Maine Cancer Foundation

What Maine Cancer Foundation does

Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 1976 and headquartered in Falmouth, Maine (170 US Rte 1, Suite 250). The foundation leads a statewide effort to reduce the impact of cancer in Maine by channeling donated funds into three programmatic focus areas: cancer prevention (smoking cessation, healthy lifestyles, preventative care), early detection and screening (breast, cervical, colorectal, melanoma, lung), and improving access to care regardless of income or geography. MCF serves Maine residents across all 16 counties, and its programmatic reach is explicitly statewide — described by the organization as covering communities 'from Acadia to Augusta, Fort Kent to Falmouth, Wells to Washington County.'

MCF operates as a grant-making intermediary rather than a direct service provider. The foundation maintains approximately 75 active grants at any given time and awards roughly 40 new grants annually through a competitive process. Individual grant sizes typically range from $50,000 to $100,000, with grantees spanning major Maine healthcare systems (Maine Medical Center, Penobscot Community Health Care, Northern Light Health hospitals), rural hospitals, regional transportation providers (Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Maine Mobile Health Program), and community support organizations (Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, receiving $155,000 through 7 grants since 2018). Beyond grant-making, MCF operates signature fundraising events — Tri for a Cure (approaching $20 million raised all-time, with a 15th anniversary milestone approaching) and Mary's Walk (over $3.7 million raised all-time) — as well as the CheckME awareness campaign, Maine's Impact Cancer Network, and Project ECHO for provider education. MCF does not develop proprietary technology; its product surface consists of grant programs, awareness campaigns, events, and educational resources.

The foundation's revenue model is entirely donation-based, with 100% of contributions directed to Maine cancer-fighting programs. Fundraising occurs through individual donations, signature event participation, community fundraisers (ranging from bake sales to Mt. Kilimanjaro climbs), planned giving, stock gifts, and corporate sponsorships. In 2024 MCF additionally secured $1 million in federal funding through Senator Susan Collins for the Northern Light mobile mammography van, representing a diversification beyond traditional donation revenue. MCF is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors (President: Laura Pfeiffenberger) and operates with a small staff of approximately 6-7 employees led by Executive Director Ray Ruby, appointed November 2022.

Name

Maine Cancer Foundation

Legal name

Maine Cancer Foundation

Website

https://mainecancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maine Cancer Foundation is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises donations and event funds to award roughly 40 grants annually to healthcare providers and community organizations statewide, supporting cancer prevention, screening, and access-to-care programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Grantmaking Foundation

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Cancer grantmaking
• Nonprofit philanthropy
• Healthcare grants
• Cancer prevention funding
• Charitable fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Falmouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donations from Maine residents and supporters. The organization emphasizes that 100% of donations support cancer-fighting programs in Maine.
2. Event Fundraising: Major fundraising events including Tri for a Cure (annual triathlon event raising millions), Mary's Walk, and community fundraisers. Community fundraising efforts range from pie sales to Mt. Kilimanjaro climbs.
3. Planned Giving: Planned giving and legacy gifts from donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Maine Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making foundation that raises money through individual donations, planned giving, and signature fundraising events, then distributes 100% of those contributions as grants to Maine-based organizations advancing cancer prevention, early detection, and access to care. It funds mobile mammography units, patient navigation programs, screening initiatives across multiple cancer types, transportation assistance for patients, and provider education programs such as Project ECHO. Its flagship event, Tri for a Cure, has raised nearly $20 million cumulatively to support these statewide programs.

