The Oral Cancer Foundation

What The Oral Cancer Foundation does

The Oral Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity founded in 1999 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by Brian Hill, a Stage IV oral cancer survivor treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and his wife Ingrid Hill. Its mission is to reduce incidence and mortality of oral and oropharyngeal cancers through prevention education, early-detection programs, research funding, patient support, and policy advocacy. The foundation serves four user groups: oral cancer patients, survivors and their families; dental and medical professionals (including over 150,000 hygienists engaged through the 'Be Part of the Change' campaign); researchers and advocates focused on HPV-related cancers and tobacco control; and the general public, reached via the Check Your Mouth™ self-screening initiative at CheckYourMouth.org.

The organization's core programs span a digital ecosystem built around oralcancerfoundation.org (information, blog, news), oralcancersupport.org (a forum of 13,000+ registered members with 250,000+ searchable threads, the world's largest online oral cancer support community), the Oral Cancer Answers podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, the Check Your Mouth™ self-screening tool, the Rodeo Tobacco Outreach program in partnership with professional rodeo athletes, and an annual grants program funding peer-reviewed oral cancer research. Free oral cancer screening events and walk/run fundraising events are delivered physically across the United States. Operations are governed by a Scientific Advisory Board that includes Dr. Maura Gillison (the Johns Hopkins/MD Anderson researcher who established the HPV-16 link to oral cancer) and Dr. Niven R. Narain (BERG CEO, Interrogative Biology AI platform, 650+ patents). A coalition of nine major dental associations — including the Academy of General Dentistry Foundation, AAOMS, AAOMP, AAOMR, AAP, ACP, AAOM, ADHA, and CDHA — partners annually on Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

The foundation is funded entirely by donations and does not charge for any service. Revenue streams include individual donations from patients, survivors, families and medical/dental professionals, walk/run event fundraising, and corporate sponsorships, with pharmaceutical industry contributions explicitly capped below 5% of total income since inception to preserve independence. Annual program-fund efficiency runs at 85% of donations to mission, with 17.5% to overhead. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The organization operates with 1–10 employees, and both co-founders and its Director of Patient Support Services passed away in 2024–2026, leaving continuity of leadership as the principal operating question for the entity going forward.

Name

The Oral Cancer Foundation

Legal name

The Oral Cancer Foundation

Website

https://oralcancerfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Oral Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity founded in 1999 that funds oral cancer research, delivers free patient support and screening programs, and runs awareness and advocacy campaigns for patients, survivors, dental professionals, and the general public across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Primary funding source from individuals who have been personally affected by oral cancer, including patients, survivors, and their families, as well as medical and dental professionals who support the cause
2. Walk/Run Event Fundraising: Annual oral cancer awareness walk/run events that serve as a primary source of donations and community engagement
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support public outreach and events; pharma industry contributions represent less than 5% of total income since inception, predominantly used for public events like screening events rather than website or content

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Oral Cancer Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) public service charity that provides free oral and oropharyngeal cancer information, patient support, public awareness campaigns, research grants, and advocacy. It operates the world's largest online oral cancer support forum, free screening events, an educational podcast, and initiatives such as the Check Your Mouth self-screening campaign, the Be Part of the Change dental hygienist program, and the Rodeo Tobacco Outreach program.

Product overview

The Oral Cancer Foundation operates as a public service nonprofit providing a comprehensive ecosystem of oral cancer awareness, prevention, and patient support services. The organization offers multiple interconnected programs including the Check Your Mouth™ self-screening campaign, the Oral Cancer Answers Podcast for patient and professional education, the Be Part of the Change™ campaign engaging dental hygienists in early screening, and the Rodeo Tobacco Outreach program for anti-tobacco messaging. Key support services include the world's largest online oral cancer patient support forum with 13,000+ members, free screening events, walk/run fundraising events, research funding grants, clinical trial resources, nutrition and feeding tube support, and financial assistance programs. The foundation disseminates information through hundreds of web pages, podcasts, blog content, and RSS feeds, while also providing HPV vaccination advocacy and tobacco cessation support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Check Your Mouth™: Public self-screening and referral initiative to increase early-stage discovery of oral cancer
• Rodeo – Tobacco Outreach
• Oral Cancer Answers Podcast
• Be part of the change™

Products and services

• Check Your Mouth™ Self-Screening Campaign Public awareness campaign encouraging individuals to regularly self-check for signs and symptoms of oral cancer at home and seek professional evaluation if symptoms persist.
• Oral Cancer Answers Podcast Monthly podcast discussing oral cancer-related issues for patients, survivors, advocates, and medical and dental professionals.
• Be Part of the Change™ Campaign Professional campaign partnering with over 150,000 registered dental hygienists across the US to incorporate oral cancer screening into routine patient visits.
• Rodeo Tobacco Outreach Program Anti-tobacco campaign using rodeo athlete spokespersons to deliver a 'Be Smart. Don't Start' message to youth in rodeo and rural American communities.
• Online Oral Cancer Support Forum Anonymous online discussion forum monitored for appropriateness, providing peer support and information for oral cancer patients, survivors, and families.
• OCF Walk/Run Events Awareness and fundraising events held across the US to support oral cancer research, screening initiatives, and patient services.
• Free Oral Cancer Screening Events Free oral cancer screening events offered to the public during Oral Cancer Awareness Month (April) and throughout the year in collaboration with dental professionals.
• Oral Cancer Research Funding Program Annual grant program funding peer-reviewed scientific research to improve oral cancer treatments and overall survival rates.
• Financial Assistance and Equipment Program Program providing equipment assistance including free Vitamix blenders to qualifying patients with swallowing dysfunction and financial guidance resources for patients and families.
• Clinical Trial Resources Information service connecting patients to clinical trials, including immunotherapy trials, to help them explore treatment options when standard approaches are insufficient.
• Nutrition and Feeding Tube Support Comprehensive resources on nutrition during treatment, PEG tube feeding, commercial formulas, homemade tube nutrition, and tube feeding systems for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80-90% survival rate when oral cancers are found at early stages of development
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, flagship and strategic.

• Academy of General Dentistry FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Major dental association partner joining OCF in annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month campaign. Collaborates on raising awareness for oral cancer screenings and early detection importance.
• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial PathologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner in Oral Cancer Awareness Month initiative, supporting early detection messaging and public education efforts.
• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial RadiologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Dental specialty partner collaborating on oral cancer awareness campaigns and screening advocacy.
• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Major oral surgery organization partnering on awareness month initiatives and screening programs.
• American Academy of Oral MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner organization supporting oral cancer awareness and professional education efforts.
• American Academy of PeriodontologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Dental specialty partner in annual awareness campaigns for oral cancer early detection.
• American College of ProsthodonticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner in Oral Cancer Awareness Month initiatives focusing on professional and public education.
• American Dental Hygienists' AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Key partner for 'Be Part of the Change' campaign engaging over 150,000 hygienists in oral cancer screening; critical for early discovery paradigm.
• Canadian Dental Hygienists AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022International partner in oral cancer awareness and screening initiatives.
• California Dental Hygienists' AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022State-level partner supporting oral cancer awareness campaigns and screening events.
• Stanley TuccikeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2022Award-winning actor joined as advisory board member; survivor of oral cancer bringing visibility and credibility to the foundation's mission.
• Dr. Niven R. NaraincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Co-founder, president and CEO of BERG (Boston-based biopharma) joined Scientific Advisory Board; expert in cancer systems biology and AI with over 650 issued and pending patents.
• Dr. Maura GillisonflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Key researcher from Johns Hopkins (now at MD Anderson Cancer Center) who discovered HPV16 connection to oral cancer; mentor to OCF founder and co-funded research leading to two decades of peer-reviewed publications.
• Ziggy MarleykeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2018Eight-time Grammy winner and humanitarian partnered with OCF to support oral cancer awareness and fundraising efforts.
• Jo-Anne Jones, RDHkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Prominent dental hygienist and educator featured in 'Oral Cancer Answers' podcast and 'Be Part of the Change' campaign for professional education.
• Mac DanzigkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2017UFC fighter partnered with OCF to help 'knockout' oral cancer through public awareness and anti-tobacco messaging.
• Nancy Berger (Marie Claire)strategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2017Vice President/Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of Marie Claire magazine partnered for awareness and media visibility.
• CharityBuzzstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2017Auction house partnered with OCF for fundraising and awareness initiatives.
• Hu-FriedystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Dental instrument manufacturer partnered with OCF for 'Be Part of the Change' campaign; strategic partner supporting RDH education and screening initiatives.
• Carly TwisselmankeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Professional barrel racer and TV host joined as second rodeo spokesperson for anti-tobacco outreach in rodeo communities with 'Be Smart – Don't Start' messaging.
• Cody KiserkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Professional rodeo cowboy bareback bronc rider joined as first rodeo spokesperson in 2014 for 'Be Smart – Don't Start' tobacco cessation program targeting youth in rodeo communities.
• MD Anderson Cancer CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed the 'MAKE ORAL CANCER HISTORY' slogan from MD Anderson as part of mutual efforts to fight cancer. This is a significant partnership with the renowned cancer center.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCF founder Brian Hill serves on NCI Oversight Committee on Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer; foundation advocates for increased NCI research funding.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• American Dental Association: Largest US dental professional association, addressing prevention and education across oral health including cancer screening. Comparable in the dental professional ecosystem OCF engages, though a broader membership body rather than a cancer-specific charity.
• American Head and Neck Society: Professional society for head and neck surgery and oncology specialists. Engages overlapping clinicians and researchers relevant to OCF's Scientific Advisory Board and professional education work, though primarily a membership organization rather than a public-facing charity.

Broad incumbents

• Stand Up To Cancer: High-profile cancer research fundraising nonprofit with focus on collaborative, multi-institutional research. Comparable in research funding and awareness mission and operationally similar donor-dependent model, though broader than oral cancer.
• LIVESTRONG Foundation: Major cancer-support nonprofit providing patient navigation, survivorship resources, and advocacy. Comparable in mission (cancer patient support) and nonprofit operating model, though broader in cancer-type scope than OCF.
• American Cancer Society: Large US cancer nonprofit with broad portfolio across multiple cancer types. While not specialized in oral cancer, it funds head and neck cancer research, public education, and screening initiatives that overlap with OCF's mission.
• National Foundation for Cancer Research: Nonprofit funding cancer research and providing public education across cancer types. Comparable grantmaking and research-funding orientation, though it serves all cancers rather than specializing in oral cancer.

Direct peers

• Head and Neck Cancer Alliance: US nonprofit focused on awareness, prevention, and patient support for head and neck cancers. Operates the 'Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week' screening initiative, directly comparable to OCF's screening and awareness programs.
• Oral Health Foundation: UK-based independent oral health charity providing public information, education, and awareness campaigns on oral diseases including cancer. Most direct international analog to OCF in mission scope and nonprofit-driven model.
• Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC): National nonprofit focused on patient support and education for oral, head, and neck cancer patients. Directly comparable to OCF in service to the same patient population, including survivor support groups and information resources.
• Oral Cancer Cause: Nonprofit dedicated to oral cancer awareness, education, and patient support. Operates in the same niche with emphasis on early detection and survivor assistance, making it a close mission-aligned peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oralcancerfnd
• Facebookfacebook.com/oralcancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oral-cancer-foundation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Oral Cancer Foundation