Cancer Research Society

What Cancer Research Society does

The Cancer Research Society (CRS) is a Canadian registered charity founded in 1945 and headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, with a secondary mailing office in Ottawa. The organization's core function is raising charitable donations and deploying them as competitive, peer-reviewed research grants and fellowships to Canadian investigators working on the prevention, detection, and treatment of all cancer types. CRS operates a portfolio of funding programs — Operating Grants (two-year awards; a record 100 awarded in 2024 representing $13M over two years), Next Generation of Scientists Awards (postdoctoral), Doctoral Research Awards ($70K each; 50 awarded in 2025), and the UpCycle Drug Repurposing Program — alongside co-funded clinical trial initiatives such as the pan-Canadian DECRYPT-BABYBRAIN and OPTIMISE trials.

CRS has no commercial product and does not sell to customers; its revenue model is exclusively donation-based, with inflows derived from four streams: individual donations (one-time, recurring, securities, legacy, life insurance, with a Giftabulator tool optimizing tax treatment), event fundraising (Urban BBQ presented by RBC, Challenge Against Cancer adventure expeditions, Read for the Cure literary events, The Classic, Cyclo-Golf Classic, Christmas Carols for Research, Le Challenge Rose, community runs/walks, Accords Célestes), corporate partnerships (RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, iA Financial Group, Penguin Random House Canada, MTY Group, Desjardins Insurance, La Vie en Rose), and the Lottery Against Cancer campaign launched in 2025. With 39 employees and a pan-Canadian footprint, CRS has cumulatively invested more than $450M in cancer research since inception and concluded its 80th anniversary in 2025.

The go-to-market motion combines event-driven, community-led, and partnership-driven fundraising rather than traditional sales. Distribution is anchored by recurring signature events (Urban BBQ 2026 netted $850K with 1,000+ attendees; Challenge Against Cancer 2023 raised $1M), digital fundraising campaigns including a summer matching-multiplier promotion, and a multi-channel marketing presence across website, email, social, PR, and direct mail. Scientific program expansion is executed through co-investment arrangements with peer charities — Ovarian Cancer Canada, Brain Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, Terry Fox Research Institute, PROCURE, Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation, Oncopole, BioCanRx, and Worldwide Cancer Research — which together have driven tens of millions of dollars of joint research deployment across prostate, lung, brain, ovarian, pancreatic, blood, and rare pediatric cancers.

Name

Cancer Research Society

Legal name

Cancer Research Society

Website

https://cancerresearchsociety.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cancer Research Society is a Canadian registered charity founded in 1945 in Montreal that funds peer-reviewed cancer research across all cancer types. It raises donations through individual giving, signature fundraising events, and corporate partnerships, deploying proceeds as grants, fellowships, and co-funded clinical trials across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research Charity Funding

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Patient Recruitment, Site Feasibility & Trial Enablement CROs (HLAGAAAI)

Keywords

• Cancer research funding
• Charitable grant programs
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Research fellowship awards
• Clinical trial sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including cash gifts, securities, legacy gifts, and life insurance donations. The Giftabulator tool helps donors maximize tax benefits while supporting cancer research.
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature events including Urban BBQ, Challenge Against Cancer, Read for the Cure, The Classic, and various running/walking events. Corporate sponsorships and ticket sales contribute to these fundraising events.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with corporations including presenting sponsors (RBC), platinum sponsors, and cause marketing partnerships. Includes matching gift programs and employee giving initiatives.
4. Lottery Against Cancer: Lottery campaigns as a fundraising mechanism, with the first edition launched in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Cancer Research Society (CRS) is a Canadian registered charity that exclusively funds cancer research across all cancer types. It solicits donations through signature fundraising events, individual giving programs, corporate partnerships, and lottery campaigns, then disburses funds through competitive peer-reviewed grant programs (Operating Grants, Doctoral Research Awards, Next Generation of Scientists Awards, UpCycle Drug Repurposing) and clinical trial co-funding partnerships with other cancer organizations.

Product overview

The Cancer Research Society (CRS) is a Canadian nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to funding cancer research. Rather than a traditional SaaS product, CRS operates a portfolio of fundraising programs and events combined with competitive research grant funding. The core offering consists of fundraising events (Urban BBQ, Challenge Against Cancer, Read for the Cure, Cyclo-Golf Classic, Christmas Carols for Research) paired with research funding programs (Operating Grants, Next Generation of Scientists Awards, Doctoral Research Awards, UpCycle Drug Repurposing Program). Clinical research initiatives include DECRYPT and OPTIMISE clinical trials. The Society facilitates donations through multiple channels including an online Giftabulator tool and various event-based fundraising campaigns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Challenge Against Cancer: International adventure challenge program allowing participants to trek various global destinations while raising funds for cancer research.
• Urban BBQ
• Read for the Cure
• Accords Célestes
• The Classic

