ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

What ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation does

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 2015 and headquartered in Saline, Michigan, with 26 employees. Its mission is to fund research into diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and diffuse midline glioma (DMG), an aggressive pediatric brain cancer with historically near-zero survival rates, while providing direct support to affected families. Since inception, the foundation has committed $44 million in research grants across 47 institutions, supporting 105 researchers, and has reached 657+ families in 43 US states and 44 countries through its My DIPG Navigator program.

The foundation operates diversified giving programs including monthly recurring donations, the Big Hero Club ($6,000/year minimum), the Cornerstone Club ($5,000–$100,000/year), and planned giving, with payment rails spanning traditional checks, Venmo, and cryptocurrency. Its research apparatus is anchored by the DMG-ACT clinical trial platform, co-developed with the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) and now spanning 40+ global trial sites. The foundation directed nearly $6 million — approximately 15% of its lifetime grant funding — to ONC201-related research, contributing to the August 2025 FDA approval of ONC201 (Modeyso), the first FDA-approved treatment for DIPG/DMG.

The organization was formed in 2021 through the merger of The ChadTough Foundation and Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation, consolidating two of the leading DIPG-focused nonprofits. The foundation reports that 98% of donations are directed to programs, and has announced a $4.2M investment in next-generation research for 2026, signaling sustained fundraising capacity and an expanding grant pipeline across multiple grant types (Fellowship, New Investigator, Game Changer).

Name

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

Legal name

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

Website

https://chadtough.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds DIPG/DMG pediatric brain cancer research and supports affected families through its My DIPG Navigator program across 43 US states and 44 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Pediatric Brain Cancer Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Pediatric brain cancer research
• DIPG research funding
• Family support services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Nurse navigation

Headquarters

HQ city

Saline

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: The foundation receives charitable donations from individuals through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, and tribute donations made in memory or honor of loved ones. These donations directly fund DIPG research grants and family support programs.
2. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including will bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, and naming ChadTough Defeat DIPG as beneficiary of retirement accounts or life insurance policies.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Event sponsorships from corporations supporting the foundation's signature events like RunTough, Gala, Superhero 6K, and Sparkle & Shop. Includes various sponsorship tiers with associated benefits.
4. Alternative Donations: Cryptocurrency donations, stock/bond donations, vehicle donations through Careasy, Donor Advised Funds, and Venmo payments. Venmo @ChadTough for convenient giving.
5. Payday Giving / Workplace Giving: Federal employees and retirees can donate through Combined Federal Campaign (CFC# 64149). Many employers offer matching gift programs to double impact.
6. Give-Back Business Partnerships: Partner businesses donate a percentage of sales to the foundation. Includes Underground Printing (ChadTough merchandise), Sarah Alexandra (Vivian Rose shirts), Art by Bea, Capitol Lighting, Kroger Community Rewards, and eBay charity listings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation funds competitive research grants (Fellowship, New Investigator, and Game Changer Grants totaling over $44M awarded to date) to advance DIPG/DMG pediatric brain cancer science, and operates the My DIPG Navigator program providing free one-on-one nurse navigation to families. The foundation also facilitates charitable donations through multiple giving vehicles (one-time, monthly, planned, tribute, and non-cash) and signature community fundraising events including RunTough, the annual 5K honoring Chad Carr.

Product overview

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a unified platform combining three core functions: funding game-changing DIPG/DMG pediatric brain cancer research, providing free 1-on-1 nurse navigation services through My DIPG Navigator, and facilitating donations via multiple channels. The foundation funds research through competitive grant programs (Fellowship Grants, New Investigator Grants, Game Changer Grants) and collaborative initiatives like the DMG-ACT clinical trial platform. It also organizes signature events (RunTough) and manages giving programs (Monthly Giving, Planned Giving, Big Hero Club, Cornerstone Club, Event Sponsorships). The My DIPG Navigator program provides dedicated 1-on-1 support from experienced pediatric oncology nurses. The foundation partners with families, research organizations, and businesses through its Family Partners, Research Partners, and Navigator Partners programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• My DIPG Navigator Free one-on-one nurse navigation program providing experienced pediatric oncology nurses who help families make informed decisions about diagnosis, treatment options, and resources throughout their DIPG or DMG journey. Available to patients in the United States.
• DIPG/DMG Research Grants Competitive grant program funding DIPG/DMG research through three tracks: Fellowship Grants (pre-doctoral $200K and post-doctoral $300K over 3 years), New Investigator Grants (up to $400K over 3 years for newly independent researchers), and Game Changer Grants (up to $600K over 3 years for hypothesis-driven innovative research). Applications reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Council via Proposal Central.
• DMG-ACT Clinical Trial Platform Adaptive Combinatorial Trial platform for diffuse midline glioma research - a collaborative clinical trial framework designed to accelerate evaluation of promising treatments across multiple institutions, including PNOC022 and PNOC023 trials.
• RunTough Annual 5K Event Annual 5K fundraising event held during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September honoring Chad Carr. Features 5K race, 1M Fun Run, DJ, tot race, and family fun zone. Available in-person in Saline, MI and virtually.
• Research Workshop Annual forum for DIPG/DMG researchers to collaborate on unpublished work to accelerate the path to a cure. Also provides research updates and networking opportunities for family partners.
• Monthly Giving Program Sustaining donor program allowing monthly recurring contributions to fund consistent DIPG/DMG research and family support. Includes tax receipts annually and ability to donate in honor or memory of a loved one.
• Michael Mosier Big Hero Club Sustained giving program requiring commitment of at least $6,000 per year or $500 per month for 3 years or more. Enables effective multi-year planning for research grant awards. Named in honor of Michael Mosier who was 'Forever 6'.
• Cornerstone Club Major giving membership program with minimum commitment of $5,000-$100,000 per year for a 3-year minimum term. Giving levels: Contributor ($5,000), Celebrator ($10,000), Collaborator ($25,000), CureMaker ($50,000), Champion ($100,000).

Quantifiable outcome

• First-ever FDA-approved treatment for DIPG/DMG (ONC201/Modeyso™) achieved in August 2025, with foundation investing nearly $6M in related efforts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

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

• Oncoceutics/ChimerixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiotech company that developed ONC201 (now Modeyso™), the first FDA-approved treatment for recurrent H3 K27M-mutant DMG/DIPG. ChadTough invested nearly $6M in ONC201-related efforts. Oncoceutics was acquired by Chimerix in 2021, which was later acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2025.
• Family Partners (40+ families)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamilies who have lost children to DIPG/DMG who actively fundraise without setting up their own 501c3. They honor their children's fight by advancing the foundation's shared mission. Examples include Grant's Ginormous Gift Foundation (Steensland family), Live Like Lilian (Blackman family), SamStrong (Levine family), and Emerson the Brave (Hoogendoorn family).
• DMG-ACT (Diffuse Midline Glioma - Adaptive Combinatorial Trial)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative clinical trial framework launched with foundation support. Now a global initiative with 40+ trial sites worldwide evaluating promising DMG treatments including ONC201 combinations. Led by PNOC with foundation as founding partner.
• Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional clinical trials consortium running DMG-ACT platform trials including PNOC022 and PNOC023. Foundation provides core operating support and strategic leadership.
• Cancer Commons / xCuresmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy organizations that helped implement the ONC201 Expanded Access Program, enabling patient access to experimental treatment.
• CareasyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation processing partner enabling no-cost, no-hassle car donations to benefit the foundation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dragon Master Foundation: DIPG-focused foundation that co-funded the ONC201 Expanded Access Program alongside ChadTough. Highly comparable mission, co-funding model, and grassroots family-driven fundraising approach.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Major childhood cancer research foundation with a similar grassroots peer-to-peer fundraising model and tiered grant programs (Innovation Grants, Young Investigator Grants). Comparable donor ecosystem and event-driven GTM.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer research foundation funding high-impact grants with a peer-to-peer fundraising model. Comparable donor base, research-grant portfolio approach, and emphasis on next-generation investigators.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: National childhood cancer research and support organization with similar grant programs and family resources. Comparable mission focus and funding structure across pediatric cancers.
• The Lilabean Foundation: Pediatric brain cancer (especially DIPG) foundation with a similar family-driven origin story and peer-to-peer fundraising model. Direct overlap in disease focus and donor constituency.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Childhood cancer research foundation with a focus on less-toxic, more-targeted treatments—comparable research-grantmaking mission and corporate partnership model.
• McKenna Claire Foundation: Pediatric brain cancer (DIPG-specific) foundation that operates as a ChadTough Research Partner. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and family-driven funding model.
• SoSoStrong Foundation: DIPG-focused foundation listed as a ChadTough Research Partner co-funder. Shares the disease-specific mission, grant co-funding model, and grassroots family-led fundraising approach.

Broad incumbents

• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Larger and longer-established foundation funding pediatric brain tumor research broadly (including DIPG). Comparable research-grantmaking and family-support model, but with a wider tumor-type portfolio.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Large pediatric cancer research funder with event-driven (head-shaving) grassroots fundraising. Comparable in scale and research-grantmaking structure but covers all childhood cancers, not just brain tumors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chadtough
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCE7VJnTsk-y6nlTILPdBdIg
• Facebookfacebook.com/chadtoughfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chadtough
• Instagraminstagram.com/chadtoughdefeatdipg

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation