National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

What National Pediatric Cancer Foundation does

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 in Tampa, Florida, by Melissa Dunkel and Risa Tramel after their infant daughters were treated for cancer at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. The foundation's core operating model is the Sunshine Project, a collaborative research initiative launched in 2005 that partners with more than 40 leading pediatric hospitals and research institutions to fund clinical trials and translational studies aimed at developing less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancers. Since inception, NPCF has directed over $50 million into pediatric oncology research, including a $1 million grant to Children's Hospital Los Angeles in 2026 for Metastatic Fusion-positive Rhabdomyosarcoma research. The organization has earned a perfect 4-star Charity Navigator rating for eleven consecutive years, with 89-89.6 cents of every donated dollar supporting program activities.

NPCF generates philanthropic revenue through a diversified portfolio of approximately 20 themed fundraising programs (Fashion Funds the Cure, Fishing Funds the Cure, Walking/Running Funds the Cure, Pickleball Funds the Cure, Brewing, Cooking, Gaming, Hiking, Hunting, Music, and others) plus signature events (Boots & Barrels, Fashion Shows, Fishing Tournaments), corporate workplace giving and point-of-sale campaigns with partners such as AutoNation, Walgreens, Deloitte, Mercedes-Benz, and Simon Mall, individual giving channels including cryptocurrency donations via The Giving Block, planned giving (bequests, charitable remainder trusts, IRA distributions, donor-advised funds), vehicle donations through Careasy, and student-led fundraising via DECA and BPA partnerships. Beyond research funding, NPCF operates a Health Navigator patient-support service, a Safety Net financial-assistance program (up to $2,500 per family), and publishes the Pediatric Cancer Toolkit educational resource for newly diagnosed families. The organization is staffed by 11-50 employees at its Tampa headquarters and is governed as an independent nonprofit with no parent company.

Name

National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Legal name

National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://nationalpcf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that funds pediatric oncology research through its Sunshine Project, a collaborative model spanning 40+ hospitals and over $50 million in cumulative research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Nonprofit Research Funding

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research
• Childhood cancer funding
• Nonprofit research grants
• Cancer awareness campaigns
• Pediatric oncology support

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through website, mail, phone, and cryptocurrency. Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and 50+ other cryptocurrencies.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships, workplace giving campaigns, point-of-sale rounding programs, and matching gift programs with corporate partners.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including Fashion Funds the Cure, Fishing Funds the Cure, Boots & Barrels, and various themed fundraising programs.
4. Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, donor-advised funds, stock donations, IRA distributions, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
5. Vehicle Donation Program: Accepts vehicle donations through Careasy platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit that raises funds to support collaborative pediatric cancer research and provides support resources for children with cancer and their families. It funds research initiatives such as the Sunshine Project and runs awareness and fundraising programs.

Product overview

The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates primarily through its Sunshine Project, a collaborative research initiative with over 40 hospital partners. NPCF offers a diverse portfolio of themed fundraising programs enabling individuals, schools, businesses, and communities to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. The program ecosystem includes 20+ themed initiatives such as Fashion Funds the Cure, Fishing Funds the Cure, Walking Funds the Cure, Pickleball Funds the Cure, and others, alongside direct giving options including cryptocurrency donations, planned giving, and workplace giving campaigns. Support services include a Health Navigator for families, Safety Net financial assistance, and educational resources like the Pediatric Cancer Toolkit. The organization also hosts signature events including Fashion Shows, Boots & Barrels evenings, and fishing tournaments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fashion Funds the Cure: Nationwide runway tour program sharing stories of children battling cancer while raising funds for research
• Fishing Funds the Cure
• Brewing Funds the Cure
• Walking Funds the Cure
• Students Fund the Cure
• Hunting Funds the Cure
• Hiking Funds the Cure
• Pickleball Funds the Cure
• Playing Funds the Cure
• Music Funds the Cure
• Cooking Funds the Cure
• DIY / Design It Yourself
• Birthdays Fund the Cure
• Halloween Funds the Cure
• Cut and Color Funds the Cure
• Dancing Funds the Cure
• Gaming Funds the Cure
• Rock Paper Scissors Funds the Cure
• Puzzles Funds the Cure

