The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation

What The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation does

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by Brooke and Keith Desserich following their daughter Elena's diagnosis with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the foundation operates under a "homerun cure" philosophy — prioritizing research into the most lethal and underfunded pediatric brain cancers (DIPG, DMG, and medulloblastoma) on the premise that breakthroughs in aggressive tumors will translate to cures across cancer more broadly. The foundation functions as a grantmaking organization rather than a technology company, having disbursed $29.7M USD across 196 grants at over 100 hospitals in 29 countries since inception.

The foundation's product surface comprises three core programs: a Research Grants & Funding Program (the primary function, including multi-year "Big Fat Grants" of $1M for projects such as the Seattle Children's/St. Jude CAR T-cell initiative); family-facing support services including the Warrior Program (free customized apparel for children battling brain cancer), Families Helping Families peer mentorship, and a network of financial support partner organizations; and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative, an international consortium founded in 2011 that unites independent foundations to coordinate research funding and eliminate duplication. The foundation has no proprietary technology platform; its operations are enabled by a chapter network of 55+ chapters across the US, Australia, Canada, and Japan, supported by approximately 19 staff and a part-time chapter leadership model.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations via a diversified mix of channels: individual contributions (credit card, PayPal, Venmo, stock, cryptocurrency, vehicle, payroll), corporate partnerships tiered from $10K to over $1M (flagship partner Graeter's Ice Cream alone has contributed over $1M cumulatively), and 150+ annual fundraising events ranging from galas to livestream campaigns. Donor acquisition is community-led and event-driven, with chapters required to meet a $25K threshold to participate in governance via the Strategic Advisory Council. The foundation holds four-star Charity Navigator and Candid Platinum Seal ratings, and received the 2015 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Service Award for its founders.

Name

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation

Legal name

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation

Website

https://thecurestartsnow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding pediatric brain cancer research (DIPG, DMG, medulloblastoma) through grants, family support programs, and an international chapter network spanning four countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: 100% of donations after credit card processing fees go directly to cancer research. Accepts credit cards via donate2csn.org, PayPal, Venmo (@thecurestartsnow), and physical checks.
2. Stock and Estate Donations: Donors can contribute stocks, set up charitable beneficiaries for retirement accounts, or include the foundation in estate plans or trusts for tax advantages.
3. Vehicle Donations: Accepts car, truck, RV, and even plane donations as a hassle-free giving option.
4. Cryptocurrency Donations: Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and other cryptocurrencies with potential tax advantages similar to stock donations.
5. Payroll Giving: Employees can donate directly from their paycheck to support ongoing research funding.
6. Event Fundraising: Ongoing fundraising campaigns including Nerf Cancer livestreaming, birthday fundraisers, DIY fundraisers, bake sales, virtual cycling, calendar fundraisers, Caps for the Cure, Gold Out Games, beard-growing contests, and restaurant partnerships.
7. Corporate Partnerships: Business partnerships at various tiers ($1M+ partners like Graeter's, $100K-$1M partners including Abstract Displays, Allstate, Gold Star, Jackson Hewitt, Jersey Mike's, Capital Group, and $10K-$100K partners including Color Street, DMSI, ExVoto, GE Credit Union, Infintech, Mecha, Orange Theory Fitness, Panera, Prodigy, Union Pacific, Linea Solutions).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds pediatric brain cancer research through restricted grants focused on DIPG, DMG, and medulloblastoma. It also provides direct family support services (Warrior Program with free customized apparel, peer support, financial-assistance referrals) and operates the DIPG/DMG Collaborative international research consortium founded in 2011.

Product overview

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding pediatric brain cancer research with a focus on the 'homerun cure' strategy—targeting the most aggressive cancers like DIPG, DMG, and medulloblastoma to find treatments applicable to all cancers. The foundation operates as a grant-giving organization with no single software product; rather, it offers a portfolio of research funding programs, family support services, and fundraising tools. Key offerings include the Research Grants & Funding Program (196 grants totaling $29.7M across 29 countries), the Warrior Program (providing free customized apparel to children battling brain cancer), the Families Helping Families peer support network, and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative international research consortium. The organization also provides fundraising platforms and DIY campaign toolkits enabling supporters to raise money through livestreaming, school events, sports games, and corporate partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DIPG/DMG Collaborative: A cooperative effort of independent foundations from around the world that join together to support long term DIPG/DMG research, eliminating duplication, enhancing transparency and building cooperative channels.
• DIPG Warrior
• DMG Warrior
• Medullo Warrior
• Brain Cancer Warrior
• Homerun Cure

