The Cancer Council Act

What The Cancer Council Act does

Cancer Council ACT is an Australian non-government, not-for-profit community organization headquartered in Deakin, Australian Capital Territory, founded in 1968 with a staff of 11-50 employees. The organization delivers cancer-related information, patient and carer support services, prevention programs, advocacy, and local research funding to residents of the ACT and surrounding Southeast NSW. Its service portfolio spans helpline support (13 11 20), free counselling, wig services, a carer support program, the ENHANCE Wellbeing wellness initiative, and a podcast series; prevention programs include SunSmart, tobacco and e-cigarette cessation, healthy lifestyle education, and VAPE Support tailored to schools, sports, and community services.

Cancer Council ACT funds annual competitive cancer research grants awarded to investigators at Australian National University, University of Canberra, and The Canberra Hospital, with cumulative contributions exceeding AUD 2.7 million since 2003. The organization is a member of the federally structured Cancer Council Federation alongside peer state/territory bodies, and holds international memberships in UICC and the International Non-Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco. Operating infrastructure runs on a Salesforce-based donation platform, a website at actcancer.org, and the Cancer Council Shop e-commerce channel.

All services are provided free of charge to the community, with revenue derived from donations, bequests, workplace giving, retail merchandise, and signature community fundraising events including Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, and Relay For Life. Funds raised in the ACT are retained locally. Cancer Council ACT is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ABN 33 113 296 601) and joined the Reconciliation Action Plan program in 2021.

Name

The Cancer Council Act

Legal name

Cancer Council ACT

Website

https://actcancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Council ACT is an Australian Capital Territory non-profit, founded in 1968, that provides cancer information, patient support, prevention programs, advocacy, and local research funding to ACT residents. It is a federated member of Cancer Council Australia and funds annual competitive cancer research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Cancer Support and Prevention Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Community health charity
• Cancer prevention programs
• Cancer research grants
• Charitable fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Deakin

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through various channels including direct donations via their website, major fundraising events like Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, and Relay for Life. All funds raised in the ACT stay in the ACT.
2. Bequests and Wills: Legacy giving program where supporters leave gifts in their wills to support ongoing cancer research and services.
3. Workplace Giving: Corporate workplace giving program allowing employees to make regular donations through payroll.
4. Shop Sales: Sale of merchandise through their online shop at cancercouncilact.my.salesforce-sites.com and Cancer Council Shop.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cancer Council ACT is a registered non-profit charity that delivers free cancer information, support services, prevention programs and community fundraising across the Australian Capital Territory. Its core offerings include a telephone support helpline (13 11 20), counselling, wig and carer support programs, the ENHANCE Wellbeing wellness program, SunSmart and tobacco/vaping prevention education, early detection and screening resources, and annual competitive cancer research grants. Funding is raised through direct donations, bequests, workplace giving and signature community events such as Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, and Relay For Life, with all funds raised retained locally for ACT impact.

Product overview

Cancer Council ACT operates as a non-profit community organization offering a diverse portfolio of cancer-related services organized into five main areas: information resources (cancer types, treatment, living with cancer), support services (counselling, wig services, carer support, ENHANCE Wellbeing wellness program, and the 13 11 20 helpline), prevention programs (SunSmart, VAPE Support, tobacco cessation, healthy lifestyle, screening), research funding through annual grants program, and fundraising events (Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Relay For Life, Daffodil Day). Additional offerings include a podcast series and airport accessibility training. The organization funds local cancer research through competitive grants to ACT-based researchers and maintains a Cancer Services Directory for community referrals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cancer Council 13 11 20 Telephone support line providing cancer information, emotional support, and referrals for people affected by cancer in the ACT.
• ENHANCE Wellbeing Wellness program offering exercise, nutrition, and psychological support services for people affected by cancer.
• Cancer Counselling Service Free counselling service providing emotional and psychological support to cancer patients, families, and carers.
• Cancer Carer Support Program Program supporting carers of cancer patients with resources, information, and support services.
• Wig Service Service providing wigs and headwear for cancer patients experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment.
• Cancer Types Resources Comprehensive information resources covering various cancer types and related topics for patients and families.
• Cancer Treatment Resources Resources and information about cancer treatment options, procedures, and managing treatment side effects for patients and families.
• Living with Cancer Resources Resources supporting people living with cancer with practical, emotional, and lifestyle information.
• VAPE Support Program Program helping schools, sports organisations, and community services address vaping among young people and participants through education, resources, and tailored support.
• SunSmart Program promoting sun safety and skin cancer prevention through sunscreen use and UV protection education.
• Tobacco and E-cigarettes Program Resources and support programs to help people quit tobacco and e-cigarettes.
• Healthy Lifestyle Program Program promoting healthy lifestyle choices to reduce cancer risk, including diet, exercise, and weight management.
• Early Detection and Screening Programs and resources promoting early detection of cancer through screening for bowel, breast, and cervical cancer.
• Cancer Research Grants Annual competitive grant program funding local cancer research in the ACT, with grants awarded to researchers at Australian National University, University of Canberra, and The Canberra Hospital.
• Let's Chat Cancer Podcast Podcast series featuring conversations about cancer-related topics, personal stories, and support information.
• Daffodil Day Annual national fundraising event raising awareness and funds for cancer research, with local ACT participation.
• Australia's Biggest Morning Tea Major annual national fundraising event involving community morning tea gatherings to raise funds for cancer research, support, and prevention.
• Relay For Life Annual community event bringing together cancer survivors, families, and supporters to celebrate, remember loved ones, and raise funds for cancer research and support.
• Airport Security Training Program Security training program developed with Canberra Airport to educate airport staff about breast prostheses and improve the security-screening experience for cancer survivors travelling through airport security.
• Cancer Council Shop Online merchandise shop selling Cancer Council branded products, with proceeds supporting cancer research, support, and prevention programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2.7 million contributed to local cancer research since 2003