Products and services

• Sunshine Project A collaborative pediatric cancer research funding initiative developed by the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to advance treatment options and research in childhood cancers.
• Charitable Donation Program General donation program enabling individuals to contribute funds to support pediatric cancer research and family support services.
• Crypto Donation Program Cryptocurrency-based donation channel allowing donors to contribute digital assets to the foundation through platforms such as The Giving Block.
• Family Support Programs Programs providing direct resources and support to children with cancer and their families during treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89.6 cents of every dollar spent supports the NPCF mission
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Children's Hospital Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Recipient of $1 million NPCF grant to Dr. JinSeok Park for Metastatic Fusion-positive Rhabdomyosarcoma research.
• DirtHammerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026DirtHammer partnered with professional racer Gray Leadbetter to auction a custom Can-Am vehicle benefiting NPCF, contributing 9% buyer commission to the foundation.
• Challenge ButterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 October 2025Challenge Butter partners with NPCF during holiday season through cookie recipe contest, donating for each recipe submitted.
• AutoNationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2025AutoNation's DRV PNK initiative has raised over $45 million for cancer causes and donated a brand-new Chrysler Pacifica van plus $10,000 check to NPCF. Total support exceeds $460,000 since 2021.
• 40+ Hospital PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPCF's Sunshine Project collaborates with over 40 leading pediatric hospitals and research institutions nationwide to accelerate pediatric cancer research and clinical trials.
• ABC Fine Wine and SpiritsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting pediatric cancer research through point-of-sale campaigns.
• Advance Auto PartsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NPCF fundraising initiatives.
• Bloomin BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParent company of restaurant chains supporting NPCF through various fundraising programs.
• WalgreensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail partner supporting NPCF through point-of-sale campaigns.
• Mercedes-BenzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive partner supporting NPCF through vehicle donations and campaigns.
• Simon MallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail mall partner supporting NPCF through shopping center campaigns.
• HootersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner supporting NPCF through fundraising campaigns.
• Deloitte LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional services firm supporting NPCF through corporate giving.
• Constellation BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage company partner supporting NPCF.
• Freedom Boat ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarine services partner supporting NPCF.
• Rooms To GominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFurniture retailer partner supporting NPCF.
• Russells Western WearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWestern apparel retailer supporting NPCF.
• TBC CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTire and automotive service partner supporting NPCF.
• Victor DistributingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDistribution partner supporting NPCF.
• Fishman Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner collaborating on pediatric cancer research funding.
• Kinsley Cookie CartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCookie cart business with strong family connection to NPCF mission.
• Love Your MeloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApparel brand partner supporting pediatric cancer research.
• Tyler Robinson FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner co-funding pediatric cancer research with NPCF.
• Because of JoeycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorial foundation partner supporting NPCF's mission.
• DECAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCareer and technical student organization partnering with NPCF for fundraising challenges through Students Fund the Cure program.
• BPA (Business Professionals of America)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCareer and technical student organization partnering with NPCF for fundraising challenges.
• GoFundMecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoFundMe provides the fundraising platform powering NPCF's online donation and event registration pages.
• The Sunshine FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWish-granting foundation partner.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Direct peer — nonprofit focused on accelerating pediatric cancer research and supporting affected children/families through research funding and advocacy.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: Direct peer — nonprofit serving children with cancer and their families through education, advocacy, and research support, similar advocacy/family-service model to NPCF.
• Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation: Direct peer — fundraising-driven pediatric cancer research funder funding lab and clinical research across partner institutions.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Direct peer — pediatric cancer research grantmaking nonprofit using community-driven fundraising events and a network of hospital/research partners.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Direct peer — also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds pediatric cancer research through community-driven and event-based fundraising (head-shaving events, volunteer-driven campaigns), with a multi-institution research grant program.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Direct peer — childhood cancer research grantmaking foundation supporting pediatric oncology research, family support, and clinical trials through grassroots fundraising and events.

Broad incumbents

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Broad incumbent — much larger cancer research grantmaking foundation with a high Charity Navigator rating, often cited as a top destination for cancer-research donations; a competitor for the same donor.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Broad incumbent — large, established health nonprofit funding blood-cancer research (a major pediatric cancer subtype); competes with NPCF for leukemia-focused pediatric donors and corporate partnerships.
• Children's Oncology Group: Broad incumbent — the largest pediatric cancer research cooperative in the world, operating multi-institution clinical trials; NPCF's Sunshine Project hospitals are part of this wider clinical-trial ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Adjacent peer — large nonprofit serving children with critical illnesses (including pediatric cancer) through wish-granting, frequently competing with NPCF for the same corporate partner / event-fundraising dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PediatricCancer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/pediatriccancer
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalPediatricCancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pediatric-cancer-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalpcf

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Pediatric Cancer Foundation