The Morgan Adams Foundation

What The Morgan Adams Foundation does

The Morgan Adams Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2001 by Joan Slaughter and Steven Adams following the death of their daughter Morgan from Glioblastoma Multiforme at age six in 1998. The foundation's primary mission is to raise money and awareness for children affected by cancer, operating as a portfolio of programs rather than a single product. Core offerings include research grants (seed, bridge, and translational studies), tribute funds (WillStrong Leukemia Program, Bee Like Wyatt, Luke's Posse, Team Paxton), emergency financial assistance for families facing hardship during treatment, and patient-experience programs such as Radflix for children undergoing radiation. Through December 2025 the foundation has channeled nearly $12 million into pediatric cancer research, primarily executed through flagship partners Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

The foundation's revenue model is fully donation-driven and diversification-heavy. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring individual donations processed via Donorbox, signature fundraising events (Morgan Adams Concours d'Elegance, artma, Race Against Kids' Cancer, Chili Booze & Brews, and WillStrong Big ParTee), the Colorado Childhood Cancer Awareness specialty license plate (a $47 minimum donation plus $50 DMV fee co-shared with Cops Fighting Cancer), planned giving through the Iris Society, workplace giving and corporate matching, and memorial tribute funds. The go-to-market motion is primarily event-driven, supplemented by owned digital channels (website, the Research Friday monthly email, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube). The foundation employs approximately 14 staff including an Executive Director, finance, marketing, family liaison, and dedicated event managers. Leadership includes Executive Director Joan Slaughter and Director of Leukemia Programs Claudia Maniatis, following the 2024 integration of the WillStrong Cancer Foundation which launched the foundation's blood cancer program.

Name

The Morgan Adams Foundation

Legal name

The Morgan Adams Foundation

Website

https://morganadamsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Morgan Adams Foundation is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds pediatric cancer research and provides emergency financial assistance to affected families. Established in 2001, it has channeled nearly $12 million into research via Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Anschutz through grants, signature fundraising events, and donor programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research
• Childhood cancer funding
• Nonprofit charitable foundation
• Cancer research grants
• Family financial assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual donors through the website donation portal (Donorbox)
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including Morgan Adams Concours d'Elegance, artma, Race Against Kids' Cancer, Chili Booze & Brews, and WillStrong Big ParTee
3. Specialty License Plates: Colorado Childhood Cancer Awareness license plate sales generate proceeds for the foundation ($47 minimum donation plus $50 DMV fee)
4. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and the Iris Society planned giving program
5. Workplace Giving: Corporate matching gifts and workplace giving campaigns where employees can designate portions of income to the foundation
6. Tribute Funds: Memorial and honorific funds created in memory of or tribute to pediatric cancer patients, with proceeds supporting MAF programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Morgan Adams Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness to fund pediatric cancer research, including seed, bridge, and translational grants. The foundation also provides emergency financial assistance to families with children battling cancer, runs awareness initiatives (such as the Colorado Childhood Cancer Awareness license plate), and supports programs like Radflix that improve the treatment experience for pediatric patients.

Product overview

The Morgan Adams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates as a portfolio of fundraising programs and research funding initiatives rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include research grant programs (seed, bridge, and translational grants for pediatric cancer studies), tribute funds (WillStrong Leukemia Program, Bee Like Wyatt, Luke's Posse, Team Paxton), and family support services (Emergency Family Assistance Program). The foundation also operates technology initiatives like Radflix for pediatric radiation treatment entertainment, awareness programs including the Colorado Childhood Cancer License Plate, and various fundraising events (artma, Morgan Adams Concours d'Elegance, Race Against Kids' Cancer, Chili Booze & Brews). Donor engagement programs include monthly giving (Seeds of Hope Society) and planned giving (Iris Society). The foundation does not offer a software product with integrations or API capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WillStrong Leukemia Program: A blood cancer research program launched through partnership with WillStrong Cancer Foundation, focused on leukemia research.
• Bee Like Wyatt Tribute Fund
• Luke's Posse
• Team Paxton

Products and services

• Pediatric Cancer Research Grants (Seed, Bridge, Translational) Funding mechanism that awards seed, bridge, and translational grants to pediatric cancer researchers conducting innovative studies that may not yet qualify for larger federal grants. Nearly $12 million in research funded since 2001.
• Emergency Family Assistance Program Financial assistance program supporting pediatric cancer families facing hardship during treatment at Children's Hospital Colorado or Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, including bill payment support and travel assistance.
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Colorado License Plate Colorado DMV specialty license plate program creating awareness for childhood cancer; proceeds benefit The Morgan Adams Foundation and Cops Fighting Cancer.
• Radflix Technology Program Breakthrough technology allowing children to watch their favorite shows while receiving radiation treatments, providing entertainment and comfort during medical procedures.
• Morgan Adams Concours d'Elegance Prestigious automotive fundraising event supporting pediatric cancer research.
• artma City-wide art auction fundraiser hosted by The Morgan Adams Foundation.
• Race Against Kids' Cancer Fundraising race event supporting the foundation's mission to end childhood cancer.
• Chili, Booze & Brews Food and beverage fundraising event for pediatric cancer research.
• Iris Society Planned Giving Program Legacy/planned giving program allowing donors to include the foundation in estate plans through wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations.
• Seeds of Hope Society Monthly Giving Monthly recurring donation program providing sustainable funding for the foundation's research initiatives.
• WillStrong Leukemia Program Blood cancer research program established through partnership with the WillStrong Cancer Foundation, funding leukemia research in honor of Will Maniatis.
• Tribute Funds Program Memorial and honorific funds (including Bee Like Wyatt, Luke's Posse, Team Paxton) created in memory of or tribute to pediatric cancer patients, with proceeds supporting MAF research programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $12 million in research funds funded from February 2001 to December 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and featured program.

• WillStrong Cancer FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WillStrong Cancer Foundation has officially joined The Morgan Adams Foundation family. WillStrong had funded more than $500,000 in leukemia research in honor of Will Maniatis, whose AML treatments failed him in 2020. This partnership marks the official launch of MAF's blood cancer program. Claudia Maniatis, WillStrong's founder, now serves as Director of Leukemia Programs for The Morgan Adams Foundation.
• Cops Fighting CancercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado nonprofit organization that partners with The Morgan Adams Foundation for the Childhood Cancer Awareness license plate program. Proceeds from the license plate benefit both organizations.
• Radflixfeatured programStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreakthrough technology program that allows children to watch their favorite shows while receiving radiation treatments. Featured as a program supported by The Morgan Adams Foundation.
• Children's Hospital ColoradoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research partner where MAF-funded pediatric cancer research is conducted. Home to the Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program. Many ambassadors receive treatment at this facility.
• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for the Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program. Ambassador tumor donations are sent to this institution for DIPG and other pediatric cancer research.
• Colorado Department of Revenue (DMV)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState government partner enabling the Childhood Cancer Awareness specialty license plate program. Processes license plate orders and registrations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research through seed and translational grants and supporting affected families. Closest direct peer to MAF by mission, grant model, and donor base, though operating at materially larger national scale.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Large volunteer-driven nonprofit funding childhood cancer research through events, grants, and advocacy. Directly comparable fundraising and grantmaking model with significantly larger national event footprint.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Nonprofit focused on childhood cancer research funding through community events and grassroots fundraising. Highly comparable in mission, donor engagement style, and seed-research positioning.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: National nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research through collaborative research models and awareness campaigns. Comparable research grant focus but with broader national infrastructure.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Nonprofit driving pediatric cancer research funding and clinical trial acceleration. Similar mission around accelerating cures for childhood cancer; comparable but broader scope of research support.
• CureSearch (pediatric trial accelerator): Focuses on accelerating clinical trials and research specifically for childhood cancers, including through research grants. Closely aligned mission around pediatric oncology research funding and trial advancement.

Emerging players

• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National nonprofit advocating for childhood cancer families and providing support resources. Adjacent peer focused more on family support and policy than direct research funding.

Broad incumbents

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major cancer research grantmaking foundation funding all cancer types including pediatric. Comparable grantmaking mechanics but operates across all oncology, not pediatric-specific.
• Hyundai Hope on Wheels: Corporate nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research through dealer-driven fundraising and grants. Comparable pediatric cancer grantmaking model funded through corporate channels.

Others

• Livestrong Foundation: Well-known cancer nonprofit historically focused on survivorship support and cancer research. Tangentially related as a broader cancer awareness and patient support organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MAFdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/MorganAdamsFdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-morgan-adams-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/morganadamsfdn
• Xx.com/morganadamsfdn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 The Morgan Adams Foundation