Products and services

• Operating Grants Two-year research grants awarded to outstanding Canadian cancer researchers through peer review committees, supporting innovative projects in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment across all cancer types.
• Next Generation of Scientists Awards Scholarship program supporting postdoctoral fellows transitioning to independent research positions at Canadian universities, including a one-year fellowship and two-year research grant totaling $170,000 over three years.
• Doctoral Research Awards Two-year scholarships for doctoral students pursuing cancer-related research at Canadian universities, worth $70,000 each to support innovative cancer research projects.
• UpCycle Drug Repurposing Program Funding program encouraging Canadian researchers to explore repurposing existing drugs for new cancer therapy applications, with grants up to $100,000 supporting innovative approaches to reposition approved medications for oncology.
• Environment-Cancer Fund Dedicated fund supporting research on environmental factors affecting cancer development, including toxic agents, pollution, and lifestyle impacts on cancer progression.
• Urban BBQ Annual Montreal business community fundraising event featuring BBQ cuisine, networking, and fundraising for cancer research projects. Presented by RBC Royal Bank, with tax-receipt portion on $435 per ticket.
• Challenge Against Cancer International travel adventure program where participants complete challenges in destinations worldwide (Jordan, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Peru, India) while raising funds for cancer research.
• Read for the Cure Literary fundraising event featuring bestselling authors reading excerpts at evening gatherings in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, supporting the Environment-Cancer Fund.
• The Classic (Cyclo-Golf Classic) Annual sporting event combining cycling and golf held in Quebec cities and raising funds for cancer research. Presented by Scotiabank and BMO Insurance, distributed over $3 million in grants since 1993.
• Christmas Carols for Research Annual holiday-themed fundraising event raising funds specifically for breast cancer research, held at Montreal venues such as Maison Alcan.
• Le Challenge Rose Annual fundraising event supporting ovarian cancer research and awareness.
• Lottery Against Cancer Lottery fundraising initiative enabling Quebec residents to support cancer research through ticket purchases.
• Giftabulator Online tool helping donors visualize optimal giving strategies including cash gifts, securities, legacy gifts, and life insurance donations to maximize tax benefits while supporting cancer research.
• Run/Walk for Cancer Research Charity running and walking events allowing participants to raise funds for cancer research through various marathons and races across Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• Invested over $450 million in research grants and fellowships since 1945
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

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

• Ovarian Cancer CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Joint investment of $200,000 to support two projects focused on ovarian and endometrial cancer prevention and treatment. Also partner in Bridging the Gap for Ovarian Cancer Treatments Grants Competition ($1.2 million for two projects), RISE program, and previously $2.25 million for 10 ovarian cancer research projects and $1.35 million partnership.
• Canadian Cancer SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Partnership with Canadian Cancer Society and Terry Fox Research Institute to launch a first-of-its-kind national program supporting investigator-initiated clinical trials across Canada.
• Lung Cancer Research Grants CompetitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Second edition of Lung Cancer Research Grants Competition backed by $2 million total investment to accelerate scientific progress in lung cancer research.
• PROCUREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Major investment of $3 million to support six innovative research projects on prostate cancer. Strategic partnership combining forces for translational research in prostate cancer prevention, detection, or treatment.
• Go ConsigneminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2025Partnership with Quebec-based company to offer eco-friendly way to support cancer research through beverage container donations.
• Car for Life (ARPAC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 May 2025Partnership with charitable initiative of Association of Auto Parts Recyclers allowing donors to turn end-of-life vehicles into donations for cancer research.
• La Vie en Rose / Roses of Hope FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025Collaboration with La Vie en Rose through its Roses of Hope Foundation supporting initiatives promoting women's health and well-being, particularly breast cancer research.
• Brain CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025Partnership with Brain Canada and Kindred Foundation for national program funding translational brain cancer research with $2 million exceptional investment. Also partnered for 2025 Translational Research Grants for Brain Cancer program.
• Worldwide Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2024First international partnership for CRS with UK-based Worldwide Cancer Research to offer Canadian researchers access to international competition for innovative cancer research project funding.
• BioCanRxminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2018Partnership providing funding for two promising immunotherapy projects studying infected cell vaccines for acute leukemia and abdominal cancers at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
• OncopolemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2018Contribution of $1.5 million to Oncopole's EMC2 competition financing cooperative research projects across Quebec institutions. CRS was first philanthropic partner of Oncopole.
• Pancreatic Cancer Canada FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2017First-ever national research partnership dedicated to pancreatic cancer, raising $2 million over two years for PancOne Pancreatic Oncology Network linking cancer centres across Canada.
• Penguin Random House CanadamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner for Read for the Cure literary events held in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa, with authors reading in support of environment-cancer fund.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest US-based cancer charity with broad mission and global research investments. Functions as a broad incumbent in cancer research philanthropy — useful as an international scale benchmark.

Direct peers

• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's largest national cancer charity, funding research and providing support across all cancer types. Direct competitor for donor dollars and increasingly a research partner with CRS via the April 2026 investigator-initiated clinical trial program.
• Oncopole: Quebec oncology research consortium. CRS contributed $1.5M as Oncopole's first philanthropic partner for cooperative Quebec research projects (2018).
• Ovarian Cancer Canada: Canada's only national charity dedicated to ovarian cancer. Has multiple co-funded research partnerships with CRS, including Bridging the Gap ($1.2M), RISE, and $2.25M in 10 ovarian cancer research projects.
• Terry Fox Research Institute: Canadian cancer research funder founded in memory of Terry Fox. Joint partner with CRS in launching the new national investigator-initiated clinical trial program (April 2026).
• Brain Canada: Canadian foundation funding brain research. Partnered with CRS on a $2M Translational Research Grants program and a $2M national brain cancer funding partnership with Kindred Foundation (2025).
• PROCURE: Quebec-based prostate cancer charity. Currently in a $3M strategic partnership with CRS to support six prostate cancer research projects.
• Worldwide Cancer Research: UK-based charity funding cancer research globally. CRS's first international partnership (2024) gives Canadian researchers access to Worldwide's competition funding pool.
• Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation: National charity dedicated to pancreatic cancer. CRS partnered with PCCF on the PancOne Pancreatic Oncology Network (2017), the first national pancreatic cancer research partnership.

Emerging players

• BioCanRx: Canadian Network for Cancer Immunotherapy research and commercialization. CRS partnered with BioCanRx on funding for two immunotherapy projects studying infected-cell vaccines for acute leukemia and abdominal cancers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SRC_CRS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CRScommunications/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/recherchecancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-research-society-de-recherche-sur-le-cancer
• Instagraminstagram.com/recherchecancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Cancer Research Society