Products and services

• Research Grants & Funding Program Restricted grants program funding pediatric brain cancer research in DIPG, DMG, medulloblastoma, and related cancers. Since 2007, has funded 196 grants totaling $29,679,360 USD at more than 100 hospitals across 29 countries. Grants range from ~$23K sub-awards to $1M Big Fat Grants (BFGs) and are accountable to specific research deliverables. Recipients include Cincinnati Children's, Seattle Children's, St. Jude, Children's National, Columbia, Monash, Erasmus MC, Weill Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Children's Cancer Institute Australia.
• Warrior Program (DIPG Warrior, DMG Warrior, Medullo Warrior, Brain Cancer Warrior) Family-support program providing free customized apparel (named after the child) to families with a child battling DIPG, DMG, medulloblastoma, or brain cancer. Includes free customized apparel, support resources, and community connection. No fees to participate.
• Families Helping Families Support Program Peer-support initiative that connects newly diagnosed families with experienced families affected by pediatric brain cancer. Includes one-on-one support and three private Facebook support groups (DIPG/DMG, Medulloblastoma, Brain Cancer). Network spans 1,200+ families.
• DIPG/DMG Collaborative International cooperative network of independent foundations supporting long-term DIPG/DMG research, eliminating duplication, enhancing transparency, and building cooperative research channels. Has produced five DIPG/DMG Collaborative Symposiums featuring experts from 15+ countries and helped fund over $15 million in innovative trials. The Cure Starts Now is a Foundational Partner.
• Financial Support Partners Network Network of partner foundations that provide financial-assistance grants to families of children with brain cancer, including The Brooke Healey Foundation, Reflections Of Grace Foundation, Love Chloe Foundation, Aidan's Avengers, Musella Foundation (Brain Tumor Drug Copayment Assistance), Lauren's Fight for Cure, The Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation, Aubreigh's Army Foundation 328, and The Ayla Foundation. Covers drug costs, travel, accommodation, medical bills, end-of-life gifts, and special experiences.
• Business Partnership Program Tiered corporate partnership program enabling businesses to support pediatric brain cancer research through donations, employee matching, in-store cause-marketing campaigns, employee engagement, and brand visibility opportunities. Tiers: $1M+ (Graeter's), $100K–$1M (Abstract Displays, Allstate, Gold Star Chili, Jackson Hewitt, Jersey Mike's, Capital Group), $10K–$100K (Color Street, DMSI, ExVoto, GE Credit Union, Infintech, Mecha, Orange Theory, Panera, Prodigy, Union Pacific, Linea Solutions, Delta Air Lines).
• Donation & Fundraising Platform Multi-channel donation platform accessed via donate2csn.org and thecurestartsnow.org, accepting one-time and recurring gifts through credit cards, PayPal, Venmo (@thecurestartsnow), checks, stock transfers, charitable beneficiary designations for retirement accounts, estate planning, vehicles (cars, trucks, RVs, planes), cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.), donor-advised funds, employer matching gifts, and payroll deductions. 100% of donations after credit card processing fees go directly to cancer research.
• DIY Fundraising Campaigns Do-it-yourself fundraising campaign toolkit enabling individuals, schools, teams, and community groups to run peer-led fundraisers including Nerf Cancer (livestream fundraising), Caps for the Cure (hat day at schools), Gold Out Games (sports team events), birthday fundraisers, bake sales, virtual cycling, calendar fundraisers, and beard-growing contests.
• Warrior Profiles & Heroes Registry Online registry and tribute pages that showcase children who have battled or are battling brain cancer, honoring them as heroes and connecting their stories to the foundation's research mission and Warrior Programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of donations after processing fees go directly to research
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and standard.

