American Cancer Fund

What American Cancer Fund does

American Cancer Fund is a federally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit cancer educational organization founded in the early 1960s and headquartered in Hillsborough, New Jersey. The organization provides free cancer education across 100+ cancer types, covering signs and symptoms, risk assessment, treatment options, clinical-trial navigation, second-opinion guidance, hospital selection, survivor support, and holistic care options, delivered through a web platform at americancancerfund.org, an affiliated American Cancer Association educational arm, and a monthly email newsletter. Core branded educational assets include KNOW CANCER™, Cancer 101, Cancer Types, Cancer Treatment Basics, Cancer Prevention, and Early Detection resources; supporting campaigns include #KissingOffCancer®, Screamin' for Screenings™, CARtober, Growvember®, 12 Days of Giving, and Giving Tuesday appeals.

The underlying technology is a web-based content platform and donation processing system, not a proprietary AI or software product. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions across a diversified channel set: online one-time and recurring monthly gifts (starting at $5, with a 2026 symbolic tier of $20.26/month), SMS text-to-donate (FIGHTCANCER to 707070), PayPal Giving Fund, mail-in checks, memorial/sympathy tribute donations, birthday honor gifts, car donations, planned-giving bequests facilitated through a FreeWill partnership, and iGive shopping-affiliate revenue. The organization cites a 92-cent program-spending ratio and operates with 1-10 staff, suggesting a lean cost structure.

Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, anchored by recurring seasonal campaigns and social-media-driven peer-to-peer fundraising, with grassroots youth outreach (Screamin' for Screenings) and chamber-of-commerce regional networking supporting donor acquisition. Primary customer segments are cancer patients and their families, the general public seeking prevention and early-detection education, and secondarily healthcare professionals accessing educational modules. Strategic partnerships include the Patient Advocate Foundation (grant-funded case management), NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and NCCN member institutions (content sourcing), and a 2005 operational merger with American Cancer Association.

Name

American Cancer Fund

Legal name

American Cancer Fund, Inc.

Website

https://americancancerfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

American Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in the early 1960s that provides free cancer education, treatment-navigation resources, and awareness campaigns to cancer patients, families, and the general public, funded through diversified donations across web, SMS, mail, and affiliate channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Nonprofit Education and Patient Support

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Cancer education resources
• Cancer awareness campaigns
• Nonprofit fundraising programs
• Patient support services
• Cancer early detection

Headquarters

HQ city

Hillsborough

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations (Online): One-time and recurring donations made through the organization's website donation portal. Monthly giving starts at $5; a special 2026 monthly contribution of $20.26 is promoted as a symbolic yearly campaign. Donations are tax-deductible.
2. Mobile Text-to-Donate: Supporters can text 'FIGHTCANCER' to 707070 to donate any amount via mobile, enabling frictionless on-the-go giving with follow-up prompts.
3. PayPal Giving Fund Donations: Donations accepted through the PayPal Giving Fund platform, providing a familiar digital payment option for supporters.
4. Memorial & Sympathy Donations: Donations made in memory of a loved one, with the organization crafting and delivering personalized condolence messages to the bereaved family. Mail-in check donations to PO Box 7262, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 are also accepted.
5. Honor / Birthday Greeting Donations: Gift a donation in honor of a birthday or special occasion, with the organization delivering warm wishes and a note to the honoree while contributing to cancer research.
6. Planned Giving & Bequests: Charitable giving instruments including bequests, estate planning, and charitable gift annuities, enabled through a partnership with FreeWill for free will/trust creation.
7. Car Donations: The organization accepts vehicle donations as a form of in-kind contribution.
8. iGive Shopping Program: Through the iGive shopping network, supporters earn cash back on purchases made at participating retailers, with a portion donated to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

American Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free cancer education, early detection guidance, and patient support resources across 100+ cancer types, while raising funds through donations, planned giving, and trademarked awareness campaigns (#KissingOffCancer®, Screamin' for Screenings™). It distributes content via its website, monthly newsletter, SMS text-to-donate, PayPal Giving Fund, and youth-led community outreach, allocating 92 cents of every donated dollar to cancer patient programs.

