National Brain Tumor Society

What National Brain Tumor Society does

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 and headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, that operates as the largest U.S. patient advocacy and research funding organization dedicated to the brain tumor community. NBTS serves more than 1.3 million Americans affected by brain tumors, including patients, caregivers, survivors, researchers, and clinicians, through personalized navigation, peer support, education, advocacy, and direct research funding. Its core programs include the AI-powered Clinical Trial Finder, the MyTumorID public health campaign on biomarker testing, the DNA Damage Response Consortium (nine cancer centers), the CERN Foundation for ependymoma, the Brain Tumor Investment Fund, and the Head to the Hill advocacy program.\n\nNBTS generates revenue entirely through donations and grants, with no products or services sold. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time, recurring, memorial, and planned giving), corporate partnerships and sponsorships (pharma companies such as Jazz, Servier, and Telix; non-healthcare firms such as DaBella, Northern Bank, and Focus Partners), research grants from philanthropic foundations (The Mark Foundation, The Sontag Foundation), and a national portfolio of signature Walk-Race-Ride events plus the Gray Nation Endurance athletic fundraising program. Notable recent milestones include helping secure FDA accelerated approval for dordaviprone (Modeyso) for H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma in August 2025 and securing a combined $4 million grant in February 2026 for glioblastoma research. The organization holds the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating (2024), operates with 11-50 employees, and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Edjah Nduom.

Name

National Brain Tumor Society

Legal name

National Brain Tumor Society

Website

https://braintumor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Brain Tumor Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that funds brain tumor research, advocates for patients, and provides support services, clinical trial matching, and education to the U.S. brain tumor community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Brain Tumor Patient Advocacy and Research

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Brain tumor research
• Patient advocacy services
• Nonprofit healthcare fundraising
• Clinical trial navigation
• Biomarker testing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

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: Individual donors contribute through one-time and recurring donations, memorial giving, and planned giving bequests. The organization maintains donor-advised fund options.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners including DaBella provide donations and sponsorships aligned with corporate social responsibility initiatives. Sponsorships support events and research programs.
3. Research Grants: Philanthropic foundations including The Mark Foundation and The Sontag Foundation provide grants to fund brain tumor research initiatives and collaborative research projects.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated through signature events including Brain Tumor Walks, Race for Hope, Gray Nation Endurance, and community fundraising events.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

National Brain Tumor Society is a nonprofit patient advocacy and research funding organization that funds brain tumor research, provides personalized patient support and navigation, advocates for policy and research funding, and delivers education and clinical trial matching services to the brain tumor community. The organization operates the AI-powered Clinical Trial Finder, the MyTumorID biomarker awareness campaign, the Brain Tumor Investment Fund, multi-institutional research consortia including the DNA Damage Response Consortium, and signature community fundraising events such as Walks, Races, Rides, and Gray Nation Endurance.

