ALLYSON WHITNEY FOUNDATION

What ALLYSON WHITNEY FOUNDATION does

The Allyson Whitney Foundation (AWF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in March 2012 in memory of Allyson Whitney Strong, headquartered in Rock Hill, New York, with a secondary office in Fort Myers, Florida. AWF provides direct financial and support services to young adults aged 16-36 diagnosed with rare cancers, an underserved demographic stranded between pediatric and adult oncology care. Its core programs consist of Life Interrupted Grants (direct cash grants of $500-$1,500 covering medical bills, rent, utilities, insurance premiums, IVF treatments, integrative therapies, travel, and medical hair pieces), HOPE Comfort Bags (physical comfort kits delivered to patients in treatment), Oncofertility Support (in partnership with Golisano Children's Hospital and the Alliance for Fertility Preservation), and Research Grants (including a prior 2014-2021 RNA Project partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center).

AWF's business model is a 100% volunteer-operated donation-funded nonprofit with stated 100% allocation of proceeds to mission programs (85% to Life Interrupted Grants and Research, 10% to HOPE Comfort Bags). Revenue is generated across five streams: individual donations (one-time and recurring "Unlock the Help" subscriptions starting at $16/month), event fundraising (annual Night of a Million Stars Gala raising $75K in 2025, Peace. Love. Run. 5K, Lavender Yoga Bliss yoga events, and charity runner programs for major marathons including the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon with $3,000 minimum fundraising per runner), merchandise sales via the Bonfire storefront, corporate sponsorships (Combined Energy Services, Susan & Joel Lewin Family Fund, BuzzRX, NY Giants, Music Masters, Kartrite, Bethel Woods, Nonnis, among others), and restricted grants for specific programs such as the $50,000 Golisano oncofertility endowment.

Grant distribution is executed through a network of 330+ hospital partners across all 50 US states, with applications facilitated by oncology social workers, physicians, and nurse navigators. To date AWF has awarded 710 Life Interrupted Grants totaling $760,000 and delivered 1,226 HOPE Bags to patients with 110 different cancer diagnoses, crossing $1 million in cumulative giving in 2025. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and operates with no paid staff, supported by DIY peer-to-peer fundraising, partnerships with Connecting Champions (mentorship), Milo's Mission (equine therapy), and Smart Patients (online community), and a marketing presence across website, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, and the "In the Circle" email newsletter.

Name

ALLYSON WHITNEY FOUNDATION

Legal name

Allyson Whitney Foundation

Website

https://allysonwhitney.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Allyson Whitney Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides direct financial grants ($500-$1,500), HOPE Comfort Bags, and oncofertility support to young adults aged 16-36 diagnosed with rare cancers, funded entirely through donations, events, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cancer Support Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding (HLAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Cancer patient grants
• Rare cancer support
• Young adult oncology
• Charitable foundation services
• Nonprofit grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rock Hill

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Program Grants (Life Interrupted Grants, Oncofertility, Research), Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations received through the website, in-memory/in-honor gifts, and general contributions. The foundation is 100% volunteer-based with 100% of proceeds allocated to programs.
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from endurance events including charity runs, marathons, and 5K events. Charity runners raise minimum $3,000 for marathon participation. Individual event registrations and fundraising pages generate revenue.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, joggers, and kid-friendly items through Bonfire storefront. Proceeds support the foundation's mission.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from businesses including Combined Energy Services, Susan and Joel Lewin Family Fund, Buzz RX, Music Masters, and other corporate sponsors who support events and programs.
5. Life Interrupted Grants: Grant awards ranging from $500 to $1,500 provided to young adult cancer patients aged 16-36 for active treatment coverage, medical bills, rent, utilities, insurance premiums, IVF treatments, and travel expenses. Grants funded through donations and fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Allyson Whitney Foundation provides direct financial grants (Life Interrupted Grants of $500–$1,500) to young adults aged 16-36 diagnosed with rare cancers, covering active treatment costs, medical bills, rent, utilities, insurance premiums, IVF treatments, integrative therapies, and travel. Complementary offerings include HOPE Comfort Bags with comfort essentials for patients in treatment, Oncofertility Support for fertility preservation, and Research Grants funding rare cancer research initiatives.

Product overview

The Allyson Whitney Foundation (AWF) is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of support programs for young adults aged 16-36 with rare cancers. The core offerings consist of Life Interrupted Grants (financial assistance of $500-$1,500), HOPE Comfort Bags, Oncofertility Support, and Research Grants. AWF also facilitates fundraising through events including the Peace. Love. Run. 5K, Lavender Yoga Bliss, and Charity Runner Programs. The organization operates a merchandise store via Bonfire and provides resource referrals including equine therapy, fertility preservation, medical transportation, and wellness programs. All programs are delivered through an all-volunteer workforce with 100% of proceeds allocated to mission pursuits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded $760,000 in Life Interrupted Grants to date
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Integration12 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.

• Connecting ChampionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2026Partnership connecting young adult cancer patients with mentors from over 200 career paths to help them explore careers, plan educational goals, and pursue passions. AWF refers patients to this mentorship program which pairs participants aged 8-39 with mentors for 1-2 video meetings per month.
• Lillian Dugan, LCSW (Milo's Mission)supportingOthers · 1 October 2025Licensed clinical social worker providing equine therapy services. Milo’s Mission provides equine-assisted experiences that foster healing, connection, and personal growth for cancer patients.
• Golisano Children's Hospital (Lee Health Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partnership with Golisano Children's Hospital in Fort Myers, FL supporting their AYA Fertility Endowment program. AWF donated $25,000 initially in November 2024 and an additional $25,000, totaling $50,000. The endowment helps young cancer patients preserve fertility options before treatment. To date, nine young patients have been helped through this program.
• Alliance for Fertility PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWF is a proud sponsor of the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, a 501c3 organization focused on advancing fertility preservation for cancer patients. The alliance provides a Fertility Scout Portal to help patients find fertility resources near them.
• MD Anderson Cancer CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the RNA Project (2014-2021) supporting rare cancer research. MD Anderson is one of the largest cancer centers in the world with extensive experience treating rare cancers.
• Lee Health FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Barbara's Friends program supporting cancer care and the oncofertility endowment. Lee Health Foundation supports programs and services of the Lee Health community health system.
• BuzzRXsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBuzzRX provides free prescription discount cards saving up to 80% at 60,000+ pharmacies nationwide. Listed as a resource for AWF grant recipients to reduce medication costs.
• Smart PatientssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline community for patients and families affected by various illnesses where they can learn about conditions, share concerns, and use knowledge in context of their own lives.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Young Survival Coalition: Direct peer — focuses specifically on young adults diagnosed with breast cancer, providing resources, support, and advocacy. Comparable niche-disease-young-adult nonprofit model.
• First Descents: Direct peer — provides outdoor adventure experiences for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Listed by AWF as a resource partner, serving the same AYA demographic with experiential support.
• Ulman Foundation: Direct peer — supports young adults affected by cancer through navigation, scholarships, and community programs. Operates in the same AYA-cancer space with overlapping financial-assistance and community-support offerings.
• Stupid Cancer: Direct peer — a nonprofit specifically focused on the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community, providing resources, advocacy, and support programs for patients aged 15-39. Directly comparable demographic and mission to AWF.
• The Samfund: Direct peer — provides direct financial assistance grants to young adult cancer survivors (typically 21-39) for post-treatment expenses. Closely comparable grant-based model and demographic focus to AWF's Life Interrupted Grants.
• Alliance for Fertility Preservation: Direct partner/peer — a 501(c)(3) advancing fertility preservation for cancer patients, of which AWF is an explicit sponsor. Closely aligned with AWF's oncofertility program and overlapping in the fertility-preservation mission.

Broad incumbents

• CancerCare: Broader incumbent — a national nonprofit providing financial assistance, counseling, and support to cancer patients of all ages. Overlaps with AWF's direct financial-assistance mission but at much larger scale and broader demographic.
• Livestrong Foundation: Broader incumbent — a well-known national cancer-support nonprofit historically focused on survivor navigation and fertility resources. Operates in adjacent AYA and fertility-preservation space with materially larger scale and brand.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Broader incumbent — funds pediatric and AYA cancer research and family support. Overlaps with AWF's research-grant and hospital-partnership model but serves a broader age range and is substantially larger.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Broader incumbent — a large national nonprofit funding blood-cancer research and patient support, including financial assistance. Operates in an adjacent cancer-vertical with overlapping patient-financial-aid programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FAllyson4Rare%2F
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSezxVp4IJtf4kiLdVsKP1g
• Facebookfacebook.com/AllysonWhitneyFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/allyson.whitney.foundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/allyson-whitney-foundation-inc-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ALLYSON WHITNEY FOUNDATION