What Melanoma Research Foundation does

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that funds melanoma research, delivers patient and provider education, and advocates for policy change. The organization positions itself as the largest independent entity devoted to melanoma in the United States, serving patients across all subtypes (cutaneous, ocular, mucosal, pediatric, acral) along with caregivers, survivors, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates. MRF's stated mission is to transform melanoma from one of the deadliest cancers into one of the most treatable through research, education, and advocacy, with operating scale indicators that include 132 funded research grants with new collaborations, 276 published articles from funded research, 591 webinars and presentations delivered, and 27 clinical trials referenced through its resources.

MRF's core offerings are programmatic rather than commercial. Its digital ecosystem includes the main website and patient portal, an online Patient Forum (forum.melanoma.org), a Treatment Center Finder, a Clinical Trial Finder (powered by EmergingMed), an Ask a Nurse Q&A service, and a branded merchandise storefront (via Bonfire). Programmatic offerings include the Miles for Melanoma 5K fundraising series across multiple US cities (New England, Denver, Washington DC, Tampa Bay), patient and caregiver symposia co-hosted with elite cancer centers (MD Anderson, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, UNC Lineberger, Ohio State), the CURE OM initiative for ocular melanoma, the SunAWARE youth prevention curriculum, scientific meetings (including the MRF Breakthrough Consortium Annual Meeting and CURE OM Global Science Meeting), annual Advocacy Days in Washington DC, and the #GetNaked annual awareness campaign. All operations are run with a small staff of 11 to 50 employees.

MRF's revenue model is donation-driven: individual contributions at tiered amounts of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, and $1,000 with monthly recurring options, memorial and planned gifts integrated via FreeWill, event participation fees and peer-to-peer fundraising managed through Blackbaud TeamRaiser, branded merchandise sales, and corporate sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Natera, Castle Biosciences, Replimune) and consumer skincare brands (EltaMD, Neutrogena). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed in the source data, and operations are domestic with no stated global footprint.

Name

Melanoma Research Foundation

Legal name

Melanoma Research Foundation

Website

https://melanoma.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Melanoma Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1996 that funds melanoma research, delivers patient education and support, and advocates for policy change. It serves U.S. melanoma patients, caregivers, survivors, researchers, and clinicians through fundraising events, symposia, and digital tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit cancer research and patient support services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

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

• Melanoma research funding
• Patient education resources
• Cancer advocacy programs
• Clinical trial navigation
• Non-profit health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The MRF receives donations from individual supporters through its website, event participation and direct mail campaigns. Donors can make one-time or recurring monthly donations at various tiers ($25-$1000+), with options to direct gifts to specific programs or melanoma subtypes.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Natera, Castle Biosciences, Replimune), dermatology practices and skincare brands (EltaMD, Neutrogena, Advanced Dermatology) sponsor MRF events, campaigns and programs.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated through event participation fees and fundraising from Miles for Melanoma 5K runs, galas, community fundraisers and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
4. Merchandise Sales: MRF operates an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including shirts, caps and hoodies through Bonfire platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Melanoma Research Foundation funds melanoma research through grants and scientific meetings, delivers patient and caregiver education programs, and runs public advocacy campaigns. It operates an integrated set of patient-facing services including a Patient Forum, Treatment Center Finder, Clinical Trial Finder, Ask a Nurse helpline, Patient & Caregiver Symposia, the Miles for Melanoma 5K event series, the CURE OM ocular melanoma initiative, the SunAWARE youth prevention program, and an Advocacy Days program. It is funded primarily through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, event fundraising, and cause-marketing partnerships.

Product overview

The Melanoma Research Foundation operates a comprehensive patient education and support ecosystem centered around its main website and digital portal. The core offerings include the MRF Website and Patient Portal providing general resources, a Patient Forum for peer support, a Treatment Center Finder and Clinical Trial Finder for treatment navigation, and an Ask a Nurse service for expert guidance. The foundation runs multiple event and advocacy programs including the Miles for Melanoma 5K fundraising events, Patient & Caregiver Symposia, Scientific Meetings, and Advocacy Days. Specialized initiatives include the CURE OM program for ocular melanoma and the SunAWARE youth education program. The #GetNaked campaign serves as the annual awareness initiative. These programs are complemented by financial assistance resources and an online merchandise store. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to transforming melanoma from one of the deadliest cancers to one of the most treatable through research, education and advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CURE OM: A dedicated initiative focused on ocular (uveal) melanoma research, education and advocacy
• Miles for Melanoma
• #GetNaked Campaign
• SunAWARE