Product overview

National Brain Tumor Society operates as a patient advocacy and research funding organization rather than a technology product company. Its portfolio consists of patient-facing programs and services: the MyTumorID public health campaign (launched 2024) focused on biomarker testing and clinical trial awareness; the AI-assisted Clinical Trial Finder for matching patients to trials; the Brain Tumor Investment Fund for research grants; Gray Nation Endurance athletic fundraising teams; signature Walk-Race-Ride community events; Personalized Support and Navigation services; Peer Mentor Program; Patient & Caregiver Toolkit; the Informed in 30 educational video series; and the Head to the Hill advocacy program. The organization also hosts the DNA Damage Response Consortium for collaborative research. These offerings function as integrated programs serving patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates rather than a unified software platform with distinct product modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MyTumorID Campaign A national public health campaign educating brain tumor patients and providers about the importance of biomarker testing and clinical trials for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment decisions, including educational webinars, provider resources, and patient testimonials.
• Clinical Trial Finder An AI-powered platform enabling patients and caregivers to search for clinical trials based on location, diagnosis, tumor grade, biomarkers, and treatment history, with results ranked by match quality across four major registries.
• Personalized Support and Navigation Program A one-on-one support service provided by an experienced team including medical professionals to offer individualized attention, resources, and guidance for brain tumor patients and caregivers throughout the care journey, delivered via email, phone, and virtual consultations.
• Brain Tumor Investment Fund A flagship investment fund that directs donor resources toward innovative brain tumor research initiatives, including grants to researchers and clinical trials.
• Gray Nation Endurance A team endurance program that enables individuals to fundraise for NBTS by participating in races and athletic events, with participants running to support brain tumor research.
• Walk-Race-Ride Events Signature fundraising events including Brain Tumor Walks, Race for Hope events, and cycling events held across the United States to raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research.
• Informed in 30 A video series featuring leading researchers and doctors explaining complex scientific concepts at the forefront of brain tumor research and treatment, covering topics including clinical trials, precision medicine, immunotherapy, and biomarker testing.
• Peer Mentor Program A program connecting brain tumor patients and caregivers with trained peer mentors who have lived experience with brain tumor diagnoses.
• Patient & Caregiver Toolkit A collection of tools and resources including key questions, patient and care partner resources, and assistance programs to help navigate the healthcare journey.
• Head to the Hill NBTS's signature annual advocacy event bringing together brain tumor advocates to meet with congressional representatives and push for increased research funding and policy support.
• DNA Damage Response Consortium A multi-institutional research initiative bringing together adult and pediatric researchers from major cancer centers to develop and test new treatments targeting DNA damage response pathways in brain tumors.

Quantifiable outcome

• AI-powered Clinical Trial Finder matches patients with relevant trials based on diagnosis, biomarkers, and treatment history
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, champions, partners, supporters and minor.

• IQVIAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026National Brain Tumor Society and IQVIA renewed their collaboration to innovate brain tumor research and patient engagement. IQVIA Biotech serves as a platinum sponsor for NBTS events including Race For Hope DC and the National Brain Tumor Ride.
• Chimerix/Jazz PharmaceuticalschampionsGTM or Marketing PartnerJazz Pharmaceuticals (parent of Chimerix) sponsors the MyTumorID campaign as a Champions-level supporter, helping accelerate precision medicine and expand clinical trial awareness and education for the brain tumor community.
• ServierchampionsGTM or Marketing PartnerServier is a Champions-level sponsor of the MyTumorID campaign, supporting biomarker testing awareness and clinical trial education initiatives.
• Telix PharmaceuticalschampionsGTM or Marketing PartnerTelix Pharmaceuticals sponsors the MyTumorID campaign at the Champions level, supporting precision medicine awareness for brain tumor patients.
• Alexion PharmaceuticalspartnersGTM or Marketing PartnerAlexion Pharmaceuticals is a Partners-level sponsor of the MyTumorID campaign supporting biomarker testing and clinical trial education.
• NovocurepartnersGTM or Marketing PartnerNovocure is a Partners-level sponsor of the MyTumorID campaign. Novocure develops Tumor Treating Fields devices for glioblastoma treatment.
• Day One BiopharmaceuticalssupportersGTM or Marketing PartnerDay One Biopharmaceuticals supports the MyTumorID campaign at the Supporters level, contributing to biomarker testing awareness initiatives.
• Foundation MedicinesupportersGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation Medicine supports the MyTumorID campaign as a Supporters-level sponsor, providing expertise in biomarker testing and genomic profiling.
• GCAR (Global Coalition for Adaptive Research)supportersGTM or Marketing PartnerGCAR supports the MyTumorID campaign, aligning with their mission to accelerate brain tumor research through adaptive clinical trials.
• Nuvation BiosupportersGTM or Marketing PartnerNuvation Bio supports the MyTumorID campaign as a Supporter-level sponsor, contributing to precision medicine awareness.
• Northern BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorthern Bank was a top sponsor of the National Brain Tumor Ride 2026 in Waltham, MA.
• Focus PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFocus Partners served as a platinum sponsor for the National Brain Tumor Ride 2026 and Georgia Brain Tumor Walk & Race 2026.
• ShopRites of Zallie Family MarketsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopRites of Zallie Family Markets was a sponsor for Race For Hope Greater Philadelphia 2025.
• CERN FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CERN Foundation, a program of NBTS, celebrates 20 years of impact supporting ependymoma research and patient community. CERN was established to advance research and provide support for ependymoma patients.
• CONNECT ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBTS has provided funding, expertise, and advice to support the COllaborative Network for NEuro-oncology Clinical Trials (CONNECT), an international consortium focused on developing novel therapies for children with high-grade glioma brain tumors including DIPG/DMG. CONNECT includes 18 international partners.
• DNA Damage Response ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBTS's flagship research initiative brings together adult and pediatric researchers from nine major cancer centers to test different drugs and drug-device combinations, share data, and bring promising treatments to clinical trials. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital receives $2 million from NBTS for this work.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is an Affiliate Partner of the MyTumorID campaign and collaborates with NBTS on advocacy efforts including the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act (AKACA).
• AANS/CNS Tumor SectionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAANS/CNS Tumor Section is an Affiliate Partner of the MyTumorID campaign, providing medical professional expertise in brain tumor treatment and research.
• Dragon Master InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDragon Master Initiative is an Affiliate Partner of the MyTumorID campaign, contributing to data sharing and research collaboration initiatives.
• Glioblastoma Research OrganizationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlioblastoma Research Organization (GRO) is an Affiliate Partner of the MyTumorID campaign, supporting glioblastoma-specific research and awareness initiatives.
• Head for the Cure FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHead for the Cure Foundation is an Affiliate Partner of the MyTumorID campaign, supporting brain tumor awareness and research funding.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Glioblastoma Research Organization: The Glioblastoma Research Organization is a niche nonprofit focused specifically on GBM, the same subtype central to NBTS's research agenda, and operates as an Affiliate Partner of NBTS's MyTumorID campaign.

Direct peers

• American Brain Tumor Association: The American Brain Tumor Association is the most direct comparable to NBTS — a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to brain tumor research, patient support, and advocacy with a similar mix of funding, education, and community programs.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation focuses specifically on childhood brain tumors — directly overlapping NBTS's pediatric mission, including DIPG/DMG research — and collaborates with NBTS as a MyTumorID Affiliate Partner.
• Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research: A smaller but directly comparable brain tumor nonprofit that funds research and maintains a clinical trial matching database, overlapping with NBTS's research funding and trial navigation offerings.
• Voices Against Brain Cancer: Voices Against Brain Cancer is a direct peer — a brain tumor-focused nonprofit funding research and supporting patients and families through events and community programs in the same disease category as NBTS.
• Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2): ABC2 is a brain cancer-focused research funder and advocate, directly comparable in mission to NBTS's research funding and consortium activities, although smaller in community-fundraising scale.
• Head for the Cure Foundation: Head for the Cure Foundation is a brain tumor-focused nonprofit that runs run/walk events to fund research — directly comparable to NBTS's Walk-Race-Ride events and is an Affiliate Partner of NBTS's MyTumorID campaign.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society is a much larger, broad-scope cancer nonprofit that funds research, runs events, and advocates on cancer policy — overlapping with NBTS in research funding, advocacy, and event fundraising, but at far greater scale and across all cancer types.
• Stand Up To Cancer: Stand Up To Cancer is a broad cancer research fundraising nonprofit that funds translational and clinical research — overlapping with NBTS's research funding role but with a much larger media-driven fundraising footprint across cancer types.
• National Cancer Institute: The National Cancer Institute is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training, providing grants and policy leadership that intersect with NBTS's research funding and advocacy priorities at a vastly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NBTStweets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NBTSvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/braintumors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-brain-tumor-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/natlbraintumorsociety/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@braintumor.org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

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

Frequently asked questions about National Brain Tumor Society