• DIPG/DMG CollaborativeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by The Cure Starts Now in 2011 as a cooperative effort of independent foundations worldwide that join together to support long-term DIPG/DMG research. Has produced five DIPG/DMG Collaborative Symposiums featuring experts from over 15 countries, supported the International DIPG Registry and SIOPe DIPG Registry, and funded over $15 million in innovative trials. The foundation serves as a Foundational Partner.
• Children's National HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gene Hwang, Chief of Oncology at Children's National Hospital, received a research grant to support a clinical trial targeting diffuse midline glioma (DMG). The grant funds a collaborative mRNA vaccine project using innovative multilamellar nanoparticle technology in partnership with Dr. Elias Sayour at the University of Florida.
• Seattle Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project lead (alongside St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) for a $1 million Big Fat Grant (BFG) to accelerate development of promising new strategies to treat diffuse midline glioma (DMG). This is the second consecutive year the foundation has awarded this grant.
• St. Jude Children's Research HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project lead (alongside Seattle Children's Hospital) for a $1 million Big Fat Grant to advance CAR T-cell therapy for childhood brain cancer treatment of DMG.
• Children's Cancer Institute (Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partnership since 2011 that began with a $156,000 AUD research grant and has grown into a powerful global partnership. The Cure Starts Now, with DIPG/DMG Collaborative partners, has contributed more than $3 million AUD to groundbreaking DIPG/DMG research.
• Graeter's Ice CreamflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner$1M+ partner. Partnership has raised over $1,000,000 for research through cause marketing including 'Cones for the Cure' campaign where retail locations give away free ice cream to Sweet Rewards members and donate to The Cure Starts Now.
• Abstract DisplaysmajorGTM or Marketing Partner$100K-$1M tier partner supporting pediatric brain cancer research through corporate partnership.
• AllstatemajorGTM or Marketing Partner$100K-$1M tier corporate partner supporting cancer research through company-wide giving programs.
• Gold Star ChilimajorGTM or Marketing Partner$100K-$1M tier partner with restaurant locations supporting fundraising campaigns.
• Jackson HewittmajorGTM or Marketing Partner$100K-$1M tier partner providing tax-related fundraising support and employee giving programs.
• Jersey Mike'smajorGTM or Marketing Partner$100K-$1M tier restaurant partner supporting cancer research through in-store fundraising campaigns.
• Capital GroupmajorGTM or Marketing Partner$100K-$1M tier partner with employee matching gift and workplace giving programs.
• Color StreetstandardGTM or Marketing Partner$10K-$100K tier partner supporting fundraising through product-based campaigns.
• Panera BreadstandardGTM or Marketing Partner$10K-$100K tier restaurant partner with fundraising campaigns at bakery-cafe locations.
• Orange Theory FitnessstandardGTM or Marketing Partner$10K-$100K tier fitness partner supporting fundraising events at studio locations.
• Union PacificstandardGTM or Marketing Partner$10K-$100K tier partner with employee giving and corporate philanthropy programs.
• Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles for Business)standardGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel partner allowing donors to add business ID US2052333 when booking flights, earning additional travel points for the organization at no cost to the donor.
• The Brooke Healey FoundationstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Jersey-based organization fighting DIPG and pediatric cancers. Funds research through the DIPG Collaborative, helps families throughout the US, and awards scholarships.
• Reflections Of Grace FoundationstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers financial assistance grants to families of children with brain cancer. Founded by Tamara Ekis in memory of daughter Grace who passed from DIPG.
• Love, Chloe FoundationstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers financial assistance to families in Central Kansas for children undergoing cancer treatment.
• Aidan's AvengersstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily support program providing financial support to families of children diagnosed with brain tumors in PA, NJ, DE, MD and NY.
• Musella Foundation (Brain Tumor Drug Copayment Assistance Program)standardStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides financial assistance to families needing help covering drug costs for Primary Malignant Brain Tumors (Grade 3 or 4).
• Lauren's Fight for CurestandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast Indiana Foundation offering end-of-life gifts or financial assistance grants for young adults diagnosed with DIPG.
• The Yuvaan Tiwari FoundationstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides financial support to US families with a child diagnosed with DMG/DIPG for travel, accommodation, medical treatments, or special experiences.
• Aubreigh's Army Foundation 328standardStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile, Alabama foundation helping DIPG families indirectly with financial support for medical bills and treatment.
• The Ayla FoundationstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers grants to help families cover travel-related costs when their child is receiving treatment for DIPG or DMG.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Pediatric cancer research foundation funding collaborative clinical trials and research — directly comparable in mission, research grantmaking model, and donor base overlap.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research and providing family support resources — directly comparable in mission, research funding, and family support programming for childhood cancer.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: The largest nonprofit dedicated to pediatric brain tumor research and family support — directly comparable in disease focus (pediatric brain tumors), research funding model, and family support services.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer research fundraising nonprofit with a volunteer-driven and youth-engagement model — comparable in event-based fundraising, donor base, and pediatric cancer research grantmaking.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Major volunteer-driven and event-based pediatric cancer research foundation — highly comparable in grassroots fundraising model, chapter/volunteer structure, and childhood cancer research grantmaking focus.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO): National grassroots advocacy and support organization for children with cancer and their families — comparable in mission, family support services, and community-based awareness programming.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: A leading childhood cancer charity funding research and supporting families, with a similar donor-driven fundraising model and focus on pediatric cancer cures — directly comparable in mission, scale, and family support programming.
• Musella Foundation: Brain tumor-specific nonprofit funding research and patient financial assistance — directly comparable in brain tumor focus and research grantmaking, and an existing TCSN financial support partner.
• Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation: Childhood cancer foundation funding research and providing family financial assistance — comparable in mission scope (research + family support) and donor-driven operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Oncology Group (COG): The world's largest pediatric cancer research organization, funded largely by NIH and major foundations — a broader incumbent that TCSN funds researchers through, providing collaborative infrastructure for the field.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation