What Lustgarten Foundation does

The Lustgarten Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 in Woodbury, New York, dedicated exclusively to funding pancreatic cancer research. It is the world's largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, having directed nearly $333 million across 386 research projects over nearly 28 years, accounting for roughly two-thirds of global private funding for the disease. The foundation operates a 100%-of-donations-to-research model, receiving no administrative or fundraising cost allocation, with revenue sourced from individual donations, corporate partnerships, Walk for Research events, the annual Inspiring Hope Gala, and planned giving vehicles.

The foundation's core scientific platform is the Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science (LABS) Program, a network of six dedicated research laboratories at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Johns Hopkins (Jaffee and Vogelstein Labs), MIT (Jacks Lab), Dana-Farber (Wolpin Lab), and Salk Institute (Shaw Lab). It supports clinical research including the PASS-01 trial integrating genomic profiling and patient-derived organoids, the Clinical Accelerator Initiative, the LUCID clinical information database, and the Early Events Program for pre-clinical research. Strategic collaborations with Stand Up To Cancer (Pancreatic Cancer Collective), Exact Sciences (CancerGuard multi-cancer early detection), Revolution Medicines (Daraxonrasib KRAS-targeted therapy), and the Coalition to Accelerate Early Detection of Deadly Cancers extend its translational reach.

The foundation serves four primary constituencies: pancreatic cancer patients and survivors (providing clinical trial navigation, survivor stories, and the CAPS screening study), researchers and scientists (providing grant funding and career development awards), donors and corporate partners (fundraising engagement), and caregivers (educational resources through the Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer affiliate platform). It is governed by a Board chaired by Andrew Lustgarten, with Linda Tantawi serving as CEO, Kerri Kaplan as President, and scientific leadership provided by David Tuveson as Chief Scientist and Elizabeth Jaffee as Chief Medical Advisor.

Name

Lustgarten Foundation

Legal name

The Lustgarten Foundation

Website

https://lustgarten.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Lustgarten Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the world's largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, directing nearly $333 million across 386 research projects via six dedicated labs and multiple clinical trial programs. It serves patients, researchers, donors, and caregivers through its research portfolio, patient navigation tools, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pancreatic Cancer Research Funding

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH), Charitable Giving & Philanthropic Trust Advisory (FSAEAKAH)

Keywords

• Pancreatic cancer research
• Cancer research funding
• Nonprofit foundation
• Early detection research
• Personalized cancer medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely by donations. 100% of donations fund pancreatic cancer research, with no funds used for administrative or fundraising costs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners support the foundation through sponsorships, matching gifts, and the Corporate Partner Program, including Walk for Research sponsorships.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Walk for Research events, fundraise-your-way campaigns, gala events including the annual Inspiring Hope Gala, and tribute fundraising.
4. Planned Giving: Donor advised funds, bequests, IRA charitable distributions, and stock donations.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Lustgarten Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that funds pancreatic cancer research through grants, dedicated laboratory programs, clinical trials, and patient support initiatives. The foundation directs 100% of donations to research, operating the LABS (Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science) Program at six elite institutions, the Clinical Accelerator Initiative, the PASS-01 Trial, and patient platforms such as Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer.

Product overview

The Lustgarten Foundation operates as a research funding organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of grant programs funding pancreatic cancer research, including the LABS (Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science) Program supporting six dedicated research laboratories, clinical research initiatives such as the PASS-01 Trial and Clinical Accelerator Initiative, patient support programs including the CAPS screening study and Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer platform, and career development awards for emerging researchers. The Foundation directs 100% of donations to research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer: An affiliate of the Lustgarten Foundation creating a novel website enabling doctors, scientists and patients to share important information to help patients find support, treatment options and clinical trials.
• Lustgarten Labs (LABS Program)
• Pancreatic Cancer Collective

Products and services

• Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science (LABS) Program A collaborative network of dedicated pancreatic cancer research laboratories funding world-renowned scientists at leading institutions including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, MIT, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins, and Salk Institute to accelerate discovery and treatment development.
• Clinical Research Programs Includes the Clinical Accelerator Initiative (CAI), LEAD Grant, LUCID database, and PASS-01 Trial for predicting pancreatic tumor response through organoid testing. Funds clinical research programs designed to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into new therapies for pancreatic cancer patients.
• Pre-Clinical Research Program Early Events Program focused on understanding initial pancreatic cancer development and progression mechanisms. Funds pre-clinical research to identify early disease pathways and intervention targets.
• Pancreatic Cancer Screening Programs CAPS (Cancer of the Pancreas Screening) Study and Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer platform providing patient navigation, clinical trial matching, and survivor stories. Supports early detection efforts and helps high-risk individuals access screening services.
• Career Development and Innovation Awards Career Development Awards and Innovation and Collaboration Program grants supporting emerging researchers and groundbreaking research initiatives in pancreatic cancer.
• Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer Platform An affiliate platform enabling a community of doctors, scientists, and patients to share information to help patients find support, treatment options, and clinical trials. Includes Trial Finder and Doctor Finder tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has more than doubled since 1998 to approximately 10-13% today
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers21 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

Feature11 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Mark Foundation for Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026The Mark Foundation leads a coalition of nonprofit cancer research organizations (AACR, Lustgarten Foundation, Break Through Cancer, and Tina's Wish) dedicated to early detection of deadly cancers. The coalition invests $12 million across six collaborative research projects focused on pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal cancers. The initiative represents an ambitious shift in how cancer research is funded by aligning strategy and pooling expertise.
• American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Member of the Coalition to Accelerate Early Detection of Deadly Cancers led by The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, investing $12 million across six collaborative research projects focused on pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal cancers. AACR brings scientific expertise and network to the coalition aimed at early detection of deadly cancers.
• Break Through CancercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Member of the Coalition to Accelerate Early Detection of Deadly Cancers led by The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, investing $12 million across six collaborative research projects focused on pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal cancers.
• Tina's WishcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Member of the Coalition to Accelerate Early Detection of Deadly Cancers led by The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, investing $12 million across six collaborative research projects focused on pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal cancers.
• Stand Up To Cancer - Pancreatic Cancer CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018A formal strategic partnership established in 2018 building on a robust 5-year collaboration, jointly funding more than 170 investigators who have started or completed 22 clinical trials. The Pancreatic Cancer Collective drives research to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients through co-funded clinical trials, including the first-in-human preventive vaccine trial and mRNA vaccine trials. The partnership was elevated to a formal strategic collaboration to accelerate the pace of discovery.
• Exact SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExact Sciences acquired Thrive Earlier Detection Corp, which was founded to commercialize CancerSEEK—a blood test capable of detecting multiple cancers including pancreatic cancer early—with early Lustgarten Foundation support. Exact Sciences launched CancerGuard, a new multi-cancer early detection blood test, building on CancerSEEK technology. The foundation played a key role in supporting the foundational research that led to this commercial product.
• Let's Win Pancreatic CancercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn affiliate of the Lustgarten Foundation that created a novel website enabling a community of doctors, scientists, and patients to share important information to help patients find support, treatment options, and available clinical trials. Includes Trial Finder and Doctor Finder tools. Founded in 2016 to provide patient-centered navigation and information sharing.
• Revolution MedicinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRevolution Medicines developed Daraxonrasib (RMC-6236), a first-in-class RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor targeting the RAS pathway mutated in over 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cases. Daraxonrasib earned an FDA National Priority Review Voucher for pancreatic cancer. The foundation has supported research underlying RAS-targeted therapies.
• Johns Hopkins MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to two Lustgarten Distinguished Labs (Jaffee Lab and Vogelstein Lab), the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, and the CAPS Study screening program. Johns Hopkins researchers funded by the foundation include Elizabeth Jaffee (Chief Medical Advisor), Bert Vogelstein, Michael Goggins, Laura Wood, and others who have made foundational discoveries in pancreatic cancer genetics, immunotherapy, and early detection.
• Cold Spring Harbor LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, established in 2012, led by David Tuveson (Chief Scientist). CSHL houses the 2,200 sq ft organoid facility playing a significant role in the PASS-01 clinical trial. The lab has generated the first genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic cancer and pioneered organoid technology for the disease.
• MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to the Jacks Lab (Lustgarten Distinguished Lab), led by Tyler Jacks, PhD, a Professor of Biology at MIT and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. The Koch Institute brings together interdisciplinary scientists to advance cancer research with focus areas including immunology and pancreatic cancer genetics.
• Dana-Farber Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to the Wolpin Lab (Lustgarten Distinguished Lab), led by Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH. The institute serves as a critical hub for advancing pancreatic cancer translational research, initiating scientifically-driven clinical trials, and identifying new approaches to early detection. Dr. Wolpin leads the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
• Salk Institute for Biological StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to the Shaw Lab (Lustgarten Distinguished Lab), led by Reuben Shaw, PhD, along with co-principal investigators Ronald Evans, Tony Hunter, and Dannielle Engle. The lab explores unique areas related to diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer including lipid metabolism, transcriptional and epigenetic targets, kinase drug targets, and glycans.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): The largest U.S. pancreatic cancer advocacy and research funding organization. PanCAN directly competes with Lustgarten for pancreatic cancer-specific donor dollars and research grants, and operates the same model of funding research while providing patient services.
• Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C): A peer funder of high-risk cancer research and Lustgarten's formal strategic partner in the Pancreatic Cancer Collective. Both organizations fund translational research through multi-institution collaborative teams and celebrity-driven fundraising, making them directly comparable in model and donor base.
• The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research: A direct peer cancer research foundation that leads the Coalition to Accelerate Early Detection of Deadly Cancers alongside Lustgarten. Comparable in mission scope, funding model, and focus on translational and early-detection research.
• Break Through Cancer: A peer foundation funding collaborative cancer research on pancreatic, ovarian, and other difficult cancers, and a fellow member of the Mark Foundation-led early-detection coalition. Directly comparable as a smaller, focused cancer research grantmaking organization.
• V Foundation for Cancer Research: A peer cancer research foundation with a similar grant-driven funding model supporting high-impact translational research. Competes for the same donor demographic interested in cancer research outcomes.
• Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research: A smaller pancreatic cancer-specific research foundation directly comparable to Lustgarten's disease-specific mission and patient-support model. Competes for the same pancreatic-cancer-focused donor base.
• National Pancreas Foundation: A peer foundation focused on pancreatic diseases including pancreatic cancer, funding research and providing patient support. Comparable in patient navigation resources and disease-specific mission.
• Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation: A peer cancer research foundation funding high-risk, high-reward research through grants to early-career and established investigators. Comparable in funding model and emphasis on breakthrough translational research.
• National Foundation for Cancer Research: A peer cancer research foundation funding translational and early-detection research globally. Comparable mission scope and donor demographic targeting cancer research outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society (ACS): The largest U.S. cancer nonprofit, funding research across all cancer types including pancreatic. ACS competes for the same donor pool as Lustgarten but operates at vastly greater scale and broader scope, making it a broad incumbent in the cancer-research-funder category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Lustgarten Foundation