Products and services

• MRF Patient Forum An online community forum (forum.melanoma.org) where melanoma patients and caregivers connect, share experiences, and provide peer support. It is a standalone support offering available to the public free of charge.
• Treatment Center Finder A search tool that helps patients locate melanoma treatment centers by zip code and distance, with filters for general melanoma, pediatric, ocular, and mucosal melanoma services. Available as a standalone navigation resource on the MRF website.
• Clinical Trial Finder A searchable database of melanoma clinical trials, powered by EmergingMed, allowing patients to explore treatment options and participate in research. Operated as a standalone navigation resource for patients and caregivers.
• Ask a Nurse A nurse-led Q&A service that provides patients and caregivers with expert guidance on melanoma care, treatment options, and related questions. Available as a standalone support service via the MRF website.
• Miles for Melanoma 5K Program A national 5K run/walk fundraising program held in multiple US cities to raise awareness and funds for melanoma research, education, and advocacy. Operated as a standalone community fundraising program with peer-to-peer team pages.
• Patient & Caregiver Symposia In-person and virtual educational symposia hosted at leading cancer centers (MD Anderson, Fred Hutch, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, UNC Lineberger, Ohio State) featuring expert speakers on melanoma diagnosis, treatment and supportive care for patients and caregivers.
• Scientific Meetings Professional scientific conferences convened for researchers and clinicians, including the MRF Breakthrough Consortium Annual Meeting and the CURE OM Global Science Meeting, providing a forum for melanoma research collaboration and dissemination.
• Advocacy Days An annual Washington, DC advocacy event that brings patients and advocates together to meet with lawmakers on melanoma-related legislative priorities such as research funding and sunscreen regulation.
• CURE OM Initiative A dedicated MRF program focused on ocular (uveal) melanoma research, education, patient support and the annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium.
• #GetNaked Awareness Campaign The annual Melanoma Awareness Month campaign promoting sun-safe behaviors and early melanoma detection through billboards, social media and partner activations.
• SunAWARE Youth Prevention Program A youth-focused sun safety education program teaching children and adolescents about UV protection and skin cancer prevention, including SunAWARE curriculum materials.
• Financial Assistance Program A resource program helping melanoma patients access financial support for treatment-related costs, operated as a standalone patient support service.
• MRF Merch Store An online branded merchandise storefront (powered by Bonfire) selling apparel and accessories — including MRF Comfort Colors Shirts ($32.50), MRF Classic Baseball Cap ($25.00) and MRF Zip Up Hoodie ($55.00) — to support the MRF mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8,290 lives lost to melanoma annually in the US
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• NeutrogenacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026MRF and Neutrogena announced a joint one-day consensus meeting on July 1, 2026 in Washington, DC to discuss skin cancer prevention tools and drive regulatory action during UV Safety and Awareness Month. The meeting gathers public health experts, clinicians, researchers and advocates to examine prevention challenges and publish a white paper to inform future policy.
• Castle BiosciencescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 May 2026Castle Biosciences announced participation in nationwide patient advocacy and screening initiatives during Skin Cancer Awareness Month, collaborating with MRF and other organizations including AIM at Melanoma, The Skin Cancer Foundation, IMPACT Melanoma, Nevada Cancer Coalition and The Sun Bus.
• EltaMDcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026EltaMD launched a limited-edition UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 sunscreen with custom packaging. For every unit sold between May 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027, EltaMD donates one sunscreen product to MRF, up to maximum retail value of $1 million. This builds on partnership that began in 2021.
• PfizersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPfizer sponsors MRF events including the New England Miles for Melanoma 5K, supporting melanoma research, education and advocacy efforts.
• Bristol Myers SquibbsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBristol Myers Squibb sponsors MRF events including the New England Miles for Melanoma 5K, supporting melanoma research, education and advocacy efforts.
• NaterasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNatera sponsors MRF events including the New England Miles for Melanoma 5K, supporting melanoma research, education and advocacy efforts.
• Castle BiosciencessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCastle Biosciences sponsors MRF events including the New England Miles for Melanoma 5K, supporting melanoma research, education and advocacy efforts.
• Cara Mia DermatologysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCara Mia Dermatology provides complimentary skin spot checks at MRF fundraising events like the Denver Miles for Melanoma 5K.
• DermesteticssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sponsor Dermestetics offers complimentary skin spot checks at the inaugural Washington DC Miles for Melanoma 5K.
• ReplimunesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerReplimune returns as Local Presenting Sponsor for the New England Miles for Melanoma 5K event.
• Personal Care Products Council (PCPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF participates in the #WearSunscreen campaign launched by PCPC on World Health Day to promote sun safety awareness and encourage daily sunscreen use, involving industry leaders, healthcare professionals and advocacy groups.
• Fred Hutch Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF co-hosts the Northwest Melanoma Symposium: Science to Survivorship with Fred Hutch Cancer Center, a free patient education event featuring medical experts discussing melanoma and immune system, treatment advancements and supportive care.
• Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF partners with Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute for the annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium, bringing together OM patients and caregivers for education on research and treatment.
• MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF partners with MD Anderson for patient and caregiver symposia about cutaneous melanoma featuring experts discussing diagnosis, treatment and supportive care.
• The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF partners with Ohio State University for patient symposia about cutaneous melanoma from 8:30am to 1:00pm.
• Mayo Clinic JacksonvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF partners with Mayo Clinic Jacksonville for in-person and virtual patient symposia about cutaneous melanoma at the Friday Conference Center.
• UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRF partners with UNC Lineberger for patient symposia about cutaneous melanoma at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, NC.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stand Up To Cancer: Stand Up To Cancer is a broad incumbent funding collaborative translational cancer research with high-profile media-driven fundraising. It competes with MRF for major gift donors and corporate sponsors while operating research grantmaking teams that overlap MRF's funded-research mission.
• Prevent Cancer Foundation: Prevent Cancer Foundation is a broad incumbent focused on cancer prevention and early detection across multiple cancer types. It overlaps with MRF's prevention messaging and #GetNaked-style awareness campaigns but at a broader, less disease-specific scale.
• V Foundation for Cancer Research: The V Foundation is a broad incumbent cancer research grantmaking organization funding translational research across cancer types. It competes with MRF for major gift donors, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships but operates at a much larger scale and broader disease focus.
• American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society is a broad incumbent operating across all cancer types with massive fundraising scale, research grant programs, and patient support services. It overlaps with MRF on melanoma research funding and patient navigation but does not specialize in melanoma, making it a much larger but less focused competitor for donor mindshare.

