Tower Cancer Research Foundation

What Tower Cancer Research Foundation does

Tower Cancer Research Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered at 8767 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. The organization operates a dual mission: funding early-stage, high-risk cancer research that conventional funding systems overlook, and providing free patient support services through its Magnolia House division. On the research side, Tower functions as an "angel investor in science," awarding grants (typically $100K per investigator) to early-career physician-scientists across seven major Southern California institutions including UCLA, USC, Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, UC San Diego, and T-Gen. Since 2016, the foundation has invested approximately $12.1 million across 29 unique grant recipients, claiming contribution to 15 FDA approvals and a 15x funding multiplier effect ($1.5M in follow-on funding unlocked per $100K invested).

The Magnolia House division delivers free in-person and virtual wellness services to cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors, including yoga, Pilates, art therapy, nutrition, mind-body wellness, fitness classes, and individual telehealth therapy. The organization also operates a Clinical Trial Network platform connecting institutions with patients for trial recruitment. Tower's business model is donation-funded through four primary streams: individual donations, corporate partnerships with tiered sponsorships ($5K-$25K+ across pharmaceutical, healthcare, legal, and consumer brands), planned giving via the Legacy Society, and signature fundraising events including the annual Tower of Hope Gala, Spirit of Hope Luncheon, Tower Tournament, Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run, and Cancer Free Generation Celebrity Poker Tournament. The organization maintains a small operational team (1-10 employees) and is led by Executive Director and Chief Philanthropy Officer Matt Zarcufsky. Notable recent moves include the 2024 integration of the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research and a 2024 partnership with Lipstick Angels expanding patient wellness programming.

Name

Tower Cancer Research Foundation

Legal name

Tower Cancer Research Foundation

Website

https://towercancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tower Cancer Research Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds early-stage cancer research at Southern California institutions and provides free patient wellness services through its Magnolia House division. It serves early-career researchers, cancer patients, caregivers, corporate sponsors, and planned-giving donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research Funding and Patient Support

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Cancer research funding
• Patient support services
• Nonprofit health philanthropy
• Early-career research grants
• Wellness program services

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time and recurring donations, with options for tribute gifts and memorial donations. The organization offers various giving programs including general donations, fundraising event participation, and named grant opportunities.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events and programs at tiered levels ($5K-$25K+), including logo placement, event access, and brand alignment with Tower's mission. Sponsors include pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions, and entertainment companies.
3. Planned Giving and Legacy Donations: The organization accepts planned gifts including IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and beneficiary designations. Donors are welcomed into the Legacy Society for estate-planned gifts.
4. Event Revenue: Fundraising events generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and silent auctions at events including the Tower of Hope Gala, Spirit of Hope Luncheon, Tower Tournament, and Power of Tower 5K.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tower Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds early-stage, high-risk cancer research through grants to early-career scientists at major Southern California research institutions (UCLA, USC, Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, CHLA, UC San Diego). Through its flagship Magnolia House division, it provides free wellness, support, and telehealth therapy services directly to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Product overview

Tower Cancer Research Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization with a dual focus: funding early-stage cancer research and providing patient support through Magnolia House. The core research product funds high-risk, high-reward scientific projects through a grants program that has invested $12.1 million since 2016, contributing to 15 FDA approvals. The primary patient support product is Magnolia House, a comprehensive wellness platform offering free in-person and virtual classes including yoga, pilates, fitness and movement, art therapy, mind-body wellness (reiki, sound healing), nutrition, and individual telehealth therapy. Secondary programs include the Clinical Trial Network platform for connecting patients with research opportunities, and multiple fundraising events including the Tower of Hope Gala, Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run, Tower Tournament, Spirit of Hope Luncheon, and Cancer Free Generation Celebrity Poker Tournament. A notable partnership with Lipstick Angels provides beauty and wellness classes for cancer patients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Magnolia House: Tower Cancer Research Foundation's flagship patient support division providing free wellness and community services to cancer patients, including classes, tools, and care throughout their journey.

Products and services

• Magnolia House Free wellness and community services division for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones, providing in-person and virtual classes, telehealth therapy, and care throughout the cancer journey.
• Clinical Trial Network Platform connecting cancer patients with research institutions conducting clinical trials, providing targeted outreach and digital visibility for clinical trial recruitment.
• Research and Grants Program Funding program providing grants to early-career cancer researchers pursuing high-risk, high-reward early-stage research. Since 2016, $12.1 million invested across 29 grant recipients contributing to 15 FDA approvals.
• Tower of Hope Gala Annual signature black-tie fundraiser bringing together supporters, scientists, and advocates to raise funds for cancer research and patient support programs.
• Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run Annual community walk/run event inviting Los Angeles community members to run or walk in honor of those affected by cancer, raising funds for research and patient support.
• Tower Tournament Annual golf tournament fundraiser providing a premier experience for golf enthusiasts to raise awareness and funding for cancer research.
• Spirit of Hope Luncheon Annual fundraising luncheon presented by the Magnolia Council since 2009, bringing together women philanthropists from entertainment, politics, business, and medicine. Has raised over $6 million for research and patient support.
• Yoga Classes Gentle, accessible yoga classes welcoming all levels, including those in active treatment or managing chronic conditions. Includes gentle flow, nidra meditation, release and restore, and gentle yoga therapeutics.
• Pilates Classes Pilates classes offering options for every level and need, from gentle chair-based work to mat classes that build core strength, balance, and full-body conditioning.
• Fitness and Movement Classes Cardio, strength, and functional movement classes including aerobics, dance sculpt, flexibility and alignment, and weight training in a welcoming environment.
• Art Therapy and Creative Expression Art therapy classes using the process of making art—drawing, painting, collage—as a pathway to emotional and physical healing. No artistic experience required.
• Mind-Body Wellness Classes Classes offering sanctuary for deep relaxation, inner healing, and self-discovery through sound, energy, movement, and meditation. Includes reiki, crystal sound bath, and emotional healing series.
• Nutrition Classes Practical, hands-on nutrition guidance covering anti-inflammatory eating, gut health, immunity, energy, and healthy cooking classes.
• Individual Telehealth Therapy Program providing 10 weekly phone sessions with a therapist, offering emotional support and techniques to deal with the difficulties of cancer diagnosis. Includes a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Program.
• Lipstick Angels Classes Beauty and wellness support classes led by oncology-trained makeup artists and estheticians, offering skincare techniques, makeup application, and holistic wellness practices tailored for cancer patients.
• Cancer Free Generation Celebrity Poker Tournament Annual celebrity poker tournament raising funds for cancer research and patient support programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $12.1 million invested in early-stage cancer research since 2016
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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.

