The Children's Cancer Foundation

What The Children's Cancer Foundation does

The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, founded in 1983 by Shirley Howard to fund locally-based pediatric cancer researchers, treatment facilities, and patient support programs in the Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia region. CCF has raised over $44 million cumulatively since inception and has awarded more than $43 million to area hospitals and researchers; the foundation is led by President Tasha Museles (in role since 2019, previously Executive Director since 2014) and supported by a lean staff of three, a Board of Directors, and a Scientific Advisory Board that vets grant awards.

CCF's core offerings are three grant programs: Research Awards (up to $75,000 per award for local pediatric oncology investigators), the Giant Food NextGen Award (up to $100,000 for early-career investigators, established in 2013 in partnership with Giant Food), and Program Awards ($5,000–$20,000 for social and emotional support services serving pediatric cancer patients and families). The foundation also convenes an Annual Research Symposium (launched 2016; 10th edition held June 3, 2026) to promote regional research collaboration, alongside recurring community events including a 42nd Annual Gala (scheduled November 7, 2026), golf tournaments hosted by Saval Foodservice and Maryland NECA, and a Children's Holiday Party. Funding is sourced from individual donations, four-tier corporate sponsorships ($1,000–$25,000+), planned giving and legacy gifts, and community fundraising events; long-tenured corporate partners include Giant Food, The Kahlert Foundation, Saval Foodservice, Weis Markets, and Maryland NECA.

CCF's distribution model channels capital directly into researchers' labs and partner institutions including Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, Children's National Hospital, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the National Cancer Institute at NIH; complementary program funding reaches The Children's Inn at NIH (partner since 1990) and Horizon Day Camp (since 2018). CCF holds BBB Accredited Charity status, a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, and the Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Seal of Transparency. The organization operates no technology products, APIs, or AI systems; its technology footprint is limited to a website, Constant Contact email platform, and standard social media channels. Major capital milestones include a completed $5 million pledge to Johns Hopkins' Pediatric Oncology Inpatient Unit (2023).

Name

The Children's Cancer Foundation

Legal name

The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://childrenscancerfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Founded in 1983, The Children's Cancer Foundation is a Maryland-based nonprofit that funds pediatric cancer research and patient support programs across Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia. It awards research grants up to $100,000 to local investigators and has raised over $44 million cumulatively.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation / Pediatric Cancer Research Funding

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer research
• Charitable grant funding
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Community fundraising events
• Corporate sponsorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting childhood cancer research
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships from businesses at various levels (Founder's Circle $25,000+, Trailblazer $10,000-$24,999, Champion $5,000-$9,999, Friend $1,000-$4,999)
3. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Wills, bequests, retirement accounts, life insurance, Donor-Advised Funds, stocks, trusts, and annuities
4. Community Fundraising Events: Host events including golf tournaments, bake sales, basketball tournaments, skate parties, dance-a-thons, and other community fundraisers
5. Annual Gala: Annual black-tie gala celebrating community partners, families, and grant awardees with sponsorship opportunities

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that raises charitable donations and awards grants to fund pediatric cancer research, treatment facilities, and patient/family support programs in the Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia region. Its portfolio includes Research Awards up to $75,000, NextGen Awards up to $100,000 for early-career investigators, and Program Awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for psychosocial support services.

Product overview

The Children's Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that operates grant-making and community engagement programs rather than a technology product. The organization functions as a single unified offering centered on funding pediatric cancer research in the Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia region. Its portfolio includes three grant programs: Research Awards (up to $75,000 for researchers), the Giant Food NextGen Award (up to $100,000 for young investigators), and Program Awards ($5,000-$20,000 for patient/family support programs). The organization also hosts the annual CCF Research Symposium for research collaboration and community events including the Annual Gala and Children's Holiday Party for fundraising and awareness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CCF Research Awards Annual grants awarded to local pediatric oncology researchers for one-year research projects, with funding up to $75,000 per award. Supports early and promising research by investigators in Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
• CCF Giant Food NextGen Award One-year grant of up to $100,000 for young investigators pursuing careers in pediatric oncology research. Funded in partnership with Giant Food to combine research funding with professional development support.
• CCF Program Awards Grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 funding local programs that provide social and emotional support services for pediatric cancer patients and their families, including respite programs, hospital liaisons, and community support initiatives.
• CCF Research Symposium Annual research conference promoting collaboration among regional pediatric cancer specialists, researchers, fellows, and cancer survivors through knowledge sharing and networking. Free to participants thanks to Kahlert Foundation support.
• Children's Holiday Party Annual holiday event providing pediatric cancer patients, survivors, siblings, and parents an opportunity for respite and celebration away from treatment, featuring activities, food, and entertainment.
• Annual CCF Gala Annual black-tie fundraising celebration honoring community partners, families, and grant recipients, featuring fighter awards, hero awards, and stewardship awards recognizing contributions to pediatric cancer research.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% overall pediatric cancer survival rate today vs. 50% in 1975
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.

• Giant FoodcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Giant Food has partnered with CCF since 2013 to fund the Giant Food CCF NextGen Award for young pediatric cancer researchers. Giant Food's Pediatric Cancer Fundraising Campaign each September supports this $100,000 annual grant.
• Weis MarketssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWeis Markets is a corporate sponsor supporting CCF's mission to advance pediatric cancer research.
• The Children's Inn at NIHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCF has partnered with The Children's Inn at NIH since 1990, being the 2nd largest contributor to its building and establishment. CCF continues to fund Shirley's Kids Respite Weekend for families staying at the Inn.
• Horizon Day CampmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCF has proudly supported Horizon Day Camp with funding since 2018. Horizon Day Camp is Maryland's only no-cost, seven-week summer day camp for children experiencing cancer.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National pediatric cancer research grantmaking foundation funding research grants and family support programs; directly comparable mission and grant-based operating model to CCF, though operating at significantly larger national scale.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National nonprofit funding children's cancer research and supporting families; highly comparable mission around pediatric oncology research funding and patient/family programs.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Volunteer- and event-driven pediatric cancer research grantmaker; shares CCF's model of funding young investigators and supporting families, with similarly event-heavy fundraising (head-shaving events, galas).
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Pediatric cancer research grantmaker funding young investigators and conducting community fundraising events; closely comparable in grant size, mission, and event-driven GTM motion to CCF.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research and clinical trials; comparable mission and grantmaking structure but operates nationally rather than regionally.
• Hyundai Hope On Wheels: Corporate-backed initiative funding pediatric cancer research grants; comparable grant model (e.g., Young Investigator Grants) to CCF's NextGen Award, with single corporate sponsor concentration similar to Giant Food's role with CCF.
• Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation: Research grantmaking foundation focused on funding early-career cancer investigators — similar in operating model (reviewer-based grants to promising researchers) though broader in cancer type than CCF's pediatric focus.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest U.S. cancer nonprofit funding research, patient support, and advocacy; competes with CCF for the same donor dollars but at vastly larger scale and broader scope beyond pediatrics.
• The V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major cancer research grantmaker founded by Jim Valvano with similar research-funding mission to CCF, but operates at far larger national scale across all cancer types, making it a broader incumbent peer rather than a direct competitor.

Others

• Horizon Day Camp: Maryland-based nonprofit operating a free seven-week summer day camp for children with cancer; CCF has funded Horizon since 2018, making it a downstream program partner rather than a direct competitor but operating in the same regional pediatric cancer community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ccftoday
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCz884EJOLSbvn7hOq_h0WAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/thechildrenscancerfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ccftoday

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Children's Cancer Foundation