What V Foundation does

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. The foundation's core product is a competitive cancer research grant program that channels funding to scientists at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers and leading research institutions across North America, with grants evaluated by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Cumulative grants awarded exceed $458 million historically to 1,400+ researchers, supporting 1,000+ clinical trials, with 2025 marking a record $60 million in annual grant outlay. The foundation operates specialized research funds including the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund (over $107.4 million awarded) and the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund (over $22 million through 64 grants).

The foundation operates a 100% direct donation model where an endowment covers all administrative expenses, enabling 100% of direct donations to flow to research grants. Fundraising is executed through a diversified portfolio of channels: ESPN-driven V Week national awareness campaigns (19th year in 2025), signature events (Dick Vitale Gala, Wine Celebration, Sonoma Epicurean, Chicago/Austin/Capital Epicurean, Celebrity Golf Classic, Boo-Yah, Victory Ride, Victory Gala NYC), community programs (Run for Team V, DIY Fundraising, Team V monthly giving), corporate cause-marketing partnerships (Bristol Myers Squibb Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer, Principal V Week sponsorship, Dolphins Cancer Challenge, Hockey Fights Cancer), and major individual philanthropists (Tom Gores Family Foundation, Jeff and Penny Vinik, Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation).

Distribution is structured around a peer-reviewed grant application process that prioritizes high-risk, high-reward research projects that struggle to secure traditional government funding. The foundation claims $22 in downstream research funding is generated for every $1 donated, 4.8 million cancer deaths prevented or delayed, and 18.6 million cancer survivors in relationships. The organization has earned 13 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator and a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and was led through a 2025 CEO transition by Clark Kinlin (Interim CEO) before appointing Brandi Williams Broome as permanent CEO effective January 27, 2026.

Name

V Foundation

Legal name

The V Foundation for Cancer Research

Website

https://v.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has awarded over $458 million in competitive cancer research grants to 1,400+ scientists at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers since 1993, funded by individual donors, corporate partners, and signature ESPN-supported fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research Grant Funding

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding (HLAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Cancer research funding
• Nonprofit grant making
• Cancer research grants
• Charitable fundraising events
• Pediatric cancer research

Headquarters

HQ city

Cary

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The V Foundation operates on a 100% direct donation model where 100% of all direct donations fund cancer research grants. An endowment covers administrative costs, allowing all public contributions to go directly to research.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that awards competitive cancer research grants to scientists at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers across North America, governed by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. It funds specialized initiatives such as the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund and the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, while sustaining operations through individual donations, corporate partnerships, signature fundraising events, and community programs. An endowment covers administrative costs, allowing 100% of direct donations to flow to research grants.

Product overview

The V Foundation is a non-profit cancer research charity offering a portfolio of grant funding programs and signature fundraising events. The core offering is its competitive cancer research grant program, which funds scientists at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers across North America, supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. The Foundation supports special research funds including the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund (over $107.4 million awarded) and the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund (over $22 million through 64 grants). Fundraising is driven through signature events including the Dick Vitale Gala, Wine Celebration, Sonoma Epicurean, and Team V endurance programs. A key partnership initiative is the Cancer Vaccine Coalition collaboration funding breast cancer vaccine clinical trials. The Foundation operates with a 100% giving model where direct donations go entirely to research due to endowment coverage of administrative expenses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cancer Research Grant Funding Program Competitive grant program funding game-changing cancer research at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers and exceptional institutions across North America, with a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee overseeing the review process.
• Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund Dedicated fund for pediatric cancer research grants, having awarded over $107.4 million since inception to address the minimal federal funding dedicated to childhood cancer.
• Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund Research fund awarding grants focused on addressing cancer health disparities and supporting researchers from diverse backgrounds, having awarded over $22 million through 64 grants.
• Dick Vitale Gala Annual pediatric cancer research fundraising gala hosted by ESPN commentator Dick Vitale, having raised over $105 million cumulatively through 20 annual events.
• Wine Celebration Signature wine-focused fundraising event that has raised $10.5 million (2024) and $12.3 million (2025).
• Sonoma Epicurean Annual wine and culinary event celebrating its 5th anniversary in 2026, having raised over $3.5 million for breakthrough cancer research.
• Celebrity Golf Classic Annual celebrity golf fundraising event benefiting cancer research.
• Victory Ride to Cure Cancer Annual cycling event fundraising for cancer research, having raised over $325,000 in its fifth annual edition and $300,000 in its sixth annual edition.
• Team V Running Program Endurance fundraising program enabling supporters to raise money for cancer research through marathons and races, having exceeded $540,000 in 2024 and $680,000 in 2025.
• Victory Gala NYC Next generation leadership fundraising event in New York City that raised $280,000 in 2026.
• Boo-Yah Event Annual event focused on fighting racial disparities in cancer outcomes, having raised over $1.7 million in 2022 and over $3.1 million in its 5th anniversary.
• Chicago Epicurean Wine and culinary fundraising event in Chicago supporting cancer research.
• Capital Epicurean Wine and culinary fundraising event in the Washington D.C. capital region supporting cancer research.
• Austin Epicurean Wine and culinary fundraising event in Austin supporting cancer research.
• Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation program enabling individual donors to provide sustained support for cancer research.
• Honors and Memorial Giving Program Tribute donation program allowing donors to honor or memorialize loved ones affected by cancer through dedicated giving.

