | Dr. Qing lu and dr. Scott raskin - medical research | $1,590,160 |
| Seattle Children's Hospital Seattle, WA | Dr. Rebecca Ronsley - Medical Research | $1,050,000 |
| Children's Research Institute Mason, OH | Dr. Hwang - Medical Research | $400,000 |
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | Dr. Bilap dasgupta and dr. Timothy gershon - medical research | $390,519 |
| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD | Dr. Karisa schreck, dr. Alan friedman, and dr. Jeff bulte - medical research | $249,000 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL | Intranasal Delivery of Oncolytic Virus in DMG | $200,000 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY | Dr. Becher - Medical Research | $100,000 |
| Columbia University Sponsored Projects New York, NY | Dr. Caho Lu - Medical Research | $100,000 |
| University of Virginia Medical Center Charlottesville, VA | Dr. James Ross - Medical Research | $100,000 |
| University of Colorado Denver Denver, CO | Dr. Adam Greene - Medical Research | $99,974 |
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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 | $4,317,740 | $5,655,854 | $8,438,186 | $4,404,653 | 13 | $16,962 |
| 2024 | $4,248,120 | $5,367,380 | $4,381,043 | $1,218,250 | 11 | $16,804 |
| 2023 | $4,130,907 | $5,080,693 | $4,760,307 | $1,025,000 | 10 | — |
| 2022 | $2,625,696 | $5,231,630 | $6,057,974 | $799,803 | 7 | — |
| 2021 | $2,875,483 | $4,232,596 | $3,293,327 | $550,000 | 5 | — |
| 2020 | $2,054,739 | $3,410,017 | $3,822,197 | $2,505,868 | 3 | $59,231 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to educate, aid, and fund cures for cancer, starting first with pediatric brain cancer.” Its website describes a broader goal of pursuing research on cancers that are difficult to treat, affect children, or have high death rates, with childhood brain tumor research viewed as a way to advance cancer research more broadly.
Its 2025 filing says research grants typically focus on pediatric brain cancers. Applications are assessed on scientific merit, disease impact, innovation, feasibility, and investigator expertise. The filing also describes family support and awareness activities, including information websites, trial discovery tools, patient assistance, and programs intended to build local support and awareness. Its Brain Cancer Symposium brings researchers, doctors, families, and foundations together to discuss and support research on DIPG, DMG, and medulloblastoma.
The 2025 grantees include hospitals, universities, medical schools, and a biotechnology company. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center describes its mission as improving child health through integrated research, education, and innovation. Seattle Children’s Hospital describes its mission as advancing pediatric health and wellness through clinical care and research. Emory University says its mission is to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in service of humanity. Johns Hopkins University describes itself as a research university conducting work across disciplines including medicine and public health.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 13 grants totaling $4,404,653. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $1,590,160, with a median of $100,000. The largest awards included $1,590,160 to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, $1,050,000 to Seattle Children’s Hospital, $400,000 to Children’s Research Institute, and $390,519 to Emory University. Other reported grants included $249,000 to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and $200,000 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The organization’s website describes an extensive approval process and says it funds research that follows its mission, is non-duplicative, and is financially sound. Its 2025 filing says applications are peer-reviewed with the foundation’s Medical Advisory Council. Investigators must submit progress reports annually and at the end of the funding period; failure to report excludes an investigator from future funding. Researchers funded for bi-yearly periods must present in person at the Brain Cancer Symposium.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Keith Desserich as chairman of the board, Brooke Desserich as CEO and treasurer, Terry Regan as secretary, and Gavin Baumgardner, Dan Lee, Alyssa Hawranko, and Tamara Ekis as board members. Mike Weiner is listed as CIO.
The Cure Starts Now Inc is led by Brooke Desserich, CEO & Treasurer since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brooke Desserich
CEO & Treasurer
Executive Director → Executive Director & CEO, 2021
Executive Director & CEO → CEO & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$124K (2020) → $62K (2025)
Keith Desserich
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Chairman of the Board, 2025
On filings since 2020
60 hrs/week
$22K (2021) → $112K (2025)
Mike Weiner
CIO
On filings since 2022
60 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $123K (2025)
Alyssa Hawranko
Board Member
Head of Strategic Advisory Council → Director, 2021
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gavin Baumgardner
Board Member
V.p. & Head of Med Advisory → Director, 2022
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamara Ekis
Board Member
Member at Large → Director, 2021
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Regan
Secretary
Secretary → Director, 2022
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Lee
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Doug Desserich (2020–2024) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Melissa Saladonis (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dustin Glavin (2020) — Monkey in My Chair Council
- Former: Trent Hummel MD (2020) — Secretary & Head of Dipg Collabor
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 $123K, to Mike Weiner (CIO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Cure Starts Now Inc
How much does The Cure Starts Now Inc give each year?
The Cure Starts Now Inc gave $4.4M across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 11 grants.
What is The Cure Starts Now Inc's typical grant size?
The Cure Starts Now Inc's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $338,819, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Cure Starts Now Inc give grants?
The Cure Starts Now Inc's top state is Ohio, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Washington (24%) and Georgia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants) and Cincinnati, OH (2 grants).
Does The Cure Starts Now Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Cure Starts Now Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Cure Starts Now Inc's largest grantees?
The Cure Starts Now Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ($1,590,160), Seattle Children's Hospital ($1,050,000) and Children's Research Institute ($400,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Cure Starts Now Inc?
The Cure Starts Now Inc reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.7M.
What does The Cure Starts Now Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to educate, aid, and fund cures for cancer, starting first with pediatric brain cancer.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cure Starts Now Inc?
The organization’s website provides a grant application route. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cure Starts Now Inc's EIN?
The Cure Starts Now Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0269131. 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 July 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Cure Starts Now Inc funds
Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cure Starts Now Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cure Starts Now Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cure-starts-now-inc-morg_1b95db8cc25a4c1dbeb08668b3281de3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260269131_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cure Starts Now Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cure-starts-now-inc-morg_1b95db8cc25a4c1dbeb08668b3281de3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Cure Starts Now Inc'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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