Product overview

The American Cancer Fund is a nonprofit cancer organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of educational resources, awareness campaigns, and support services rather than a unified tech product. The core educational offerings include KNOW CANCER™ (cancer awareness initiative), Cancer 101 (foundational cancer knowledge), Cancer Types (information on 20+ cancer types), Cancer Treatment Basics, Cancer Prevention, and Early Detection resources. The organization operates multiple fundraising campaigns including #KissingOffCancer®, Screamin' for Screenings™, CARtober, Growvember®, 12 Days Of Giving, and Giving Tuesday. Affiliated brand American Cancer Association (ACA)™ serves as the educational arm translating medical research into patient-accessible information. Additional services include newsletter subscriptions, memorial/sympathy message donations, birthday greeting donations, clinical trials guidance, second opinion resources, survivors support, holistic care options, hospital selection guidance, and various donation mechanisms (online, text-to-donate, PayPal, planned giving). The organization has provided over 60 years of service with 92 cents of every donated dollar going directly to patient care, education, and support programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kissing Off Cancer®: A fundraising and awareness campaign challenging participants to kiss their loved ones for four or more seconds, post videos on Instagram, and challenge friends to participate. Timed to coincide with Cancer Prevention Month and Valentine's Day.
• Screamin' for Screenings™
• KNOW CANCER™