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Canberra AirportminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2022Delivered first-of-its-kind training with Canberra Airport on breast prostheses and security screening processes. Training designed to improve experiences of cancer survivors when travelling through airport security.
• Cancer Council FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Cancer Council Federation alongside other member organisations in each Australian state and territory. Enables national expertise sharing while maintaining local ACT focus.
• Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cancer control organization membership providing global network and resources for cancer advocacy and research.
• International Non-Governmental Coalition Against TobaccocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on tobacco control and anti-smoking initiatives at international level.
• Fundraising Institute of AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body membership demonstrating commitment to ethical fundraising standards and practices.
• The Australian National University (ANU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research partner hosting multiple grant recipients. Supports Pathology Prize for Year Four medical students and various cancer research projects.
• University of CanberracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner hosting cancer research projects including physical activity intervention studies during chemotherapy care.
• The Canberra HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical research partner for cancer studies including stem cell engraftment research and clinical trials programs.
• Breast Care at Calvary HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop breast prosthesis training for airport security staff, working with breast care nurse Karen McKinnon.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cancer Council NT: Federation peer serving the Northern Territory with cancer information, support, prevention and community fundraising. Comparable small-jurisdiction operating profile.
• Cancer Council Tasmania: Small-state federation peer in Tasmania offering cancer information, support, prevention and research grants. Most comparable in scale (population, employee headcount) to Cancer Council ACT.
• Cancer Council Queensland: Federation peer offering cancer support, accommodation, prevention and research funding in Queensland. Comparable community-based non-profit cancer model with similar event-driven fundraising.
• Cancer Council Victoria: Federation peer delivering cancer support, prevention (e.g., SunSmart, Quit Victoria) and research funding in Victoria. Closely comparable mission, service mix, and funding mechanisms to Cancer Council ACT.
• Cancer Council SA: Federation peer delivering cancer support, prevention, and research funding in South Australia. Operates an analogous mix of helplines, accommodation, retail, and community fundraising.
• Cancer Council WA: Federation peer providing cancer information, support services, prevention programs, and research grants across Western Australia. Directly comparable in structure, mission, and revenue model.
• Cancer Council NSW: Largest state member of the Cancer Council Federation offering the same portfolio of cancer information, support, prevention, advocacy, and research funding. Directly comparable operating model with Cancer Council ACT but at much larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Australia's leading breast cancer research fundraiser. Operates a national research-grant program and donor base that overlaps with Cancer Council ACT's ACT breast cancer screening and prosthesis training work.
• Leukaemia Foundation: National Australian disease-specific cancer charity offering blood cancer support services, accommodation, research funding, and community fundraising. Competes for the same ACT donor pool with a narrower disease focus.

Emerging players

• McGrath Foundation: Australian non-profit funding breast care nurses and breast cancer support nationally. Comparable disease-specific community fundraising model with overlap in breast cancer support services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cancercouncilact
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-council-act
• Instagraminstagram.com/cancercouncil_act

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 The Cancer Council Act