Susan Komen

What Susan Komen does

Susan G. Komen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, operating as the largest breast cancer-focused charity outside the U.S. government. The organization serves breast cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, and the broader general public through four pillars: research investment, patient care, community engagement, and policy advocacy. Since founding, it has invested nearly $1.1 billion in breast cancer research and built a 30 million-person community mobilized across 100,000 advocates for patient rights.

The organization's core service portfolio includes the Breast Care Helpline (1-877 GO KOMEN), the Patient Care Center with personalized navigation, an income-based Financial Assistance Program, the ShareForCures research registry (1,492 participants, 280 whole germline genomes, 3,059 questionnaires), the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Finder, and educational tools including the Real Pink Podcast, Breast Cancer 101, and the MBC Impact Series. Research is funded through annual grant rounds — most recently $15.4 million to 35 researchers at 24 institutions in June 2026 — with priority on metastatic breast cancer, precision medicine, and AI applications. Content is co-developed with Harvard Medical School faculty, and partnerships span pharma (Novartis, Lilly, Genentech), diagnostics (Natera, Guardant Health), banking (Bank of America), retail (Wacoal), logistics (XPO), and estate tech (Trust & Will).

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model combining individual donations, corporate partnerships and cause marketing (Shop for the Cure, Bowl for the Cure, Fit for the Cure), planned giving via the Trust & Will platform, and event-driven fundraising anchored by Race for the Cure and the 3-Day Walks. Patient services are provided free of charge to anyone affected by breast cancer regardless of ability to pay.

Name

Susan Komen

Legal name

Susan G. Komen

Website

https://komen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Susan G. Komen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that funds breast cancer research (nearly $1.1B since inception) and provides free patient navigation, financial assistance, helpline support, and clinical-trial access to patients, survivors, and caregivers across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Breast Cancer Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Healthcare Access & Life Sciences Impact Funds (FSANAJAI)

Keywords

• Breast cancer nonprofit
• Cancer research funding
• Patient support services
• Breast health education
• Cancer advocacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting breast cancer research and patient programs. Monthly giving programs available. Donors can give one-time or recurring gifts.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events (Race for the Cure, 3-Day Walks), product co-branding (Shop for the Cure, Bowl for the Cure, Wacoal Fit for the Cure), and cause marketing programs. Partners include Bank of America, Wacoal, XPO, Novartis, and others.
3. Research Grants: Susan G. Komen awards grants to researchers at medical institutions. In 2026, awarded $15.4 million to 35 researchers at 24 institutions focusing on metastatic breast cancer, precision medicine, and AI applications.
4. Planned Giving & Estate Gifts: Trust & Will Featured Nonprofit Program enables donors to include Susan G. Komen in estate planning. Users committed an estimated $2.5 million in future charitable gift value within first two weeks of the program launch.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Susan G. Komen funds breast cancer research (nearly $1.1 billion invested since 1982) and delivers free patient support services including the Breast Care Helpline, Patient Care Center navigation, and Financial Assistance Program for income-eligible patients. The organization also runs the ShareForCures research registry, breast health education programs, community outreach initiatives, and signature fundraising events such as Race for the Cure and the 3-Day Walk.

Product overview

Susan G. Komen operates as a non-profit breast cancer organization offering a unified suite of patient-centered services and educational programs. The core offerings include the ShareForCures research registry connecting patients with researchers, the Breast Care Helpline providing phone-based support, the Patient Care Center offering personalized navigation services, and the Financial Assistance Program for income-eligible patients. Supporting these are educational tools like the Breast Cancer 101 interactive learning platform and the Real Pink Podcast. Community engagement programs include the MBC Impact Series for metastatic breast cancer patients, Worship in Pink for faith communities, and Navigation Nation Training for patient navigators. Fundraising events include Race for the Cure walks and the 3-Day Walk. The organization also provides a clinical trial finder tool. Together, these services form a comprehensive ecosystem supporting breast cancer patients from education and screening through treatment, survivorship, and research participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Race for the Cure®: Signature fundraising walk/run events for breast cancer research and patient care
• 3-Day Walks
• ShareForCures®
• Real Pink Podcast
• Breast Cancer Breakthroughs
• MORE THAN PINK Walk®
• Patient Navigation Training Program
• Stand for H.E.R.
• Worship in Pink

