Dynami Foundation

What Dynami Foundation does

Dynami Foundation is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research and awareness for invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC), a historically underfunded breast cancer subtype. Founded in 2016, the foundation operates with a small core team of four members and runs two primary event series — the flagship "Uncork" fundraising event and the newer "Climb" event — which together have generated annual gross receipts in the $625,000–$809,000 range and cumulative fundraising approaching $3 million since inception. Its operations are concentrated in southeast Michigan (Ann Arbor, Detroit), with recent geographic expansion into Traverse City.

The foundation's core products are research grants and advocacy programs rather than commercial goods or services. Notable programs include a $250,000 commitment to the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance Research Collaboration (LARC) and a $50,000 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award, both directed at accelerating ILC-specific research. Its platform is a community of ILC patients, survivors, researchers, and donors convened around its events and grantmaking. The business model is donation- and event-driven: revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsorships, individual giving, and partnerships, which are then deployed as grants to academic and clinical research institutions. Customer segments are Michigan-resident donors, event attendees and sponsors, with the implicit "end beneficiary" being the ILC research and patient community.

Name

Dynami Foundation

Legal name

The Dynami Foundation

Website

https://dynamifoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dynami Foundation is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds research and raises awareness for invasive lobular breast cancer through its Uncork and Climb events and direct research grants to academic institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Breast Cancer Research Foundation

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

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 & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Cancer research funding
• Breast cancer research
• Patient financial assistance
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Survivorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event-based fundraising: Annual signature events including Uncork for a Cure (Detroit area) and Uncork Up North (Traverse City) featuring culinary experiences, wine tastings, and auctions. Events have raised $625k (2025), $809k (2024), $650k (2023), $757k (2022), $603k (2021), $170k (2020), $340k (2019), $260k (2018), $170k (2017), $65k (2016).
2. Individual donations: Direct donations through website with preset amounts ($10, $20, $30, $40) and custom amounts. One-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual donation options available.
3. Corporate sponsorship: Multi-tiered corporate sponsorship program with Premier, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Patron levels. Sponsors include pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, and local businesses.
4. Merchandise sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including hats ($45), crew necks ($55-$58), t-shirts ($28), tank tops ($28), and tote bags ($22). Proceeds support lobular breast cancer research.
5. Memorial funds: Named memorial funds such as Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund and Leigh Pate Memorial Lectureship that accept donations in honor of deceased individuals.
6. Grant programs: Administered grants to cancer research institutions including Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award ($50,000) and direct research funding to universities and cancer centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Dynami Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and grants funds for invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) research and provides direct financial assistance to breast cancer patients. Its core activities are annual culinary and wine fundraising events (Uncork for a Cure in the Detroit area and Uncork Up North in Traverse City), supplemented by multi-tier corporate sponsorships, individual donations, memorial giving, and branded merchandise sales, with program disbursements to research institutions and patient support services.

Product overview

The Dynami Foundation operates as a non-profit charitable organization focused on advancing research, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer with particular emphasis on invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC). The organization's portfolio consists of its flagship fundraising events — Uncork for a Cure and Uncork Up North — which combine culinary and wine experiences to raise funds, supplemented by grant programs including the Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund (financial assistance for patients), Leigh Pate Memorial Lectureship (research education), the Lobular American Research Consortium (national research collaboration), and the Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award (early-career research support). The Foundation also operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Uncork for a Cure: Annual flagship fundraising event featuring Detroit's celebrated chefs and wine program led by Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, raising funds for invasive lobular breast cancer research
• Uncork Up North
• Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund
• Leigh Pate Memorial Lectureship

Products and services

• Uncork for a Cure
• Uncork Up North
• Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund
• Leigh Pate Memorial Lectureship
• Conquer Cancer – Dynami Foundation Young Investigator Award
• Dynami Foundation Store

Quantifiable outcome

• Launched the first national scientific consortium (LARC) dedicated exclusively to ILC with $250,000 seed funding
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

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 core and minor.

• Conquer Cancer, the ASCO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to fund the Conquer Cancer - Dynami Foundation Young Investigator Award ($50,000) for research focused on improving long-term outcomes and treatment personalization for patients diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer. Awarded to Dr. Shoshana Rosenzweig of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
• Lobular American Research Consortium (LARC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Dynami Foundation provided $250,000 in catalytic seed funding as founding philanthropic partner to launch the first coordinated national scientific consortium dedicated exclusively to invasive lobular breast cancer. LARC brings together leading physicians, scientists, and academic cancer centers across the US and Canada.
• Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance (LBCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-founded by Flora Migyanka in 2017 alongside Leigh Pate. Alliance elevates awareness of lobular breast cancer and advocates for greater scientific investment. Founder serves on LBCA Patient Advocate Advisory Board.
• University of Michigan Rogel Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research funding recipient for invasive lobular breast cancer research. Partnership includes funding for circulating tumor cell studies, estrogen receptor research, dormancy mechanisms, and survivorship programs. The foundation presented $400,000 in 2022 (from 2021 Uncork for a Cure proceeds) to support ongoing research initiatives.
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner studying mixed ductal-lobular carcinoma, E-cadherin inactivation mechanisms, and collaborative projects with University of Michigan. Includes researchers Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D. and Peter Lucas, M.D., Ph.D.
• University of Colorado Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for studies on estrogen receptor activity in invasive lobular carcinoma and anti-estrogen response/resistance. Led by Matthew J. Sikora, Ph.D.
• Karmanos Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch funding recipient for recurrence score studies in invasive lobular carcinoma and patient support programs. Presented grants alongside founder Flora Migyanka for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
• Munson Healthcare Cowell Family Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of $57,000 grant (2025) and $50,000 grant (2024) from Uncork Up North event proceeds. Funds provide direct grants to women in Northern Michigan for transportation, childcare, groceries, rent, and utilities during breast cancer treatment.
• Trattoria StellaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLed by Advanced Sommelier Amanda Danielson, provides wine curation and sommelier services for Uncork Up North events in Traverse City.
• Madeline Triffon (Master Sommelier)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst woman Master Sommelier in the United States, co-founded Uncork for a Cure with founder Flora Migyanka in 2016. Provides wine program leadership and industry connections for events. Also wine buyer for Plum Market.
• Various Detroit-area restaurants and wineriesminorGTM or Marketing Partner15+ restaurant partners and numerous wineries participate in Uncork for a Cure events including Grey Ghost Detroit, SheWolf Pastificio, Mabel Gray, and others.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UncorkforaCure

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Dynami Foundation