Products and services

• KNOW CANCER™ Educational initiative providing comprehensive information on cancer types, risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and early detection guidance to empower individuals in understanding and managing cancer.
• Cancer 101 Foundational educational resource covering how cancer develops, benign vs. malignant tumors, cancer stages (0-4), and understanding a cancer diagnosis.
• Cancer Types Comprehensive resource listing over 20 cancer types including breast, lung, colon, prostate, skin, leukemia, lymphoma, and more, with detailed information on each type.
• Cancer Treatment Basics Educational resource covering primary cancer treatments including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormones, along with guidance on maintaining a positive attitude during treatment.
• Cancer Prevention Resource focused on cancer prevention strategies including smoking cessation, skin protection, healthy weight maintenance, regular exercise, and screening guidelines for preventable cancers.
• Early Detection, Early Prevention Program emphasizing the importance of finding cancer at its earliest stages to dramatically increase chances of successful treatment and long-term survival.
• Clinical Trials Information Comprehensive resource explaining clinical trial phases (I-IV), protocol requirements, participation criteria, informed consent process, and links to ClinicalTrials.gov.
• Second Opinion Guidance Resource emphasizing the importance of seeking medical second opinions after cancer diagnosis, including guidance on discussing with doctors, finding specialists, and understanding insurance coverage.
• Survivors Support Resources for cancer survivors covering physical health, emotional support, nutrition, exercise, stress management, support groups, counseling services, insurance guidance, employment rights, and clinical trial opportunities.
• Choosing a Cancer Hospital Guidance on selecting cancer treatment facilities, including information on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) member institutions, NCI-designated cancer centers, and state-by-state hospital listings.
• Holistic Options Complementary cancer care information covering nutritional therapy, mind-body practices (meditation, yoga), acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine, and aromatherapy.
• Newly Diagnosed Resources Support resources for recently diagnosed cancer patients covering understanding diagnosis, treatment options, clinical trials, hospital selection, living with cancer, and holistic options.
• Living with Cancer Resources for individuals currently undergoing cancer treatment, addressing treatment questions, insurance navigation, clinical trials, recovery, and the Cancer Survival Toolbox.
• What We Fund Information about cancer research grants provided by American Cancer Fund to organizations working on cancer cures, treatment, detection, and research projects, including support for skin cancer, lung cancer, blood cancers, pediatric diseases, and breast cancer research.
• Monthly Newsletter Monthly digital newsletter providing information about cancer and cancer treatments, sent to subscribers via email.
• Memorial/Sympathy Donation Messages Tribute donation service allowing supporters to make memorial donations in honor of loved ones who have passed, with personalized condolence messages delivered to bereaved families.
• Birthday Greeting Donation Donation service allowing supporters to gift a donation in honor of someone's birthday, with warm wishes delivered along with contribution to the fight against cancer.
• Donation Options Multiple donation mechanisms including online donations, monthly giving, mobile text-to-donate (FIGHTCANCER to 707070), PayPal Giving Fund, car donations, planned giving, and bequests.
• Cancer and Covid-19 Information Curated resources for cancer patients providing information about COVID-19 precautions, decision-making during the pandemic, and explaining coronavirus to children.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to cancer patient programs
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Patient Advocate FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Cancer Fund has provided a grant to the Patient Advocate Foundation for the outstanding support they have provided to cancer patients. This partnership ensures patients have access to professional case management and localized support services at no cost.
• FreeWillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Cancer Fund has partnered with FreeWill to make it easy for supporters to create a will or trust at no cost, facilitating planned giving and bequest donations to the organization.
• iGiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough the iGive shopping network, supporters can shop at participating retailers, earn cash back, and a portion of each purchase is donated to the American Cancer Fund, generating passive charitable income.
• PayPal Giving FundminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe organization accepts donations through the PayPal Giving Fund, enabling PayPal users to easily donate to the American Cancer Fund via their existing PayPal accounts.
• Guidestar (Candid)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuidestar, the federal registry for charities, has awarded ACF/ACA their highest award, the Gold Exchange Seal and Partners in Trust, recognizing the organization's transparency and operational excellence.
• American Cancer Association® (ACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Cancer Fund and American Cancer Association joined forces in 2005 to streamline their missions of education and patient empowerment. ACF serves as the major resource hub and grant locator while ACA acts as the educational arm translating complex research into accessible information.
• Mercer and Middlesex County Chambers of Commerce; Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce; NJ Business and Industry Association (NJBIA); Somerset County Business Partnership; Hillsborough Economic Business Development CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Cancer Fund is a proud member of multiple regional business chambers and economic development councils in New Jersey, supporting community presence and local business networking.
• NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and NCCN Member Institutions (including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Cancer Association works closely with NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and NCCN member institutions (such as MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering) to monitor the latest advancements in oncology and translate them into public-facing educational resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Prevent Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit focused on cancer prevention and early detection through research, education, and outreach; very directly comparable to ACF's early-detection screening emphasis and mission around prevention awareness.
• Livestrong Foundation: Nonprofit providing cancer survivor support, patient navigation, and education programs; closely mirrors ACF's patient empowerment/education focus and survivor support resources.
• Cancer Research Institute: A nonprofit dedicated to funding cancer immunology research and providing patient education; comparable as a smaller, research-grant-making cancer charity with educational content, overlapping donor segment.
• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Founded by Jim Valvano, this nonprofit funds cancer research grants and conducts awareness/educational outreach; matches ACF's grantmaking-plus-education model and donor base.

Emerging players

• Cancer Hope Network: Smaller nonprofit providing one-on-one peer support for cancer patients and caregivers; overlaps with ACF's patient support and counseling resource layer but focuses more on peer mentorship.

Broad incumbents

• Susan G. Komen: Large-scale breast-cancer-specific nonprofit combining research grants, patient support, and broad public education; directly comparable disease-specific voluntary health organization structure to ACF's cancer-focused mandate.
• Stand Up To Cancer: High-profile media-driven cancer research charity funding collaborative translational research; matches ACF's research-grant funding model with significantly larger media presence.
• American Cancer Society: The dominant US cancer nonprofit operating cancer research funding, patient support, and broad public education across all cancer types; directly comparable mission to ACF but vastly larger scale, multi-billion-dollar fundraising footprint, and far broader service portfolio.

Others

• National Cancer Institute: Federal government agency that is ACF's upstream content source for cancer research translation and the authoritative source of cancer information and statistics that ACF curates for the public.
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network: Alliance of leading academic cancer centers providing treatment guidelines and patient resources; ACF's partner institution network (referenced in 'Choosing a Cancer Hospital' resources) makes it an ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/americancancerfund
• Xx.com/AmerCancerFund
• Facebookfacebook.com/americancancerfund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-cancer-fund-american-cancer-educational-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about American Cancer Fund