Products and services

• ShareForCures An inclusive breast cancer research registry that securely connects qualified researchers to clinical, genomic, and patient-reported data from people who have or had breast cancer in the U.S., enabling scientists to accelerate discoveries.
• Breast Care Helpline A phone and email helpline (1-877-465-6636, [email protected]) staffed by trained oncology social workers that provides information about breast health, breast cancer, local and national resources, clinical trials, emotional support, and connections to no-cost screening mammograms and diagnostic services.
• Patient Care Center A navigation center offering free, personalized support including education, emotional support, financial assistance, and help accessing care for breast cancer patients, caregivers, and family members.
• Financial Assistance Program Income-based financial assistance for breast cancer patients who are currently in active treatment or living with metastatic breast cancer.
• Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Finder A clinical trial search and matching tool that helps people with any stage of breast cancer find and participate in clinical trials, including trials supported by Komen.
• Race for the Cure Walks and runs that raise funds for breast cancer research and patient support services, held in cities across the United States.
• Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk Multi-day fundraising walks where participants commit to walking 60 miles over three days to raise funds for breast cancer research and patient care.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44% decline in U.S. breast cancer death rates between 1989 and 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Trust & WillflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Trust & Will launched its Featured Nonprofit Program with Susan G. Komen as one of the first featured organizations, giving donors a scalable channel to include Komen in estate planning. In the first two weeks after launch, users committed an estimated $2.5 million in future charitable gift value. The platform has facilitated more than $4 billion in total estimated bequest value across all nonprofit causes.
• WacoalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 March 2026Wacoal hosts Fit for the Cure bra fitting events nationwide in partnership with Susan G. Komen. Over 25 years, more than one million women have participated and Wacoal has donated more than $6.2 million to Susan G. Komen, with 100% of funds supporting direct patient services including the Breast Care Helpline and financial assistance programs. Spring 2026 events include over 360 events at department stores and Wacoal stores nationwide.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 March 2026Bank of America is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure event at Montrose Harbor, which aims to raise over $500,000 for research and patient care services.
• NateracoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 March 2026Natera is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
• Guardant HealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 March 2026Guardant Health is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
• NovartiscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 March 2026Novartis is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
• LillycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 March 2026Lilly is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
• Hand on Heart (Miller Family Wine Co.)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 January 2026Hand on Heart extended its partnership with Susan G. Komen into 2026, continuing charitable fundraising where customers can donate at checkout with 100% of proceeds going to the breast cancer organization. The brand produces premium alcohol-removed wines from California grapes.
• XPOcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 January 2026XPO renewed its support as the official transportation partner for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day fundraising walks through March 2029. XPO provides logistics and transportation support across several U.S. cities to ensure the success of the events, and XPO employees participate in the walks.
• NovartiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025Novartis announced expansion of its Community Health Solutions strategy, including partnerships focused on breast cancer in Baltimore and Atlanta alongside existing programs, aimed at improving access to healthcare for underserved populations in the United States.
• Grand Ole OprycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 October 2025Susan G. Komen awarded Dan Rogers, Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of The Grand Ole Opry, with the 2025 Promise Award for nearly two decades of partnership through the Opry Goes Pink fundraiser. The Opry Goes Pink initiative raises funds to support breast cancer research and patient care, featuring performances by country music artists.
• Grand Ole OprycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 October 2025Susan G. Komen hosted the second annual Band As One Nashville Benefit Concert at The Opry House, headlined by Trisha Yearwood, to raise funds for breast cancer research and support. The event gathered artists, survivors, and supporters to promote awareness and collect donations.
• WhiteWater Express Car WashminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 January 2025WhiteWater Express Car Wash raised over $45,000 in October through a partnership with Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research, advocacy, and support programs. The company has donated a total of $95,000 since 2023, emphasizing its commitment to community causes.
• GenentechcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGenentech is identified as a committed partner of Susan G. Komen's Patient Care Center, supporting patient navigation and support services.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Breast Cancer Research Foundation: The largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated exclusively to breast cancer research funding. Directly comparable to Komen on mission, donor base, and research-grant distribution model; competes head-to-head for major philanthropic gifts.
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: U.S. nonprofit focused on breast cancer education, early detection, and patient support. Highly comparable in mission and target audience; competes for donor mindshare in the same breast-cancer-specific cause category.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: The largest U.S. cancer nonprofit with multi-billion annual revenue, funding research, patient support, and advocacy across all cancers. Komen is a direct sub-category competitor; ACS's broader scope and deeper pockets define the upper bound of Komen's competitive set.
• National Cancer Institute: The U.S. federal government's principal agency for cancer research, including breast cancer. Komen explicitly positions itself as the largest non-government breast cancer research funder, making NCI its primary funding benchmark and collaborator.
• American Association for Cancer Research: Major scientific organization funding cancer research broadly, including breast cancer. Comparable as a research-grant distributor and scientific convener; competes for high-end research donors and researcher mindshare.

Emerging players

• METAvivor: Nonprofit dedicated specifically to metastatic breast cancer research funding. Overlaps with Komen's MBC Impact Series and 72% of Komen's 2026 grants directed at MBC; competes for the same MBC-focused donor and advocate community.
• Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Nonprofit providing education, support, and resources for those affected by breast cancer. Comparable in patient-services and educational programming; overlaps with Komen's Patient Care Center and Real Pink Podcast.
• Young Survival Coalition: Nonprofit focused on young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Comparable advocacy and patient-support mission for a specific demographic; represents a more niche competitor in Komen's patient-services market.

Others

• Susan G. Komen (foundation vs. affiliate model): Historical Komen affiliates and merged entities share brand and mission. Relevant as ecosystem context for how the national organization consolidates regional fundraising and grantmaking.

Regional players

• World Cancer Research Fund: International cancer prevention and research nonprofit based outside the U.S. Comparable in research-funding and prevention-advocacy model; represents the global footprint Komen currently lacks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SusanGKomen
• Facebookfacebook.com/SusanGKomen
• TikToktiktok.com/@susangkomen
• Xx.com/SusanGKomen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/14555

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Susan Komen