Imerman Angels

What Imerman Angels does

Imerman Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois that provides free, personalized one-on-one cancer support to cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers. Its core offering is a human-powered peer mentorship matching program that pairs support seekers with volunteer Mentor Angels selected on over 40 criteria including age, gender, cancer type, treatment history, demographic information, and life experience. The organization explicitly differentiates its matching process from algorithmic systems, relying instead on trained Cancer Support Specialists — themselves survivors and caregivers — to facilitate intake, assessment, and pairing.

The operating model is donation-funded and supports additional program lines: a Caregiver Mentor Angel Program for family members, a Peer-to-Peer Partnership Program for cancer centers and nonprofits, an Employer Cancer Support Solution serving corporate benefits programs, and a content library (Cancer Resource Directory, Grief Toolkit, Journey Journals, Video Library). Distribution runs through self-serve web intake, referrals from a 40+ partner network of cancer organizations and healthcare systems (Sentara Brock Cancer Center, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health, American Lung Association, LIVESTRONG, Moffitt, National Brain Tumor Society, among others), and employer partnerships (Pfizer, Publicis Groupe, UnitedHealth Group). Awareness and fundraising are driven by grassroots channels including Team Imerman Angels marathon participation (300+ members worldwide), an annual gala (20th Anniversary Gala scheduled November 2026), and a Chicago-based Brunch Run 5K.

Cumulative outputs since founding include more than 47,000 cancer-fighter-to-Mentor-Angel matches across 123 countries, a database of roughly 17,000 trained Mentor Angels, and an estimated 100,000+ lives impacted across mentors and support seekers. The organization has a small paid staff (11-50 employees, ~14 named individuals across Executive Director, Programs, Partnerships & Engagement, and Development functions) supported by a volunteer base, and operates with no disclosed venture, private equity, or institutional ownership.

Name

Imerman Angels

Legal name

Imerman Angels

Website

https://imermanangels.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Imerman Angels is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free, human-powered one-on-one peer mentorship connecting cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers with trained Mentor Angels matched on cancer type, age, gender, and life experience across 123 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 20-5621272), Imerman Angels operates entirely on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. All services are provided free of charge to cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers. Donations fund staff operations, Cancer Support Specialist training, outreach programs, and technology infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Imerman Angels provides free, personalized one-on-one peer cancer support by matching cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers with trained Mentor Angels — cancer survivors and caregivers who have had similar experiences — using a human-powered (non-algorithmic) matching process that evaluates more than 40 criteria including age, gender, cancer type, treatment history, stage, mutation type, family situation, and communication preferences. Supporting offerings include specialized caregiver mentorship, partnership programs for employers and healthcare systems, and educational resources such as cancer resource guides and a video library.

