Susan Komen
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersDallas, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Susan Komen firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Susan Komen industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Susan Komen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dallas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Susan Komen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Susan Komen product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Susan Komen
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Susan Komen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature1 record
Susan Komen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Trust & WillflagshipTrust & 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.
- WacoalcoreWacoal 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 AmericacoreBank 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.
- NateracoreNatera is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
- Guardant HealthcoreGuardant Health is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
- NovartiscoreNovartis is a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 2026 Chicago Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer research and patient care services.
- LillycoreLilly 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.)minorHand 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.
- XPOcoreXPO 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.
- NovartiscoreNovartis 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 OprycoreSusan 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 OprycoreSusan 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 WashminorWhiteWater 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.
- GenentechcoreGenentech 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
Susan Komen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Susan Komen social profiles
Digital presenceSusan Komen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Susan Komen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Susan Komen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
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Susan Komen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Susan Komen
What does Susan Komen do?
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.
Is Susan Komen a public or private company?
Susan Komen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Susan Komen founded?
Susan Komen was founded in 1982. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Susan Komen based?
Susan Komen is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.
How does Susan Komen make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships, research Grants and planned Giving & Estate Gifts.
Who are Susan Komen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Breast Cancer Research Foundation and National Breast Cancer Foundation. Broad incumbents are American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute and American Association for Cancer Research. Emerging players are METAvivor, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Young Survival Coalition. Susan G. Komen (foundation vs. affiliate model) is listed as an others. World Cancer Research Fund is listed as a regional player.
Does Susan Komen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Susan Komen.
What industry is Susan Komen in?
Susan Komen's product category is Breast Cancer Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS), with a secondary code of HLAJALAF, Community Health & Prevention Program Funding. Its NAICS code is 813212.