Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

What Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation does

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991, operating as the largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research in the United States. The organization serves children diagnosed with brain tumors and their families through a combination of direct research grants, family financial relief, advocacy, and community-building programs. Its beneficiary population is pediatric brain tumor patients and their caregivers, while its donor and partner base spans individuals, corporate sponsors, and research institutions.

Since inception, PBTF has directed more than $60 million to research initiatives and currently manages approximately $5.3 million in active research funding, with $6.5 million in financial relief provided to families. The foundation generates revenue through diversified channels: individual donations, event-based fundraising, planned giving, non-cash asset donations, and corporate partnerships. Its core product is not a technology platform but rather a programmatic portfolio including Ride for Kids, Vs. Cancer, March for a Cure, PBTF GameON, family support services, and advocacy. Research partnerships with Dana-Farber, Duke, and Vanderbilt extend the foundation's scientific reach.

The foundation's technology and operational infrastructure is conventional for the nonprofit sector: donor CRM, event management, grant administration, and program delivery. It holds 4-Star Charity Navigator and GuideStar Platinum Seal ratings, which are its primary third-party credibility signals. The organization operates primarily in the United States with global research funding reach. Recent corporate partnerships with REVER, Alpinestars, Biltwell, Cardo Systems, Pirelli, and the Comoto Family of Brands suggest a strategic emphasis on lifestyle-brand-aligned fundraising channels, and the February 2026 appointment of Jeffrey Gelfand as Chairman and CEO signals a leadership transition that may shape future strategic direction.

Name

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Legal name

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States, Inc.

Website

https://curethekids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 and the largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research, serving children with brain tumors and their families through research grants, family financial assistance, and community fundraising programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Patient Advocacy Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research
• Family support services
• Charity fundraising events
• Patient advocacy programs
• Childhood brain tumors

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual donors. Monthly giving program called 'Brain Trust' provides sustained support. Employer matching programs amplify individual contributions.
2. Event-Based Fundraising: Peer-to-peer fundraising through signature events including Ride for Kids, Vs. Cancer, March for a Cure, PBTF GameON streaming, and community fundraisers. Corporate sponsors underwrite event costs.
3. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Legacy giving through wills, bequests, and estate planning. Janet Bryant Lunsford contributed a planned gift through her estate.
4. Non-Cash Asset Donations: Accepts stocks, IRAs, Donor Advised Funds, cryptocurrency, and vehicle donations through partnerships like CAREASY.
5. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors like Alpinestars, Biltwell, Cardo Systems, and Pirelli contribute to events. RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles donate 10% of sales on Ride for Kids Day (up to $100,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Funds pediatric brain tumor research, delivers family support services (educational, financial, emotional, and peer support), and advocates for federal and state policies benefiting patients and survivors. Operates signature fundraising programs including Ride for Kids, Vs. Cancer, PBTF GameON, and March for a Cure to support the three mission areas.

Product overview

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation offers a unified portfolio of programs and services organized around three core pillars: Research Funding, Family Support, and Advocacy. Research programs include grant funding for early career investigators and PLGA research. Family support encompasses educational resources (Newly Diagnosed Resource Notebook, Survivorship Resource Guidebook, Imaginary Friend Society videos), financial assistance (Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, Uber Voucher Program), emotional support (Peer-to-Peer Mentoring, Online Support Groups), and Family Navigation Services. Fundraising programs include Ride for Kids, Vs. Cancer, March for a Cure, and PBTF GameON. Advocacy programs work at national and state levels to influence policy for pediatric brain tumor families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ride for Kids: Country's longest-running national motorcycle charity program raising funds for pediatric brain tumor research and family support.
• Vs. Cancer
• PBTF GameON
• Brain Trust

Products and services

• Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Funding Program Funds pediatric brain tumor research through grants to scientists and clinicians, supporting basic, translational, and clinical research aimed at developing new treatments and improving outcomes for children with brain tumors.
• Newly Diagnosed Resource Notebook Educational notebook provided to families of children newly diagnosed with a brain tumor, offering reliable information and guidance through the early stages of treatment.
• Imaginary Friend Society Animated and multimedia educational content designed to help children understand brain tumors, treatment procedures, and hospital experiences in a child-friendly way.
• Survivorship Resource Guidebook Resource guidebook for pediatric brain tumor survivors addressing late effects of treatment, mental and behavioral health, and managing money and life after treatment.
• Emergency Financial Assistance Fund Direct financial support program providing one-time emergency funds to families of pediatric brain tumor patients for non-medical bills such as housing, transportation, and utilities.
• Uber Voucher Program Transportation assistance program providing Uber vouchers to families so that children can get to and from cancer treatment and medical appointments.
• Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program Mentoring program that matches families of pediatric brain tumor patients with trained peer mentors who provide shared experience and emotional support.
• Online Support Groups Virtual support groups hosted online for families and survivors of pediatric brain tumors to provide community and ongoing peer connection.
• Family Navigation Services Personalized guidance service that helps families of pediatric brain tumor patients navigate the cancer journey from diagnosis through survivorship or bereavement.
• Ride for Kids National motorcycle charity program that engages the motorcycling community to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research and family support.
• Vs. Cancer School-based fundraising program that engages students, athletes, and school teams to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and family support.
• March for a Cure Community walk and march fundraising initiative that engages local participants in raising funds and awareness for pediatric brain tumor research and family support.
• PBTF GameON Esports charity program that partners with players, streamers, and gaming communities to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research and family support.
• Advocacy Program Public policy program that engages patients, families, survivors, and allies in advocacy with federal and state lawmakers to advance the interests of the pediatric brain tumor community.