Product overview

Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) is a nonprofit organization leading a statewide effort to reduce the impact of cancer in Maine. The foundation operates as a grant-making organization that invests 100% of donations in cancer-fighting programs across the state. MCF's portfolio consists of cancer screening grants (supporting mobile mammography, patient navigation, and provider education), cancer prevention programs (smoking cessation, healthy lifestyles), and access to care initiatives (transportation support, treatment availability). The foundation also runs signature fundraising events including Tri for a Cure, Mary's Walk, and Twilight 5K, and supports awareness campaigns like CheckME. The foundation serves as a hub for Maine's cancer community through Maine's Impact Cancer Network and educational programs like Project ECHO.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tri for a Cure Annual fundraising triathlon combining swimming, cycling, and running to raise funds for cancer programs in Maine. The signature event has raised nearly $20 million since inception and engages participants, sponsors, and volunteers statewide.
• Mary's Walk and Kerrymen 5K Annual walk and 5K event held in Saco, Maine to raise funds for cancer patients and programs statewide.
• Twilight 5K Annual evening running event supporting Maine Cancer Foundation's statewide fundraising mission.
• Cancer Screening Grants Program Competitive grantmaking program providing funds to Maine healthcare organizations to expand access to cancer screenings including mobile mammography, patient navigation, and provider education initiatives.
• Cancer Prevention Programs Grant-funded statewide prevention efforts focusing on smoking cessation, healthy lifestyles, and preventative care to reduce cancer occurrence across Maine.
• Access to Care Initiatives Grant-funded programs improving availability of cancer treatments and reducing barriers to care for all Mainers regardless of income or geography, including transportation support programs.
• CheckME Campaign Cancer screening awareness campaign providing resources and education on recommended screening guidelines for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer.
• Maine's Impact Cancer Network Statewide network serving as a hub for Maine's cancer community, connecting organizations and resources to reduce the impact of cancer across the state.
• Project ECHO Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) tele-education program connecting cancer care providers statewide for case-based learning and best practice sharing.
• Community Fundraising Support Resources and support program for community members who want to organize their own fundraising events benefiting Maine Cancer Foundation, ranging from bake sales to large athletic events.
• Maine Cancer Blueprint Strategic resource document outlining Maine Cancer Foundation's approach and priorities for reducing the impact of cancer statewide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of donations invested in Maine communities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Town & Country Federal Credit UnionminorOthers · 1 January 2025Corporate partner for CheckME campaign, partnering to encourage Mainers to get cancer screenings.
• Maine Mobile Health ProgramcoreOthers · 1 January 2024The state’s only farmworker health organization, providing culturally appropriate transportation for cancer screenings to Maine’s seasonal and migrant agricultural workers and seafood processors. Received $50,000 grant in 2024.
• Aroostook Regional Transportation SystemcoreOthers · 1 January 2024Non-profit transportation provider serving Aroostook County, Patten region in Penobscot County, and Danforth region in Washington County. Provides transportation and mileage reimbursement for cancer patients. Received $60,000 grant in 2024.
• Penobscot Community Health CarecoreOthers · 1 January 2024Multiple grants awarded for cancer screening improvement programs including breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening initiatives. Received grants totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars over multiple years.
• Northern Light CA Dean HospitalcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Partner for Piscataquis County Mobile Mammography Project, helping establish Women’s Health Navigator role and supporting the mobile mammography unit. Received $80,000 grant in 2023.
• Northern Light Mayo HospitalcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Partner for Piscataquis County Mobile Mammography Project. Received $80,000 grant in 2023.
• Northern Light Sebasticook Valley HospitalcoreOthers · 1 January 2023An Outreach, Education, and Navigation Program to Increase Breast Cancer Screening Rates. Received $80,000 grant in 2023.
• Maine Medical CentercoreOthers · 1 January 2023Enhanced Melanoma Screening in Rural Primary Care. Received $80,000 grant in 2023.
• St. Joseph HospitalcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Community Care Partnership of Maine - Pre-Visit Planning Colorectal Cancer Screening. Received $80,000 grant in 2023.
• Sticker MuleminorOthers · 1 January 2022Corporate sponsor donating Tri for a Cure logo stickers. Donated 2,500 stickers for promotional efforts in 2022, increased from 500 stickers in previous year.
• Cancer Resource Center of Western MainecoreOthers · 1 January 2018Since 2018, CRC of WM has been an important partner receiving $155,000 through 7 grants for transportation & lodging support for cancer patients, COVID-19 resources, and general operating support. They serve Oxford, Androscoggin, and northern Cumberland counties.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): Disease-specific cancer nonprofit combining research grants, patient services, and advocacy. Comparable grantmaking-plus-patient-services model, though focused on pancreatic cancer and operating nationally.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: The largest national cancer-focused nonprofit funding research, prevention, and patient support. Operates broadly across all cancer types and geographies, including significant activity in Maine, making it a broad incumbent peer to MCF's statewide cancer mission.

Direct peers

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Cancer-focused grantmaking foundation that funds research and programs nationwide. Directly comparable to MCF as a disease-specific grantmaking organization, though operating at a national scale rather than state-level.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Disease-specific cancer nonprofit funding research and patient access programs with signature event-driven fundraising (e.g., Light The Night). Comparable business model of cancer-cause grantmaking plus large signature events.
• Prevent Cancer Foundation: National nonprofit funding cancer prevention and early detection research and community programs. Directly comparable to MCF's prevention and screening focus, though operating nationally with a research-grant orientation.
• Livestrong Foundation: Cancer-focused nonprofit supporting patient navigation and access-to-care programs, directly overlapping MCF's patient-support and access-to-care grantmaking focus.
• Susan G. Komen: Major breast cancer-focused nonprofit combining research funding, community grants, and signature fundraising events (Race for the Cure). Comparable to MCF in its mix of grantmaking, signature events, and disease-specific mission, though focused only on breast cancer.

Regional players

• Maine Community Foundation: Statewide community foundation serving Maine with grantmaking across health, education, and community priorities. Comparable as a Maine-based grantmaking organization and potential collaborator or competitor for Maine donors, though not cancer-specific.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/maine_cancer
• Facebookfacebook.com/MaineCancerFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mainecancerfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/maine_cancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments4 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Maine Cancer Foundation