The Ruth Cheatham Foundation

What The Ruth Cheatham Foundation does

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation (TRCF) is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN #82-2633861) founded in 2016/2017 to honor Ruth Cheatham, an English teacher who fought cancer for over ten years. The foundation provides college scholarships and educational support specifically to adolescents and young adults (ages 17-26) impacted by cancer, addressing an underserved demographic that falls between pediatric and adult cancer support programs. Its programs include the TRCF Scholarship ($2,000-$5,000 awards based on financial need and disease impact), educational support boxes shipped nationwide, free tutoring, peer-to-peer virtual roundtables, and Comfort & Care Kits for scholars experiencing relapse or health setbacks (delivered in partnership with The I'm Not Done Yet Foundation). Outcomes cited include a 98% graduation rate among scholars, 0% tutoring drop rate, 175 educational support boxes sent in 2025, and 300+ tutoring hours delivered.

TRCF does not develop proprietary technology; its operations are supported by website-based scholarship applications, partner referrals from cancer support organizations (Canteen, YAS), and event-driven engagement. The business model is donation-driven: the foundation raises revenue through individual donations, corporate sponsorships (including Aspen Grove and MRL LP), foundation grants (DataPhilanthropy and The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation in 2025), and signature events including an annual gala, Birdies for Brighter Futures Golf Tournament, and Casino Night. The foundation states that $0.82 of every dollar goes directly to mission programs. In 2025 it awarded 345 scholarships totaling $1,056,000, up from 260 in 2024 (33% year-over-year growth), bringing cumulative scholarships awarded to 653 since founding. Operating geographies are restricted to U.S. residents enrolled in U.S. or Puerto Rico schools. The organization holds Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Seal of Transparency, BBB Accredited Charity status, and Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating.

Name

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation

Legal name

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation

Website

https://ruthcheathamfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing college scholarships ($2,000-$5,000) and educational support services to teen and young adult cancer survivors ages 17-26 across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Educational Scholarship Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Cancer survivor scholarships
• Educational support services
• Nonprofit foundation programs
• Teen cancer advocacy
• College scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation receives donations from individual supporters through its website, direct mail, and fundraising campaigns. Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors provide financial support through event sponsorships, employee engagement programs, and mission-aligned giving. Sponsors include companies like Aspen Grove and partnerships with foundations.
3. Foundation Grants: TRCF receives grants from other foundations including DataPhilanthropy and the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation. These grants fund scholarship program expansion and operational growth.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation provides college scholarships of $2,000 to $5,000 to teen and young adult cancer survivors ages 17-26 who are enrolled full-time in accredited U.S. undergraduate institutions. The foundation complements scholarships with educational support boxes, free tutoring, peer-to-peer support programs, and comfort/care kits for scholars experiencing cancer relapses or health setbacks.

Product overview

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation operates a single integrated scholarship program for teen and young adult cancer survivors, supplemented by four core support offerings: the TRCF Scholarship Program (providing $2,000-$5,000 scholarships based on financial need), Educational Support Boxes (school supplies shipped nationwide), Tutoring (free academic support with 0% drop rate), Peer-to-Peer Support (virtual roundtables and community building), and Comfort & Care Kits (personalized care boxes for scholars experiencing relapse or health complications, provided in partnership with The I'm Not Done Yet Foundation). The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Dallas, TX, founded in 2017 to honor Ruth Cheatham, an English teacher who fought cancer for over ten years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TRCF Scholarship Program College scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 awarded to teen and young adult cancer survivors ages 17-26 based on financial need and the impact of cancer, supporting full-time students enrolled in accredited U.S. undergraduate colleges, universities, or trade schools.
• Educational Support Boxes Packed boxes containing school supplies and resources sent to scholars nationwide to help them thrive from day one of college; 175 boxes were sent nationwide in 2025.
• Tutoring Program Free tutoring support for scholars who struggle with coursework after missing school due to cancer treatment; TRCF covers the cost of tutoring with over 300 hours provided and a 0% drop rate among participants.
• Peer-to-Peer Support Program Regular meetups and virtual roundtables connecting scholars with others who understand life after cancer, providing emotional support and community building.
• Comfort & Care Kits Personalized care boxes provided in partnership with The I'm Not Done Yet Foundation to scholars who have experienced a cancer relapse or have taken time away from education due to cancer-related health complications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% graduation rate among TRCF scholars
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Jordan Spieth Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2025Partnership to expand critical support for teen and young adult cancer survivors, strengthening continuity of care by increasing access to scholarships, mental health resources, and survivor-focused programs.
• The I'm Not Done Yet FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Comfort & Care Kits program that provides personalized care boxes to scholars who have experienced a relapse of their cancer or required time away from education due to cancer-related health complications.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stupid Cancer: Stupid Cancer is the leading U.S. nonprofit specifically serving adolescents and young adults (AYA) affected by cancer, providing advocacy, support programs, and resources - directly overlapping TRCF's core AYA cancer survivor demographic and mission.
• National Collegiate Cancer Foundation: National Collegiate Cancer Foundation provides scholarships and support to college students whose lives have been impacted by cancer, sharing TRCF's exact niche of combining educational financial aid with survivor-focused programming for young cancer patients.
• The SAMFund for Young Adult Cancer Survivors: The SAMFund provides financial assistance and free online support and education for young adult cancer survivors (ages 17-39), directly comparable to TRCF's scholarship-plus-support model for the same demographic.
• Teen Cancer America: Teen Cancer America is dedicated to improving the experience, outcomes, and survival of teens and young adults with cancer through hospital partnerships and programs - directly aligned with TRCF's AYA cancer survivor focus.
• Ulman Foundation: Ulman Foundation supports young adults (ages 15-39) impacted by cancer through scholarships, advocacy, and community programs; directly comparable to TRCF in serving AYA cancer survivors with educational and community support.
• Cancer Survivors' Fund: Cancer Survivors' Fund provides college scholarships and prosthetic limb assistance to young cancer survivors and amputees, directly comparable to TRCF's scholarship-focused mission for the same beneficiary group.

Emerging players

• Critical Mass: The Young Adult Cancer Alliance: Critical Mass is a coalition advocating for the AYA cancer community through policy, research, and program support; serves the same AYA demographic as TRCF but primarily through advocacy and coalition-building rather than direct scholarship provision.

Broad incumbents

• Livestrong Foundation: Livestrong is a large, established cancer survivor support organization offering navigation, fertility resources, and educational support across all ages - overlapping with TRCF's mission but operating at much broader scale and not specialized in AYA-only.
• American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society is the largest U.S. cancer nonprofit providing research, patient support, and educational resources across all cancer types and demographics; much broader scope than TRCF but overlaps in supporting young cancer patients with scholarships and survivorship programs.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: National Pediatric Cancer Foundation funds pediatric cancer research and provides family support; adjacent to TRCF's mission but skewed younger (pediatric) and primarily research-focused rather than educational scholarship-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-ruth-cheatham-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ruth Cheatham Foundation