KWF Kankerbestrijding

What KWF Kankerbestrijding does

KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society) is a non-profit charitable foundation (Stichting) founded in 1949 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is the leading Dutch cancer charity, operating with 51-100 employees and funding over 500 cancer research projects across five mission areas: Prevention, Early Detection, Minimally Invasive Techniques, Cancer Drugs, and Psychosocial & Palliative Care. The organization also operates the merged Pink Ribbon sub-brand for breast cancer and runs information portals including kwf.nl and kanker.nl.

The organization runs specialized research funding programs including BOOST (translational oncology), PIPELINE (clinical drug development from academic research), ATTRACT (drug repurposing), Proof of Concept, and the DRUP clinical study on off-label targeted drug use. Research grant applications are processed through an internal Grant Management System (GMS) and reviewed by Science Liaisons with expertise across basic research, biomarkers, imaging, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and oncological care. A public-facing Research Database (Onderzoeksdatabase) catalogs all funded projects from 2017 onward.

KWF's business model is multi-stream charitable funding: individual donations (one-time, monthly, annual, and legacy giving across tiers from €6 to €100), corporate partnership campaigns (Albert Heijn, Primark, HEMA, HAK, MS Mode, Curves, BK Cookware, Therme, Chiquita), and lottery partnerships (Postcode Loterij at €200K annually for Pink Ribbon; VriendenLoterij since 2009). It also generates revenue through Pink Ribbon merchandise and its own KWF Loterij. The organization holds ANBI (public benefit) status, RSIN 0029.64.491, and commits over 80 cents of each donated euro to mission goals. Notable 2025 deployments include €12.4M to psychosocial care via IPSO and €3.2M to a national prostate cancer screening pilot.

Name

KWF Kankerbestrijding

Legal name

Stichting KWF Kankerbestrijding

Website

https://kwf.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KWF Kankerbestrijding is the Dutch Cancer Society, a non-profit foundation founded in 1949 that funds over 500 cancer research projects and runs prevention, screening, and patient support programs in the Netherlands, primarily financed through individual donations, lottery partnerships, and corporate campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research Funding and Health Charity Services

NAICS

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

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

• Cancer research funding
• Cancer charity donations
• Health nonprofit services
• Cancer prevention programs
• Psychosocial cancer care

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: KWF receives one-time and recurring donations from individuals who support cancer research, prevention, and patient care. The organization promotes monthly, annual, and one-time donation options through its website.
2. Pink Ribbon Merchandise: Pink Ribbon, integrated with KWF, sells merchandise including the Pink Ribbon Armband. Proceeds fund breast cancer research and awareness programs.
3. Postcode Loterij Partnership: Pink Ribbon receives annual support of €200,000 from Postcode Loterij participants. The lottery directs minimum 40% of ticket prices to approximately 150 charitable causes.
4. VriendenLoterij Partnership: Pink Ribbon receives ongoing support through VriendenLoterij, where participants choose to support the organization. Each lottery ticket costs €15 with 15 annual drawings.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Companies like Albert Heijn, Primark, HAK, MS Mode, Curves, BK Cookware, HEMA, Therme, and Chiquita partner with Pink Ribbon through campaigns, product sales with donations, and fundraising events. Examples include Albert Heijn's flower/plant campaign raising €504,250 in 2025.

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society) is a non-profit charitable foundation that funds cancer research, prevention, and patient support programs in the Netherlands. It operates research funding programs such as BOOST, Proof of Concept, PIPELINE, and ATTRACT, manages the Pink Ribbon breast cancer sub-brand, and channels donations, lottery proceeds, and corporate partnership contributions into cancer science and care. The organization also provides public cancer information, screening awareness campaigns, and psychosocial support programs.

Product overview

KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society) operates as a nonprofit cancer charity rather than a technology product company. Its portfolio consists of charitable programs and services including: the main KWF brand focused on cancer research funding, prevention, and patient support; Pink Ribbon as a dedicated breast cancer sub-brand with merchandise and events; research funding programs (BOOST, Proof of Concept, PIPELINE, ATTRACT); the KWF Lottery for fundraising; and the Research Database for public access to funded projects. The organization also maintains Grant Management Systems (GMS) for processing funding applications. No commercial software products, APIs, or technical integrations are offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pink Ribbon: Breast cancer brand under KWF focusing on awareness, research, and support for women with breast cancer. Pink Ribbon operates as a distinct branded section of kwf.nl and has its own website pinkribbon.nl, selling merchandise like the Pink Ribbon Armband to fund breast cancer research.

Products and services

• KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society) The primary organization focused on cancer research funding, prevention, care improvement, and patient support in the Netherlands. Provides information about cancer, funds scientific research, promotes prevention, and supports people affected by cancer.
• Pink Ribbon A dedicated sub-brand of KWF focused specifically on breast cancer awareness, research funding, prevention, and support for patients. Includes Pink Ribbon Armband merchandise, walking events, and corporate fundraising partnerships.
• KWF BOOST Programme A targeted funding programme (Bridging Obstacles for Optimal model use via Shared Technical Expertise) that provides additional funding to strengthen translational relevance of oncology drug development within existing KWF projects, supporting advanced preclinical models and experimental design.
• Proof of Concept Programme A funding programme designed to accelerate the development of promising innovations emerging from ongoing KWF projects, helping them move closer to practical, real-world application.
• PIPELINE Call A theme call focused on advancing clinical development of new cancer drugs derived from academic research with potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes.
• ATTRACT Call A funding initiative focused on drug repurposing, using existing medicines optimally across the entire lifecycle to provide treatment options for cancer patients.
• DRUP Study Drug Rediscovery Protocol - a clinical study investigating the off-label use of targeted drugs based on tumor characteristics.
• KWF Loterij (Lottery) A charity lottery operated by KWF that allows participants to support cancer research while having chances to win prizes.
• KWF Onderzoeksdatabase (Research Database) An online database containing all research projects funded by KWF starting from 2017, allowing users to search and explore ongoing cancer research.
• Kanker.nl Information Portal A comprehensive cancer information portal referred to by KWF for detailed information about cancer, treatment options, and living with cancer.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-year cancer survival rate increased from 25% (1949) to 71% (today)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Pink RibboncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF and Pink Ribbon merged their organizations and operations. Pink Ribbon focuses specifically on breast cancer awareness, research funding, and support for women with breast cancer. The merger combined KWF's broader cancer mission with Pink Ribbon's targeted breast cancer focus, creating a unified cancer-fighting organization.
• Albert HeijnmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlbert Heijn has supported Pink Ribbon for over 10 years with annual flower and plant campaigns during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They also sell the Pink Ribbon Armband. The 2025 campaign raised €504,250.
• Koninklijke Nederlandse Golf Federatie (NGF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGF and Pink Ribbon began a three-year partnership (2025-2028) aimed at raising €446,016 through golf-related activities (€1 per golfer). Activities expanded in 2026 to include event activations.
• VriendenLoterijmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVriendenLoterij has supported Pink Ribbon since 2009 through annual contributions from lottery participants who choose to support the organization. Minimum 40% of ticket price goes to good causes.
• PrimarkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimark conducted in-store campaigns including checkout rounding and employee sponsorship for Dam tot Dam Wandeltocht participation in 2025 (third year of partnership).
• HAKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHAK created Pink Lady Apple Sauce with €0.25 per jar donated to Pink Ribbon. Raised €14,392 in 2025 with support from Poiesz Supermarkten who doubled donations.
• MS ModeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMS Mode sold a specially designed Pink Ribbon collection with a month-long in-store and online campaign, raising €37,763 in 2025.
• CurvesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCurves fitness clubs conducted various fundraising activities and participated in Dam tot Dam Wandeltocht for Pink Ribbon, raising €15,618 in 2025.
• BK CookwareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBK Cookware designed and sold special breast cancer awareness month coasters, donating €10,000 to Pink Ribbon.
• HEMAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHEMA added QR-coded pink tags to all bras directing customers to breast self-examination information. Also developed a prosthesis bra and accepted SPAREPUNTS donations for Pink Ribbon during awareness month.
• ThermeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTherme has partnered with Pink Ribbon since 2024 with the Blooming Selfcare X Pink Ribbon fragrance collection, with proceeds going to Pink Ribbon.
• ChiquitaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChiquita changes blue stickers to pink at Albert Heijn during October for breast cancer awareness. Also sponsors Dam tot Dam Wandeltocht participants with bananas.
• Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF collaborates with UICC as part of its international cancer control engagement, sharing expertise and learning from global partners.
• Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF participates in ECL alongside other European cancer societies for knowledge sharing and collaborative advocacy.
• European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF collaborates with EORTC on European cancer research initiatives and treatment development.
• International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF participates in ICRP for international collaboration on cancer research funding and knowledge sharing.
• American Cancer SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF collaborates with American Cancer Society on international cancer initiatives including Relay for Life program.
• Cancer Research UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF refers to Cancer Research UK as a sister organization for international cancer information collaboration.
• European Fair Pricing Network (EFPN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF established EFPN uniting European cancer societies and research institutes to address fair pricing of cancer medicines. Partners include cancer organizations from Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Ireland, Belgium, Cyprus, and Switzerland. Netherlands Cancer Institute coordinates research.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• EORTC: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer — KWF collaborates with EORTC. Overlaps with KWF on cancer clinical research but specializes in running clinical trials across Europe rather than grantmaking.

Direct peers

• American Cancer Society: National cancer charity in the US; KWF explicitly collaborates with ACS via the Relay for Life program. Both organizations fund cancer research, prevention, and patient support through donations and operate at national scale.
• Cancer Research UK: UK national cancer research charity; explicitly referenced as a 'sister organization' to KWF. Both organizations fund cancer research, prevention, and patient information programs through donations.
• Deutsche Krebshilfe (German Cancer Aid): Leading German cancer charity funding research, prevention, and patient support. Directly comparable as a national cancer society operating in a major European market with similar grantmaking and donor-supported model.
• Ligue contre le cancer (French Cancer League): National French cancer charity with research funding, prevention, and patient support programs. Operates with similar funding mechanism (donations, legacies) and Cancer Society co-federal structure, making it a structural peer to KWF.
• Cancerfonden (Swedish Cancer Society): Swedish national cancer research charity funding cancer research and prevention. Highly comparable to KWF in mission and funding mechanism as another Nordic/European national cancer charity.
• Kræftens Bekæmpelse (Danish Cancer Society): Danish national cancer charity explicitly participating in KWF's European Fair Pricing Network. Comparable mission, governance structure, and grantmaking scope for cancer research and prevention.
• Kreftforeningen (Norwegian Cancer Society): Norwegian national cancer charity and EFPN member alongside KWF. Comparable in offering donations, lottery partnerships, and research grants for cancer research in their respective country.
• Stand Up To Cancer: International cancer research charity that funds collaborative translational research with celebrity/entertainment-industry backed fundraising model. Comparable in funding translational cancer research but with a different fundraising approach.

Broad incumbents

• Union for International Cancer Control (UICC): Global umbrella organization for cancer societies; KWF is a member. Operates broader international scope than KWF, focused on convening members, advocacy, and knowledge sharing rather than direct grantmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kwf_nl
• Facebookfacebook.com/KWFKankerbestrijding

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about KWF Kankerbestrijding