Others

• National Comprehensive Cancer Network: NCCN is an alliance of leading cancer centers that issues clinical practice guidelines, including for melanoma. It is thematically adjacent to MRF's provider education and clinical trial navigation efforts and is a logical collaboration or distribution partner, though it serves clinicians rather than patients directly.

Emerging players

• Lungevity Foundation: LUNGevity is a peer cancer-specific nonprofit with a comparable operating model of research grants, patient education, and corporate partnerships. It illustrates the operating template of disease-specific foundations and offers a useful comparison on scale, peer-to-peer fundraising, and pharma partnership depth in a different cancer vertical.

Direct peers

• The Skin Cancer Foundation: The Skin Cancer Foundation is a direct peer operating in skin cancer prevention, education, and research funding. Like MRF, it runs awareness campaigns, partners with sunscreen and skincare brands, and was co-listed with MRF in Castle Biosciences' nationwide patient advocacy and screening initiatives.
• AIM at Melanoma Foundation: AIM at Melanoma is a direct peer disease-focused nonprofit operating in the melanoma space with patient support, research funding, and advocacy programs. It was explicitly co-listed with MRF in Castle Biosciences' Skin Cancer Awareness Month patient advocacy and screening initiatives, competing for the same donors, corporate sponsors, and patient communities.
• IMPACT Melanoma: IMPACT Melanoma is a direct peer nonprofit focused on melanoma awareness, prevention, and patient support, also operating The Sun Bus mobile screening program. Like MRF, it was co-listed in Castle Biosciences' Skin Cancer Awareness Month initiatives, competing for the same donor and volunteer base.
• Melanoma Research Alliance: The Melanoma Research Alliance is a direct peer focused specifically on funding melanoma research grants and accelerating scientific progress. It overlaps significantly with MRF's research grantmaking function, drawing on a similar pool of academic researchers, donor-advised funds, and corporate partners for support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/curemelanoma
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CureMelanoma
• Facebookfacebook.com/Melanoma.Research.Foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/CureMelanoma

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Melanoma Research Foundation