Quantifiable outcome

• $60M+ in research funded since 1991
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christopher Brandle Joy of Life FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2026Committed two research investment grants to PBTF, continuing a decade-long partnership in medulloblastoma research. Second year of 3-year funding for nanomedicine research (Year 2 and 3).
• REVERcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2026World's largest motorcycle GPS app and rider community. Partnership since 2019, with Comoto Family expanding support since 2021. REVER's Million Mile Challenge transforms motorcycle rides into direct support for PBTF research and family assistance. Riders track miles in the app, with corporate sponsors donating per mile.
• AlpinestarscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2026Presenting sponsor of 2026 Million Mile Challenge, pledging 1.25 cents per mile recorded, with total contribution up to $15,000. World-leading manufacturer of professional motorsport racing products, motorcycling protection, and high-performance apparel.
• BiltwellminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2026Committed $5,000 through half-cent per mile donation structure in Million Mile Challenge. California-based manufacturer of custom motorcycle parts, helmets, riding gear, and apparel.
• Cardo SystemsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2026Global leader in wireless communication solutions for powersports. Contributing additional $5,000 toward the Million Mile Challenge initiative.
• PirelliminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2026Major tire manufacturer contributing $5,000 toward the Million Mile Challenge, helping amplify the challenge's impact for PBTF.
• Comoto Family of Brands (RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026America's largest omni-channel powersports platform. Expanding support since 2021. Annual Ride for Kids Bike Meet & Charity Drive in September; donates 10% of all in-store and online sales up to $100,000 on Ride for Kids Day.
• DayOne BiopharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBTF seed funding uncovered a new way to target pediatric low-grade gliomas. DayOne named targeted therapy DAY101 as their first priority for widespread development. FDA awarded Breakthrough Therapy, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Orphan Drug designations.
• Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2022, PBTF funded a first-of-its-kind statistical report by CBTRUS on childhood and adolescent brain cancer, revealing pediatric brain cancer as the childhood cancer community's biggest crisis.
• Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBTF startup funding created PNOC's Operations Center coordinating activities and clinical trial protocols of more than 25 participating research centers worldwide.
• Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBTF funded the launch of SNO's Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Research Conference and has served as premier patient advocacy partner for more than a decade. Biennial meeting for presenting and learning about pediatric brain tumor research advancements.
• Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma/Astrocytoma CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition includes clinicians and researchers from 7 countries and 19 research institutions. Goal is to accelerate research into the most common form of pediatric brain tumors by finding common ground for evaluating and treating patients.
• Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBTF supports CBTN's essential data, technology, and human infrastructure for precision medicine. CBTN has more than 8,000 participants enrolled and one of world's largest AI-ready ecosystems of clinical, genomic, molecular, and imaging data.
• Brain Tumor Funders' CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative funding partner for CSF-based liquid biopsy platform project. Supports global alliance of more than 20 institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
• CAREASYminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation processing partner. Guides donors through cost-free vehicle donation process. Call 855-500-RIDE (7433) or visit careasy.org.
• Dana-Farber Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple research collaborations including early career funding for Dr. Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay who received PBTF Early Career grant and later established independent lab dedicated to pediatric brain tumors.
• Duke UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBTF funding supported Dr. Zachary James Reitman's first major publication from new lab. Results will guide clinical trial design for children with brain tumors.
• Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at VanderbiltminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Michael Dewan noted that partnering with PBTF has changed what is possible. Work together will have direct impact on children in US and around the world.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Children's Tumor Foundation: Nonprofit driving research, patient support, and advocacy for neurofibromatosis, which includes pediatric brain tumor patients. Comparable rare pediatric disease research and family support model.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer research nonprofit using peer-to-peer fundraising and events. Comparable small-grants research funding model and youth-focused donor engagement approach.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Childhood cancer research charity with signature head-shaving peer-to-peer fundraising events. Comparable volunteer-driven event model and dedicated pediatric oncology research funding focus.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Childhood cancer nonprofit that funds pediatric cancer research and provides family support. Closely comparable disease-focused mission, peer-to-peer fundraising model, and research-grantmaking approach.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National grassroots organization supporting children with cancer and their families through advocacy, information, and resources. Comparable family-facing support services and federal advocacy approach.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Children's cancer nonprofit funding research across all pediatric cancer types and supporting affected families. Comparable disease-specific research funding and family services structure.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit focused exclusively on pediatric cancer research funding and family support. Directly comparable mission scope and hospital/research partnership model.
• National Brain Tumor Society: Brain tumor advocacy organization funding research and driving policy, though spanning both adult and pediatric populations. Closely comparable brain-tumor-specific research and advocacy model.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer nonprofit funding broad cancer research, patient support, and advocacy across all cancer types. Overlaps with PBTF's mission but operates at much larger scale and is not pediatric-specific.
• Livestrong Foundation: Cancer survivorship nonprofit providing navigation, financial, and emotional support to people affected by cancer. Comparable patient-navigation and family-support orientation, but not pediatric-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PBTF
• YouTubeyoutube.com/PediatricBrainTumorFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/curethekids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pediatric-brain-tumor-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/pbtf_events
• TikToktiktok.com/@thepbtf

Compliance4 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 Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation