What Isabella Santos Foundation does

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina, dedicated to funding rare pediatric cancer research and supporting affected families. The foundation originated as a grassroots effort by Erin Santos-Primis while her daughter Isabella was in treatment for stage 4 neuroblastoma and has since grown into a regionally significant charitable organization, having raised more than $19 million cumulatively through 2025. ISF does not develop proprietary technology; its 'products' are programs—principally the TORCH Initiative (a multi-hospital collaborative funding platform launched in 2024 with a $2M annual goal), the Live My Dreams family support program at Levine Children's Hospital, the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program, and the ISF MIBG Treatment Suite (one of only 20 in the U.S.).

ISF's revenue model is diversified across individual donations (one-time and recurring via the Funraise platform), tiered leadership giving through the Three Wish Society ($2,500-$10,000 annual tiers) and the invitation-only Torchbearer Legacy Fund ($100,000+ multi-year commitments), five signature fundraising events (5K for Kids Cancer, Torch Gala, Charity Classic, Boots & Bubbly, Carolina Charm), corporate sponsorships and champion programs, restaurant partnerships (Dine+Donate, Menu Match), and planned giving instruments. Distribution of impact occurs through direct hospital partnerships—with Levine Children's Hospital as the primary anchor ($5M Rare & Solid Tumor Program commitment in 2019, $1M MIBG Suite in 2018) and the 2026 TORCH cohort spanning Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, UNC Medical Center, Levine Children's, MUSC Shawn Jenkins, and Novant Health Hemby—as well as family-facing programs and the OneBlood donation partnership.

ISF operates with a lean team of 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Erin Santos-Primis, supported by a C-suite (Chief Philanthropy Officer, Chief Partnerships Officer, VP Marketing & Communications) and a board comprising senior executives from Charlotte-area institutions (OrthoCarolina, JE Dunn, RSM, Amwins, Citizens Bank, Ally, Krispy Kreme, LPL Financial). The foundation holds GuideStar/Candid Gold Transparency and 501(c)(3) certifications, and serves patients from 24+ countries who travel to Charlotte for care.

Name

Isabella Santos Foundation

Legal name

Isabella Santos Foundation

Website

https://isabellasantosfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Isabella Santos Foundation is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has raised over $19M since 2007 to fund rare pediatric cancer research, clinical trials, and family support programs through hospital partnerships anchored at Levine Children's and a multi-hospital TORCH research initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Nonprofit

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

Keywords

• Rare pediatric cancer
• Childhood cancer research
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Clinical trial funding
• Family support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including general donations, monthly giving programs, and memorial/honor gifts. Donors can give via the foundation's website through the Funraise platform.
2. Three Wish Society Leadership Giving: Annual leadership donor program with tiered membership ($2,500 Bronze, $5,000 Silver, $7,500 Gold, $10,000 Platinum) providing exclusive benefits, event access, and voting rights on funding priorities.
3. Torchbearer Legacy Fund: Invitation-only fellowship requiring minimum $100,000 multi-year commitment for major donors seeking to make transformational impact beyond the Charlotte region.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including 5K for Kids Cancer, Torch Gala, Charity Classic, Boots & Bubbly, and Carolina Charm. Events feature ticket sales, sponsorships, auctions, and vendor fees.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with businesses for event sponsorships, multi-event packages, custom sponsorship packages, and corporate champion programs including company matching and employee engagement.
6. Planned Giving: Legacy giving options including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, retirement asset designations, life insurance beneficiary designations, and charitable gift annuities.
7. Non-Cash Gifts: Donor advised fund grants, gifts of appreciated stock (providing tax deduction and capital gains avoidance), and in-kind donations for events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Isabella Santos Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises charitable funds to finance rare pediatric cancer research, clinical trials, and survivorship programs at leading children's hospitals, while also providing direct support services to affected children and families. Its core offering includes the TORCH Initiative, which funds clinical research, basic science, and survivorship programs at hospitals such as Levine Children's, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, UNC Medical Center, MUSC Shawn Jenkins, and Novant Health Hemby, alongside family support programs (Live My Dreams, scholarships) and signature fundraising events (5K, Torch Gala, Charity Classic, Boots & Bubbly, Carolina Charm).

Product overview

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a charitable organization rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of the TORCH Initiative as the core funding program, supplemented by family support programs (Live My Dreams, ISF Scholarship Program), signature fundraising events (5K for Kids Cancer, Torch Gala, ISF Charity Classic, Carolina Charm, Boots & Bubbly), and donor engagement programs (Three Wish Society, Torchbearer Legacy Fund, Young Professionals Group). The foundation also partners with healthcare facilities including the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program and MIBG Treatment Suite at Levine Children's Hospital, and the OneBlood Donation Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TORCH Initiative: Transformational Outcomes for Rare Cancer Heroes - A bold funding initiative dedicated to improving both quantity and quality of life for young rare cancer patients, funding clinical research, basic science research, survivorship support and home hospital needs.
• Live My Dreams Program
• Three Wish Society
• Torchbearer Legacy Fund
• Young Professionals Group

Products and services

• TORCH Initiative ISF's flagship funding initiative that supports clinical research, basic science research, survivorship programs and hospital needs for children with rare pediatric cancers across leading pediatric hospitals.
• Live My Dreams Program Family support program providing critical resources including counseling services, dental care, hearing aids, scholarships and engaging activities for children and families affected by cancer.
• ISF Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program awarding funds to high school seniors and college students facing cancer diagnosis or who have made meaningful impact on the ISF mission.
• ISF 5K for Kids Cancer Annual community fundraising race that raises money for rare pediatric cancer research and family support, originating as the foundation's first major grassroots event.
• Torch Gala Premier annual fundraising gala uniting business leaders, donors, hospital partners and changemakers for an evening of fundraising benefiting children with rare cancer.
• ISF Charity Classic Annual premier golf tournament bringing together community and corporate leaders for fundraising with purpose, featuring celebrity pairings and interactive activations.
• Carolina Charm Interactive fundraising event featuring eligible singles competing to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, hosted by Bravo's Southern Charm personalities.
• Boots & Bubbly Two-day women's luncheon with western-chic theme featuring fashion show, boutique shopping and storytelling from families impacted by rare pediatric cancer.
• ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program Comprehensive program at Levine Children's Hospital focused on children with solid tumors and rare cancers, providing research, treatment and support services.
• ISF MIBG Treatment Suite Specialized treatment facility at Levine Children's Hospital providing MIBG therapy, one of only 20 such suites in the United States, funded through $1M investment.
• Torchbearer Legacy Fund Invitation-only collective of private donors committing minimum $100,000 multi-year gifts to expand ISF's mission and reach more families beyond the Charlotte region.
• Three Wish Society Leadership donor society requiring annual commitment of $2,500 or more, with benefits including event access, funding priority input and recognition.
• ISF Young Professionals Group Dynamic community of young leaders passionate about raising awareness for rare pediatric cancer, offering networking events, service projects and professional development opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• $19M+ raised since 2007 to advance rare pediatric cancer research and support families
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Partnerships

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

• Children's Healthcare of AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TORCH funding recipient. ISF is helping expand a first-of-its-kind immunotherapy for kids with relapsed neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma - giving children whose cancer has returned a safer, more powerful treatment option and expanding access across multiple hospitals nationwide. Once launched, this approach will also be expanded to Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte.
• UNC Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TORCH funding recipient. Advancing a groundbreaking brain tumor research platform that uses a child's own tumor tissue to test which treatments work best - helping doctors move faster toward safer, more effective therapies for rare pediatric brain tumors.
• Levine Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary hospital partner home to the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program (launched July 2020). TORCH funding accelerating immunotherapy research for rare sarcomas using patient-derived organoids. Also houses the ISF MIBG Treatment Suite (one of only 20 in the U.S., $1M investment in 2018).
• MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TORCH funding recipient. Unlocking a potential new treatment pathway for aggressive childhood muscle cancer by testing a promising drug combination that could lead to the first meaningful treatment advance in decades.
• Novant HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TORCH funding recipient at Hemby Children's Hospital. Strengthening whole-child care through expanded nutrition, mental health and creative art programs that support children and families throughout treatment and survivorship.
• Live Like MadisonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-funded the TINKS Trial with ISF and Move for Jenn, supporting pediatric cancer research initiatives.
• Move for JennminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-funded the TINKS Trial with ISF and Live Like Madison, supporting pediatric sarcoma research.
• Dr. Giselle ShollercoreOthers · 1 January 2020World-renowned researcher who leads the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children's Hospital (joined 2020). Previously led DFMO Pilot Clinical Trial funded by ISF (2017). Key figure in ISF's research initiatives.
• OneBloodcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership to operate the Isabella Santos OneBlood Donation Center in Ballantyne. Provides community blood donation opportunities while supporting the mission. The center opened in 2019 and ISF participates in community platelet donation activities.
• TORCH Scientific CommitteecoreOthersCommittee of leading pediatric oncologists from major institutions: Dr. Ashley Margol (CHLA/Keck School of Medicine), Dr. Navin Pinto (Children's Hospital Colorado), Dr. Raya Saab (Stanford/Lucile Packard), Dr. Nilay Shah - Committee Chair (Nationwide Children's), Dr. Rajkumar Venkatramani (Texas Children's/Baylor).
• Uwharrie BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2026 5K for Kids Cancer event. Major corporate partner providing significant event sponsorship and brand visibility.
• RSM US LLPmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 Sustaining Sponsor and 2026 sponsors including Katie Landy (Consulting Partner) from RSM serving on ISF Board. Provides professional consulting services and event sponsorship.
• JE Dunn ConstructionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 Sustaining Sponsor and 2026 Charity Classic Rory Sponsor. Nathan Holbrook (Healthcare Group Leader) serves on ISF Board. Major corporate sponsor for multiple events.
• The Country Club of the CarolinasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for the ISF Charity Classic Golf Tournament on June 1, 2026.
• The RevelryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue for Torch Gala (February 27, 2027) and Carolina Charm (October 16, 2026).

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: A leading national nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research and providing family support, with a similar mission to ISF but considerably larger scale and national reach. Directly comparable as a pediatric cancer-focused foundation using events, leadership giving, and research grantmaking.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Major childhood cancer research charity that funds research grants and clinical trials across leading pediatric oncology institutions. Comparable to ISF in mission, donor stewardship model (head-shaving events vs. ISF's signature events), and grantee hospital network.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National nonprofit accelerating the search for cures for childhood cancer through research grants and awareness. Directly comparable as a childhood cancer research funder that partners with major pediatric hospitals.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit focused specifically on pediatric cancer research funding and collaboration among leading institutions. Comparable to ISF in research-grantmaking focus and multi-hospital partnership model.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer research nonprofit that funds grants and empowers young leaders. Comparable to ISF in mission and engagement of young professionals in fundraising, with similar regional roots that scaled nationally.

Emerging players

• Live Like Madison: Small, family-led pediatric cancer foundation that has co-funded the TINKS Trial with ISF and Move for Jenn. Closely comparable to ISF as a small emerging player with similar grassroots, event-driven model.
• Move for Jenn: Smaller pediatric sarcoma foundation that co-funded the TINKS Trial with ISF. Comparable as an emerging grassroots cancer foundation that pools resources with ISF rather than competing head-on.

Broad incumbents

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major cancer research funder founded in memory of Jim Valvano that funds all cancer types across leading institutions. Comparable as a research-grantmaking incumbent, but with a much broader mandate and significantly larger scale than ISF's rare pediatric focus.
• American Cancer Society: Largest U.S. cancer nonprofit funding broad-spectrum cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. Comparable only at the broadest level; ISF competes with ACS for donor mindshare while focusing on a narrower rare pediatric segment.

Others

• Children's Oncology Group: National cooperative research organization running clinical trials across 200+ pediatric cancer centers. Comparable as a key node in the pediatric cancer research ecosystem where ISF-funded trials are ultimately delivered to patients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCucO7c4jv_8YAinkmkBki9Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isftorch/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/isftorch

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

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 Isabella Santos Foundation