Product overview

Imerman Angels offers a suite of free cancer support services centered around its core one-on-one peer-to-peer mentorship program. The main offering connects cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers with Mentor Angels who have had similar experiences. Supporting programs include the Caregiver Mentor Angel Program for family members, the Peer-to-Peer Partnership Program for healthcare organizations, and an Employer Cancer Support Solution for workplace wellness. Additional resources include a Document Library with grief tools and cancer guides, a Cancer Resource Directory, Video Library, and community fundraising events such as Team Imerman Angels athletic events, the Brunch Run 5K & Walk, and an Annual Gala. All services are provided free of charge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-on-One Cancer Mentorship Program Free, personalized one-on-one peer cancer support connecting cancer fighters, survivors, and previvors with Mentor Angels who have similar cancer experiences, matched on age, gender, cancer type, and life experience. Delivered at no cost to anyone seeking cancer support.
• Mentor Angel Program Volunteer-driven program through which cancer survivors and caregivers are onboarded, trained, and matched as Mentor Angels to provide ongoing one-on-one psychosocial peer support to cancer fighters, survivors, and previvors.
• Caregiver Mentor Angel Program Specialized one-on-one peer support program for caregivers and loved ones of cancer patients, matching them with Caregiver Mentor Angels who have had similar caregiving experiences to provide emotional support, coping strategies, and practical guidance.
• Peer-to-Peer Partnership Program for Cancer Centers and Health Systems Turnkey partnership program for cancer centers, healthcare systems, and cancer support organizations to integrate personalized peer-to-peer Mentor Angel matching and virtual staff training into their patient care and survivorship programs.
• Employer Cancer Support Solution Turnkey employer-focused program providing personalized peer-to-peer cancer support for employees and their families impacted by cancer, including virtual training for partner staff, program insights, and ongoing operational support.
• Brunch Run 5K & Walk Annual community 5K run/walk event held in Chicago followed by a community brunch, raising funds and awareness for Imerman Angels' cancer support mission.
• Team Imerman Angels Marathon Program Athletic fundraising program with 300+ members participating in marathons and endurance events worldwide to raise funds and awareness for Imerman Angels' cancer support services.
• Annual Fundraising Gala Annual gala event in Chicago celebrating the organization's mission and impact and raising funds from corporate sponsors and individual donors; the 2026 edition is the 20th Anniversary Gala.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47,000+ matches created between cancer fighters and Mentor Angels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Publicis GroupecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublicis Groupe partnered with Imerman Angels through their Working with Cancer pledge to provide peer-to-peer mentorship to employees globally. Imerman Angels offered a turnkey solution enabling connectivity without navigating complex data privacy concerns. Recruitment began immediately with positive feedback from mentors and mentees.
• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured employer partner providing cancer support resources for employees through Imerman Angels peer mentorship program.
• UnitedHealth GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured employer partner providing cancer support resources for employees and their families through Imerman Angels peer mentorship program.
• Sentara Brock Cancer CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeer-to-peer partner connecting cancer patients with Imerman Angels Mentor Angels as part of comprehensive cancer care and supportive services.
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeer-to-peer partner at University of Miami Health System referring patients to Imerman Angels for cancer survivorship and supportive care programs.
• American Lung AssociationsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCancer partner organization referring lung cancer patients and providing resources to Imerman Angels community.
• Moffitt Cancer CentersecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCancer center partner providing one-to-one support referrals through Imerman Angels counseling and support programs.
• LIVESTRONGsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCancer organization partner through LIVESTRONG innovation partners program connecting cancer survivors with support resources.
• National Brain Tumor SocietysecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCancer nonprofit partner providing peer mentor program referrals to brain tumor patients and families.
• 305 Pink PackminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBreast cancer support organization referring clients to Imerman Angels peer support services.
• AliveAndKicknminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLynch syndrome and hereditary cancer advocacy organization with peer-to-peer support partnership.
• Colon TownminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorectal cancer community providing peer support through Imerman Angels partnership.
• Elephants and TeaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdolescent and young adult cancer support organization providing one-on-one support referrals.
• Henry Ford HealthsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealth system partner providing Imerman Angels mentor program referrals for cancer patients.
• Kidney Cancer AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKidney cancer nonprofit providing peer mentoring program referrals to patients.
• Leukemia Research FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeukemia patient support organization providing mentoring program referrals.
• Melanoma Research FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMelanoma patient support organization with connect with others peer support referrals.
• AccessiBesecondaryTechnology or IntegrationWebsite accessibility partner providing AI-powered accessibility widget ensuring all users can access website information regardless of ability level. Includes keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and ADHD-friendly layouts.
• HolisticminorOthersThird-party people analytics firm verifying accuracy of DEI information presented using staff and participant surveys and empirical data collection.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Fight Colorectal Cancer: Advocacy and peer-connection nonprofit for the colorectal cancer community, listed as an Imerman Angels referral partner for disease-specific support seekers.
• Elephants and Tea: AYA (adolescent and young adult) cancer support media and community organization listed as an Imerman Angels referral partner; offers storytelling and peer connection in an adjacent niche.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: The largest US cancer nonprofit with a broad portfolio (research, patient services, advocacy, Hope Lodge); overlaps with Imerman Angels on patient navigation and survivorship but at vastly greater scale.
• LIVESTRONG: Long-standing cancer survivor support nonprofit (and Imerman Angels partner) offering navigation, fertility resources and survivor programs — a complementary rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• CancerCare: National nonprofit offering free counseling, support groups, education and financial assistance to anyone affected by cancer — overlapping service mix for cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.
• 4th Angel Mentoring Program: Cleveland Clinic's flagship peer-mentorship program that matches cancer patients and caregivers with trained mentors; embedded in a health system, it competes for healthcare-system referral relationships.
• Cancer Support Community: Provides free psychosocial support, counseling and peer connection for people impacted by cancer across a national network of affiliates, directly competing for the same patient and caregiver audience.
• Cancer Hope Network: National nonprofit that matches cancer patients and caregivers with trained survivor volunteers for one-on-one support — the closest direct functional analog to Imerman Angels' mentorship model.

Regional players

• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK-based cancer support nonprofit offering peer connection, information and financial guidance — comparable service model but operates primarily in the UK rather than competing directly with Imerman Angels in the US.

Emerging players

• Young Survival Coalition: Focused peer-support community for young adults diagnosed with breast cancer; narrower population but competes for the same survivor-mentorship demand among previvors and fighters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/imermanangels
• Facebookfacebook.com/ImermanAngels
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imerman-angels
• Instagraminstagram.com/imermanangels

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Imerman Angels