Carson Leslie Foundation

What Carson Leslie Foundation does

Carson Leslie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Dallas, Texas, founded in 2010 by the family of Carson Leslie after his death from medulloblastoma at age 17. The foundation operates three programmatic pillars: (1) Research, channeling charitable funding exclusively toward medulloblastoma and pediatric brain cancer research through collaborations with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT, including a $3.2M Carson Leslie Research Grants collaboration), Texas Children's Hospital, the Children's Brain Tumor Network, and from 2026 onward ASCO Conquer Cancer's Young Investigator Award program; (2) Encouragement, operating Carson's Corner — a dedicated teen-space program on the oncology floor at Children's Health Dallas serving over 800 patients annually, expanded to additional Texas institutions via a Jordan Spieth Family Foundation partnership; and (3) Advocacy & Action, led by co-founder Annette Leslie through the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, which has supported passage of four federal laws including the STAR Act and RACE for Children Act.

The foundation's underlying technology is non-existent by design — it is a grant-making and program-operating nonprofit rather than a technology developer. Its primary 'products' are research grants, encouragement programs, advocacy output, and Carson's published memoir 'Carry Me,' which has sold over 50,000 copies and is preserved in the Library of Congress. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, fundraising events (Triggerman Trifecta, Women's Night Out, Golden Toast in Washington D.C., and Hoot & Holler benefit concert), peer-to-peer fundraising, and book sales, with the organization stating 85 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to its three pillars. Customer segments include pediatric brain cancer patients and families (program beneficiaries), medulloblastoma researchers (grant recipients), individual donors, and corporate event sponsors, with co-founder Annette Leslie having secured the increase of CPRIT childhood cancer research investment from 3% to 12% since 2010.

Name

Carson Leslie Foundation

Legal name

Carson Leslie Foundation

Website

https://carsonlesliefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carson Leslie Foundation is a Dallas-based nonprofit that funds medulloblastoma research exclusively, runs teen encouragement programs at Texas pediatric hospitals, and advocates for childhood cancer legislation at the federal level.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Childhood Cancer Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding (HLAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Childhood cancer research
• Medulloblastoma funding
• Patient encouragement programs
• Cancer advocacy services
• Nonprofit foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting childhood cancer research. Donors can give through secure online portal.
2. Book Sales - Carry Me: Proceeds from Carson's book 'Carry Me' go directly to research initiatives. Book published 6 days before his death, preserved in Library of Congress, sold over 50K copies.
3. Fundraising Events: Multi-event series including Triggerman Trifecta (clay shoot, archery, rifle), Women's Night Out, annual Golden Toast gala, and Hoot & Holler concert. Corporate sponsorships also part of event revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Carson Leslie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that funds medulloblastoma-specific research, delivers encouragement and mental health programs (including Carson's Corner teen spaces) for young cancer patients, and conducts federal-level advocacy to address critical childhood cancer funding needs. It supplements its mission through signature fundraising events, donor contributions, and proceeds from Carson Leslie's memoir 'Carry Me'.

Product overview

The Carson Leslie Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization with three core programmatic pillars: (1) Medulloblastoma Research Funding, a dedicated research investment solely focused on medulloblastoma, (2) Encouragement Program providing specialized mental health support and joy for young cancer patients through initiatives like Carson’s Corner teen spaces, and (3) Advocacy & Action amplifying the voices of children with cancer at the federal level. The foundation also operates supplementary programs including the Researchers RoundUp collaboration with CPRIT, the CBTN Medulloblastoma Liquid Biopsy Program, ASCO Young Investigator Award, Texas Children’s Biomarker Project, and publishes Carson’s memoir Carry Me with proceeds funding research. Community engagement is supported through signature events including the Golden Toast, Hoot & Holler benefit concert, Triggerman Trifecta sporting series, and Women’s Night Out.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medulloblastoma Research Funding Funding dedicated solely to medulloblastoma research, supporting investigators, clinical trials, and scientific breakthroughs to find a cure for this pediatric brain cancer.
• Encouragement Program Specialized mental health support and moments of joy that empower young cancer patients, including Carson's Corner teen spaces at hospitals and community-building experiences.
• Advocacy & Action Federal-level advocacy to address critical funding needs for medulloblastoma research, amplifying the voices of children with cancer through the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus.
• Researchers RoundUp High-level collaboration held every 2-3 years between the Carson Leslie Foundation and CPRIT, bringing together childhood cancer investigators to discuss emerging data and identify the next frontier of cures.
• Carson's Corner A dedicated teen space on the oncology floor at Children's Health Dallas, stocked with art supplies, gaming systems, and more, serving over 800 patients each year and providing comfort and connection for teens facing cancer.
• Carry Me Book A book written by Carson Leslie during his battle with brain cancer, offering readers perspective on how words and actions affect those around them. Over 50,000 copies sold. Proceeds fund medulloblastoma research.
• Golden Toast Annual celebration in Washington, D.C. honoring childhood cancer nonprofits, survivors, families, and Congressional leaders who have advanced lifesaving legislation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased CPRIT childhood cancer investment from 3% to 12%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• ASCO Conquer Cancer (American Society of Clinical Oncology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Starting in 2026, CLF is supporting the Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award with ASCO. This program advances promising early-career researchers pursuing innovative, mentor-guided work in clinical oncology. Provides critical funding during transition from fellowship to faculty.
• CPRIT (Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLF partners with CPRIT on Researchers RoundUp, a high-level collaboration bringing together brightest childhood cancer investigators across Texas every 2-3 years. Together they have launched the Carson Leslie Research Grants for Pediatric Brain Cancers, a $3.2M CPRIT/CLF collaboration. Annette Leslie serves on CPRIT’s $6B Advisory Council for Childhood Cancers.
• Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLF supports CBTN’s Medulloblastoma Liquid Biopsy Program, a multi-year initiative validating biomarker mir-216b-5p using cerebrospinal fluid for earlier, less invasive monitoring of disease recurrence. Also supports expansion of one of the largest longitudinal CSF biobanks.
• Jordan Spieth Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValued partnership allowing Carson’s Corner to expand to all major institutions in Texas who care for teen cancer patients. Foundation support enables program growth and reach.
• Children’s Health DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to Carson’s Corner, a dedicated teen space on the oncology floor created in Carson’s honor. The program serves over 800 patients each year and reflects Carson’s wish to help the next kid diagnosed with cancer.
• Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus (CCCC)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCLF co-founded by Annette Leslie works with CCCC led by Congressman Michael McCaul. Together they have passed 4 laws benefiting childhood cancer including the STAR Act, RACE for Children Act, and Mikaela Naylon Give Kids A Chance Act. Annette Leslie founded and chairs the annual Golden Toast in Washington D.C.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National childhood cancer research grantmaking nonprofit with comparable three-pillar mission (research, family support, advocacy). Most direct comparable due to overlapping pediatric cancer research funding focus, donor-driven model, and event-based fundraising.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Largest volunteer-driven childhood cancer research funder in the U.S. Comparable in event-based fundraising (head-shaving events), pediatric cancer research grantmaking, and federal advocacy priorities. Direct overlap on pediatric brain tumor funding.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Leading nonprofit specifically dedicated to pediatric brain tumor research and family support. Closest disease-overlap peer; both fund research, support families, and run community programs but PBTF has a broader brain tumor mandate vs. CLF's medulloblastoma-only focus.
• Children's Brain Tumor Foundation: Direct peer in pediatric brain tumor research funding and family support. Comparable nonprofit structure with research grantmaking and family services programs, though broader pediatric brain tumor scope than CLF's medulloblastoma-only mandate.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer research grantmaking nonprofit with peer-to-peer fundraising model. Comparable in event-driven revenue, research grantmaking, and family advocacy; similar size and operational scale to CLF.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Pediatric cancer research nonprofit with comparable research funding model and Sunshine Project consortium. Overlapping mission of funding less toxic, more targeted treatments for childhood cancers including brain tumors.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Childhood cancer research and advocacy nonprofit. Comparable in research grantmaking (Accelerate Initiative), federal advocacy focus, and family resources; broader disease mandate than CLF.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National grassroots advocacy and support organization for children with cancer. Comparable in federal advocacy work (closely tied to the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus), local support programs, and parent-led community model.

Broad incumbents

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major cancer research grantmaking organization covering all cancer types including pediatric. Comparable grantmaking function and high-profile event fundraising (e.g., Dick Vitale gala), but vastly larger scale and broader cancer mandate vs. CLF's medulloblastoma focus.
• National Brain Tumor Society: Major brain tumor research and advocacy nonprofit with broader adult and pediatric mandate. Comparable federal advocacy and research funding programs, but significantly larger scale and wider disease scope than CLF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/carsonleslie3
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnQkBDTlvPtb_6sC9X8V_4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/carsonlesliefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carsonlesliefoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/carrrymecarson

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Carson Leslie Foundation