The Skin Cancer Foundation

What The Skin Cancer Foundation does

The Skin Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1979 and headquartered in New York that educates the public and medical community on skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Its core deliverables include the Seal of Recommendation certification program (operating since 1981 with over 800 certified sun protection products reviewed by a volunteer Photobiology Committee of dermatologists), the Destination Healthy Skin mobile screening RV that delivers free screenings across approximately 40 U.S. cities annually (over 34,000 cumulative screenings and more than 13,700 potential skin cancers identified), The Big See early detection campaign, a multilingual physician finder directory in 14 languages, and a web store distributing educational materials.

The Foundation operates a hybrid revenue model combining donations and corporate partnerships. Its primary recurring revenue stream is the Corporate Council membership program, in which approximately 100 sun-protection product manufacturers pay $15,000 annually to submit products for Seal of Recommendation review. Additional revenue sources include cause-marketing campaigns (e.g., Allergan Aesthetics' capped $100,000 Skin Cancer Awareness Month pledge, Massage Envy's $20,000 annual donation), retail-channel activations (the inaugural National Sun Responsibly Day reached over 11,000 doors through CVS Health, Walgreens, Meijer, Hy-Vee, and Kinney Drugs), and a web store selling educational materials. Strategic partners in 2025-2026 include AccuWeather (UV index integration), L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty (Sun Responsibly Day), Avery Dennison (UV-protective vehicle wrap), Almirall and Biofrontera (actinic keratosis awareness campaigns), Castle Biosciences, and PAPATUI.

The Foundation's distribution model is community-led and event-driven, leveraging digital content, awareness campaigns tied to Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May), the mobile screening program, and a physician member network. The technology platform is primarily a content and database architecture rather than an AI-native system, with key integrations centered on the AccuWeather UV Index widget, the recommended-products database, and the physician finder directory. Charity Navigator four-star and Candid GuideStar recognition support its donor credibility.

Name

The Skin Cancer Foundation

Legal name

The Skin Cancer Foundation

Website

https://skincancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Skin Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 that educates the public and medical community on skin cancer prevention, certifies sun protection products through its Seal of Recommendation program, and operates a mobile screening RV serving approximately 40 U.S. cities annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Education and Advocacy

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Sun Protection for Sensitive/Medical Needs (Reef-Safe, Hypoallergenic, Post-Procedure) (CRABAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Sunscreen (Face) (CRABAHAA), Sunscreen (Body) (CRABAHAB), Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL)

Keywords

• Skin cancer education
• Public health nonprofit
• Sun protection awareness
• Early detection campaigns
• Dermatology advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Relies on donor funds from individuals, foundations, and organizations. Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 13-2948778).
2. Corporate Council Membership: Sun protection product manufacturers pay annual Corporate Council membership fee of $15,000 to participate in Seal of Recommendation program and support Foundation's education programs. Represents more than 100 brands.
3. Seal of Recommendation Program: Product certification review for sun protection products. Manufacturers submit product data and testing results reviewed by volunteer Photobiology Committee.
4. Web Store: Sells educational materials, brochures, and merchandise through store.skincancer.org.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Skin Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates the public and medical professionals about skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Its core offerings include the Seal of Recommendation product certification program, a mobile screening RV program (Destination Healthy Skin), early detection awareness campaigns (The Big See), and a Physician Finder directory connecting patients with dermatologists.

Product overview

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers a portfolio of public health education products and services centered on skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment support. The core offerings include the Seal of Recommendation certification program that evaluates and endorses sun protection products; the Destination Healthy Skin mobile screening RV that provides free skin cancer screenings across the U.S.; The Big See early detection campaign encouraging monthly self-exams; the Sun Protection Product Finder for identifying certified products; the Physician Finder directory connecting patients with dermatologists; and the Skin Cancer Awareness Toolkit providing downloadable educational materials. These services work together to fulfill the Foundation's mission of educating the public and medical community about skin cancer prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Big See: A campaign aimed at inspiring people to get to know their skin, check themselves head-to-toe once a month, and watch for three words: NEW, CHANGING, UNUSUAL. It could save your life.
• Destination Healthy Skin
• Seal of Recommendation

Products and services

• Seal of Recommendation A product certification program that reviews and awards its Seal to sun protection products meeting stringent UV protection criteria. Reviewed by a volunteer Photobiology Committee of dermatology experts. Used by sun protection product manufacturers seeking consumer trust and product differentiation.
• Destination Healthy Skin A 38-foot mobile RV program that provides free skin cancer screenings and educational resources traveling to approximately 40 U.S. cities annually. Targets the general public with no-cost access to professional skin examinations.
• The Big See An early detection awareness campaign encouraging monthly self-exams. Teaches individuals to identify three warning signs of skin cancer: NEW, CHANGING, or UNUSUAL skin spots. Targeted at the general public.
• Sun Protection Product Finder An interactive online database that allows consumers to search and filter through over 800 sun protection products (sunscreens, UPF clothing, hats, sunglasses) that have earned the Seal of Recommendation.
• Physician Finder An online directory of Physician Members committed to skin cancer education and prevention. Helps patients locate member dermatologists near them, with some offering telemedicine options.
• Skin Cancer Awareness Toolkit

Quantifiable outcome

• Regular daily use of SPF 15+ sunscreen reduces melanoma risk by 50 percent
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Avery DennisoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAvery Dennison partnered with the Skin Cancer Foundation to support their 'Destination Healthy Skin' mobile screening RV, which travels to over 40 cities providing free skin cancer screenings. The 38-foot RV is wrapped in Avery Dennison films and UV-protective window tints, showcasing the company's materials technology for a charitable cause. This partnership represents a corporate social responsibility initiative that provides brand visibility while supporting public health education.
• Massage EnvycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMassage Envy announced the third consecutive year of support for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Destination Healthy Skin program with a $20,000 donation ahead of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May 2026. The program operates a 38-foot mobile RV that provides free skin cancer screenings and educational resources. Massage Envy's franchise network supports the initiative through promotional displays and discounted sunscreen products.
• Allergan Aesthetics (AbbVie)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAllergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, announced a charitable initiative in recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, pledging to donate $10 to The Skin Cancer Foundation for every new member who joins its Allē loyalty program through a referral in May, up to a maximum contribution of $100,000. New referral members receive $50 off their first Allergan Aesthetics treatment while referring members get $10 off their next treatment.
• Castle BiosciencesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCastle Biosciences announced participation in Skin Cancer Awareness Month initiatives throughout May, including advocacy walks, community skin cancer screenings and patient education programs across the United States. Collaborating with multiple patient-focused organizations including The Skin Cancer Foundation, AIM at Melanoma, Melanoma Research Foundation, IMPACT Melanoma, Nevada Cancer Coalition and The Sun Bus.
• AccuWeathercoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Skin Cancer Foundation and AccuWeather announced a partnership on February 25, 2026, aimed at improving public understanding of ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer prevention by combining AccuWeather's weather forecasting data with the Foundation's evidence-based UV safety guidance. AccuWeather's Daily Max UV Index is featured on The Skin Cancer Foundation's website, leveraging AccuWeather's media platform that reaches billions of users globally.
• L'Oréal Dermatological BeautycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty and leading retailers announced the inaugural National Sun Responsibly Day on May 18, part of an industry-wide campaign to promote daily sun protection as a year-round habit. The campaign, which launched in 2025, has engaged retailers including CVS Health, Walgreens, Meijer, Hy-Vee, and Kinney Drugs, reaching over 11,000 retail doors and drawing on data from The Skin Cancer Foundation.
• PAPATUI (Dwayne Johnson)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPAPATUI, the men's skincare brand founded by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, launched its Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 at Target on April 7, 2026, priced at $9.99, after three years of development with dermatologists. The product launch includes a partnership with The Skin Cancer Foundation, which awarded the moisturizer its Seal of Recommendation, addressing low sunscreen usage rates among men with which only 12% use sunscreen regularly.
• AlmirallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlmirall launched the second annual 'Hats On For AK' campaign on May 24, 2026, in recognition of Global AK Awareness Day, alongside a new 'Skin Scouts: Observe, Detect, Act!' initiative focused on actinic keratosis awareness, sun protection, and early detection. The campaign was co-founded in 2025 in collaboration with patients, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organizations including The Skin Cancer Foundation.
• BiofronteraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBiofrontera launched the second annual Hats On campaign to raise awareness of Actinic Keratosis, running May 18-24, 2026 and culminating on Global AK Awareness Day. The social media initiative invites participants to wear hats and share photos using campaign hashtags to educate Americans about sun protection and AK prevention.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Largest US dermatology professional society running skin cancer awareness campaigns (SPOTme), public education, and dermatologist directories. Directly comparable mission around skin cancer prevention and physician engagement, though it is a professional membership body rather than a public nonprofit.
• Melanoma Research Foundation: National nonprofit focused on melanoma research, education, and patient support. Closely comparable mission, donor base, and Skin Cancer Awareness Month activations, with overlapping corporate partners and physician networks.
• AIM at Melanoma: Melanoma-specific advocacy nonprofit collaborating with the Foundation on Skin Cancer Awareness Month events. Directly comparable in disease focus, patient support programs, and walk/advocacy fundraising model.
• IMPACT Melanoma: Skin cancer and melanoma education nonprofit operating prevention programs, advocacy walks, and community screening events. Direct peer in mission and execution model, often co-listed with the Foundation on corporate partner campaigns.

Broad incumbents

• Prevent Cancer Foundation: Broader cancer prevention nonprofit with skin cancer as one of multiple focus areas. Comparable in donor-funded education model and corporate partnerships, though its scope dilutes the skin-cancer-specific specialization the Foundation has.
• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer nonprofit with skin cancer among many programs. Competitor for donor dollars, cause-marketing partnerships, and Skin Cancer Awareness Month activations, but operates at vastly larger scale across all cancer types.

Emerging players

• Nevada Cancer Coalition: Statewide cancer coalition that collaborates with the Foundation on community skin cancer screenings. Smaller, regionally focused but with comparable education and screening mission.
• Sun Bus (The Sun Bus Foundation): Mobile skin cancer screening and education program running its own RV tour. Closely comparable to Destination Healthy Skin in execution model, though smaller in geographic reach and program maturity.

Regional players

• Cancer Council Australia: Australia's leading cancer nonprofit running the Slip-Slop-Slap sun-safety campaigns. Comparable in sun-safety education and product endorsement mission, but operates in a different geography with stronger government backing.
• British Skin Foundation: UK-based charity funding skin research and patient education including skin cancer. Comparable mission structure as a national skin-focused nonprofit, but operates primarily in the UK market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-skin-cancer-foundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SkinCancerFoundation
• Xx.com/SkinCancerOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/skincancerfoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Skin Cancer Foundation