• Lipstick AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2024Collaboration to offer beauty and wellness support classes for the Los Angeles cancer community. Classes covering skincare, makeup techniques, and holistic wellness practices are held monthly at Tower's Beverly Hills facility. The partnership extends Tower's impact by providing self-care and wellness education to cancer patients.
• UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research institution receiving Tower Career Development Grants for early-career cancer researchers. UCLA faculty members serve on Tower's Scientific Advisory Board and receive grant funding for innovative cancer research projects.
• USC Keck School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with University of Southern California for cancer research grants. USC researchers including those in the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center receive funding for early-stage research.
• Cedars-Sinai Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished $2 million Experimental Therapeutics Endowment Fund with Cedars-Sinai in 2012 for clinical trials. Ongoing research partnership with Cedars-Sinai investigators receiving Career Development Grants. Tower sponsors at $15K+ level.
• City of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope. Tower funds researchers including Dr. Prajish Iyer studying metabolic vulnerabilities in Richter's Transformation.
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric cancer research partnership. CHLA researchers including Dr. Jessica Tsai receive Tower grants for innovative childhood cancer research including atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors.
• UC San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership funding researchers including Dr. Kentson Lam studying proteostasis network targeting in myeloid malignancies. UC San Diego faculty serve on Tower's Scientific Advisory Board.
• T-Gen (Translational Genomics Research Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership formed in 2005 for Phase I clinical trials. Tower joined T-Gen Roundtable along with Mayo Clinic, City of Hope and others. Partnership enables early-stage clinical trial development.
• PfizercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at $10K+ level. Pfizer also sponsors Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run as Bronze sponsor. Partnership includes corporate giving and event sponsorship.
• Gilead SciencescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at $10K+ level for Tower events. Silver sponsor of Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run. Partnership supports Tower's research and patient support mission.
• Incyte CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at $15K+ level. Incyte also sponsors Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run as Bronze sponsor. Partnership supports cancer research funding.
• Cedars-Sinai Medical CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at $15K+ level for Tower events. Silver sponsor of Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run. Major research partner with $2M endowment fund.
• Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at $15K+ level. Gibson Dunn team 'Motion to Cure' participates in Power of Tower 5K as fundraising team.
• Veronica BeardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at $25K+ Visionary level for Tower events. Fashion brand partnership supporting cancer research.
• Bristol-Myers SquibbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of Power of Tower 5K Walk/Run. Pharmaceutical company partnership supporting cancer research mission.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• City of Hope: A major NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and research institution that both conducts research and operates patient support services — Tower is a research partner and funder of City of Hope investigators, making it a directly adjacent institutional peer.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: A leading academic medical center conducting and funding cancer research with extensive patient care programs, comparable to Tower's partner institutions but operating its own research portfolio at much greater scale.
• American Cancer Society: The largest U.S. nonprofit funding cancer research, patient support, and advocacy; operates across the full cancer continuum and dwarfs Tower in scale, but addresses the same dual research + patient support mission.
• Susan G. Komen: The largest breast cancer-focused nonprofit, funding research grants and patient support services across the U.S., directly comparable to Tower's breast cancer research and Magnolia House patient support activities.
• LIVESTRONG Foundation: National nonprofit supporting cancer survivors through programs, advocacy, and direct services, comparable to Tower's Magnolia House patient support mission but at national scale.

Direct peers

• Stand Up To Cancer: A charitable program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that funds collaborative, high-risk cancer research 'Dream Teams,' closely comparable to Tower's high-risk early-stage cancer research grantmaking focus.
• Prevent Cancer Foundation: Funds cancer prevention and early-detection research through grants and community outreach, sharing Tower's model of grantmaking for early-stage cancer research with measurable patient impact.
• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Founded in 1993 by Jim Valvano, the V Foundation funds translational and early-stage cancer research through grants and has become one of the most prominent cancer research grantmaking nonprofits in the U.S., directly comparable to Tower's grantmaking model and mission.
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): Funds pancreatic cancer research grants and provides patient support services, comparable to Tower's disease-specific research funding and patient services model at a single-cancer focus.
• Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation: Funds early-career cancer researchers through fellowship and innovation grants, with a focus on high-risk, high-reward science — directly comparable to Tower's career development grants and angel-investor approach to cancer research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TowerCancer
• Facebookfacebook.com/TowerCancerResearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/towercancerresearch
• Instagraminstagram.com/towercancerresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Tower Cancer Research Foundation