Quantifiable outcome

• $22 returned in downstream research funding for every $1 donated
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ESPNcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerESPN is the founding partner of the V Foundation. The partnership includes V Week campaigns broadcast nationally, extensive media coverage of signature events, and ongoing public awareness initiatives that leverage ESPN's significant audience reach.
• Cancer Vaccine CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership focused on accelerating cancer vaccine research through collaborative funding and research coordination among member institutions.
• Dick VitalecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPediatric cancer research fund collaboration through the annual Dick Vitale Gala, which has raised over $120 million for pediatric cancer research.
• NC State AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVictory Over Cancer game partnership with NC State baseball to raise awareness and funds for cancer research through collegiate athletics events.
• Weather WinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Sonoma Epicurean event, supporting the wine-focused fundraising celebration that has raised $13 million total.
• StacheStrongcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$1 million grant partnership for glioblastoma research, combining grassroots fundraising with scientific research funding.
• Wipe Out Kids' CancercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor commitment for pediatric cancer research, combining resources and expertise to advance childhood cancer treatments.
• Jeff Gordon Children's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric cancer research partnership leveraging Jeff Gordon's brand and network to raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer research.
• Bristol Myers SquibbcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCoast 2 Coast 4 Cancer campaign partnership that won the 2023 Halo Award. Collaborative cause marketing and employee giving program.
• Principal Financial GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerV Week sponsor, providing financial support and employee engagement for the annual cancer awareness and fundraising campaign.
• Hockey Fights CancerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL initiative supporting cancer research awareness and fundraising through hockey community engagement.
• Dolphins Cancer ChallengeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMiami Dolphins community initiative raising funds for cancer research, engaging fans and corporate partners.
• Emergency Technical DeconminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting V Foundation events and cancer research initiatives.
• First WatchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant brand partnership supporting cancer research fundraising through cause marketing campaigns.
• UNICO NationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian-American organization partnership supporting cancer research through community fundraising events.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LIVESTRONG Foundation: Cancer-focused nonprofit with broader scope (patient services, survivorship, advocacy) alongside research funding. Less direct as a research grantmaker but comparable brand-driven, donor-engagement model and cancer mission.

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Pediatric cancer charity funding research grants through grassroots and event-driven fundraising. Comparable DIY/community fundraising programs (parallel to V Foundation's DIY and Team V initiatives) and pediatric research grants.
• Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C): Funds collaborative, high-risk cancer research through 'Dream Teams' across leading institutions — nearly identical operating model to V Foundation's high-risk, high-reward grant thesis, with similar celebrity-driven and media-fueled fundraising.
• Susan G. Komen: One of the largest U.S. disease-specific cancer charities (breast cancer), funding research grants alongside advocacy and community programs. Comparable scale, signature-event fundraising (Race for the Cure), and NCI-aligned research grant program.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): Disease-specific cancer charity funding blood-cancer research grants, patient services, and advocacy. Comparable grant-making model, large signature-event fundraising (Light The Night), and sustained 4-star Charity Navigator ratings.
• American Cancer Society: The largest U.S. cancer charity, funding research, patient support, and advocacy. Directly comparable mission (cancer research funding) and donor base; notably, V Foundation's former CEO Shane Jacobson departed in 2025 to lead ACS, making it the most immediate competitive threat.
• Prevent Cancer Foundation: Funds cancer prevention and early-detection research grants across U.S. institutions. Comparable grant-making model targeting NCI-aligned research priorities, though with narrower focus on prevention rather than treatment.
• Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation: Funds high-risk, high-reward cancer research via early-career investigator awards — directly comparable to V Foundation's 'game-changing' grant thesis and Scientific Advisory Committee review process.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Volunteer-driven pediatric cancer research charity best known for head-shaving events. Closely comparable event-led fundraising model and pediatric cancer research grant program.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Funds pediatric cancer research through collaborative institutional partnerships — directly comparable to V Foundation's Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund ($107M+ awarded), though operating at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheVFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/thevfoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about V Foundation