Mary Kay Ash Foundation

What Mary Kay Ash Foundation does

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public foundation established in 1996 in Addison, Texas (Dallas area), operating with a two-fold mission: funding translational research to find cures for cancers affecting women (breast, ovarian, cervical, uterine, endometrial) and ending domestic violence. The foundation functions as a grantmaking intermediary rather than a product company—it raises donations from individuals, the Mary Kay Independent Sales Force, and corporate partners (notably Mary Kay Inc.), then disburses those funds as grants to NCI-designated cancer research institutions (up to $100,000 over two-year periods) and to emergency domestic violence shelters across all 50 US states ($20,000 annually, minimum one per state). It also operates the International Postdoctoral Scholars in Cancer Research Fellowship in partnership with UT Southwestern Medical Center.

The foundation's operating model is event- and community-driven fundraising rather than product sales. Core programs include the annual MK5K Fun Run/Walk held each October, the Mary Kay Charity Golf Classic organized entirely by Mary Kay Inc. employees, the Team Up For Women community fundraising initiative, and the Foundation Ambassador Program. Distribution of funds occurs through structured grant cycles: cancer grants are awarded by invitation and reviewed by a Scientific Research Review Committee chaired by UT Southwestern's Dr. Jerry Shay since inception, while domestic violence shelter grants open to applications January–April annually. Corporate matching from Mary Kay Inc. on Giving Tuesday, planned giving/estate gift infrastructure, third-party event proceeds, and Albertsons/Tom Thumb reward card programs supplement the donation base. The foundation has cumulatively deployed over $100 million across 30 years—$41M+ to cancer research and $60M+ to domestic violence—supporting 290+ unique cancer researchers and 2,800+ shelter organizations.

Governance is provided by a Board of Directors including President Michael Lunceford, Vice President Ryan Rogers (grandson of Mary Kay Ash), and Board Member Jessica Bair. The foundation rebranded from The Mary Kay Foundation back to the Mary Kay Ash Foundation in 2021 to reinforce its namesake's legacy, and currently celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. Operations span the United States, Brazil, Canada, and China, though the bulk of grantmaking activity is concentrated domestically.

Name

Mary Kay Ash Foundation

Legal name

Mary Kay Ash Foundation

Website

https://marykayashfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1996 that raises and distributes donations to fund translational cancer research for women-affecting cancers and to support domestic violence shelters across the United States, operating with corporate sponsorship from Mary Kay Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation
• Cancer research grants
• Domestic violence shelters
• Women health nonprofits
• Grantmaking foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Addison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations from General Public: Individual donors contribute to the foundation through online portals, mail-in checks, and tribute donations made in honor or memory of loved ones. No minimum or maximum donation amounts are required.
2. Mary Kay Independent Sales Force Contributions: Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants and Directors contribute to the foundation through various fundraising activities, event participation, and direct donations. The sales force also participates in matching donation programs.
3. Corporate Matching Gifts: Mary Kay Inc. matches donations made on Giving Tuesday, with funds divided between CancerCare and Polaris human trafficking organization. Many employers offer matching gift programs for employee donations.
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Supporters can include the foundation in their estate plans through charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, pooled income funds, charitable lead trusts, life insurance policies, and real estate gifts.
5. Third-Party Event Proceeds: Community fundraisers and third-party events organized by supporters generate donations. At least 50% of event proceeds benefit the foundation. Programs like Albertsons/Tom Thumb reward cards generate ongoing donations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public foundation that raises funds through donations and distributes them as grants. It awards translational cancer research grants (up to $100,000 over two years) to NCI-designated cancer institutes and medical schools targeting cancers affecting women, and provides annual $20,000 grants to domestic violence shelters operating across the United States.

Product overview

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public foundation established in 1996 with a two-fold mission: funding research to eliminate cancers affecting women (breast, ovarian, cervical, uterine, endometrial) and ending domestic violence. The foundation operates as a grants organization rather than a technology product company. Its core programs include cancer research grants awarded to medical institutions, domestic violence shelter grants providing $20,000 annually to emergency shelters across the U.S., the annual MK5K fundraising event, the Team Up for Women community fundraising initiative, the Foundation Ambassador volunteer program, and the Mary Kay Charity Golf Classic. Additional offerings include the International Postdoctoral Scholars Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a library of educational resources for cancer awareness and domestic violence survivors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cancer Research Grant Program Grant program funding innovative translational research for cancers affecting women including breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, and endometrial cancers. Awards up to $100,000 for two-year periods to NCI-designated cancer institutes and accredited medical schools.
• Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program Annual $20,000 grants awarded to emergency domestic violence shelters across the United States providing safe housing and support services for women and children escaping abuse. Applications open January-April annually with minimum one grant per state.
• MK5K Fun Run and Walk Annual fundraising run/walk event held each October to raise funds and awareness for the foundation's two-fold mission of eliminating cancers affecting women and ending domestic violence.
• Team Up for Women Community fundraising initiative encouraging supporters to organize events such as fashion shows, game nights, 5K runs, and sporting events, with proceeds benefitting the foundation's cancer research and domestic violence prevention missions.
• Foundation Ambassador Program Volunteer program for passionate supporters to advocate through volunteerism, fundraising, social media engagement, and community outreach. Ambassadors receive lapel pins, event invitations, and recognition for fundraising efforts of $200+.
• Mary Kay Charity Golf Classic Annual golf tournament fundraiser organized by Mary Kay employees to raise funds for the foundation.
• International Postdoctoral Scholars in Cancer Research Fellowship Two-year fellowships enabling international postdoctoral researchers to conduct cancer research at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
• Resources and Educational Materials Downloadable guides and educational materials including breast self-exam cards, domestic violence safety planning guides, abusive relationship warning signs cards, and training video series for survivors, supporters, and advocates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of funded cancer research projects resulted in new scientific paradigms or challenging existing philosophies
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UT Southwestern Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Long-standing partnership hosting the International Postdoctoral Scholars in Cancer Research Fellowship program. Dr. Jerry Shay serves as principal investigator and has chaired the Research Review Committee since the foundation's inception in 1996. The fellowship offers international postdoctoral researchers opportunity to conduct cutting-edge cancer research at UT Southwestern facilities in Dallas.
• CancerCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe leading national organization provides free, professional support services to those affected by cancer. MKAF supports CancerCare through its Touching Hearts Program offering financial assistance for transportation, childcare, and homecare costs to women undergoing cancer treatments.
• Cancer Support Community North TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership ensures all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.
• Baylor Scott & White Dallas FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on advancing women's health by investing in early detection and better treatments. Supports Dr. Joyce O'Shaughnessy's research work in breast cancer.
• National Network to End Domestic ViolencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitial grant of $500,000 in 2003 to the Safety Net Project teaching domestic violence victims to safely use technology. Additional grants for translating safety planning tools into Spanish and supporting the Amy’s Courage Fund for victims and their children.
• National Domestic Violence HotlinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded $200,000 in 2007 for the Love Is Respect program to raise awareness about dating violence among teens. The hotline is approaching its 8 millionth call as of 2025.
• Look Good Feel Better ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation announced support for this nonprofit service for women cancer patients when launching in Canada in 2001.
• Conference on Crimes Against WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated as partnership between Dallas Police Department, FBI, and Genesis Women's Shelter & Support. MKAF has underwritten the conference for over 10 years, training more than 60,000 professionals nationwide.
• Genesis Women's Shelter & SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner providing life-saving awareness and support for thousands of women and children in the DFW area. Genesis was founded in 1985 to give women in abusive situations a way out.
• The Family PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest family violence shelter in Texas since 1978, providing 177 shelter beds each night, three emergency shelters, medical and dental clinics, counseling, and extensive community education.
• Denton County Friends of the FamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides compassionate, comprehensive services to those impacted by rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, partnering to promote safety, hope, healing, justice, and prevention.
• Hope's Door New Beginning CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Texas nonprofit serving with locations in Plano and Garland, providing free trauma-informed services to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse, dating abuse, or family violence.
• PolarisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst human trafficking organization. On Giving Tuesday, donations are divided between CancerCare and Polaris.
• St. Paul Medical Center / Mary Kay Ash Institute for Cancer ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 1998, St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas dedicated its Mary Kay Ash Institute for Cancer Research in honor of the foundation's support.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Polaris: Anti-human-trafficking nonprofit and current MKAF Giving Tuesday partner. Operates in an adjacent gender-based violence niche and shares the foundation's corporate-partner fundraising model.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence: Long-standing MKAF partner and social-change organization serving U.S. domestic violence shelters and coalitions. Closely aligned with MKAF's DV shelter grant program and survivor technology initiatives.
• Avon Foundation for Women: The philanthropic arm of another iconic direct-sales cosmetics company, with parallel focus on women's cancers and gender-based violence. Most structurally comparable to MKAF given shared business-model heritage and dual mission.
• Look Good Feel Better: Cancer patient support program that historically partnered with MKAF to provide beauty and confidence services to women in treatment. Shares the foundation's patient-support orientation within the cancer journey.

Broad incumbents

• Breast Cancer Research Foundation: National nonprofit funding translational and clinical breast cancer research globally. Comparable as a dedicated women's cancer research funder, though BCRF operates at a larger grant scale.
• YWCA USA: National nonprofit operating local associations that provide domestic violence services, housing, and women's empowerment programming. Overlaps with MKAF's DV shelter funding mission at broader scale.
• American Cancer Society: Largest U.S. voluntary health organization funding cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. Comparable in mission scope but vastly larger in fundraising capacity and program breadth.
• LIVESTRONG Foundation: Established cancer survivorship nonprofit funding navigation services and community programs. Comparable in cancer-related giving, though with a focus on survivors rather than bench-to-bedside research.
• Susan G. Komen: The largest U.S. nonprofit focused on breast cancer research and community health, awarding multi-million-dollar research grants. Overlaps with MKAF's cancer research portfolio but at meaningfully larger scale.

Emerging players

• Bright Pink: Smaller nonprofit focused on breast and ovarian cancer prevention and early detection for young women. Comparable target audience and women's cancer focus but operates at a smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MaryKayAshFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/MaryKayAshFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/marykaycares

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Mary Kay Ash Foundation