The Huff Project
The Huff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 by Stephen and Emily Huff in Franklin, Tennessee, raising awareness and research funds for lung cancer through annual events, corporate sponsorships, donations, and a Tennessee specialty license plate program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersFranklin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Huff Project does
The Huff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 2018 and headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee. It was established by Stephen Huff — a former professional baseball player in the Chicago White Sox organization diagnosed at age 29 with inoperable stage four lung cancer despite never smoking — and his wife Emily Huff, with the stated mission of raising awareness and research funds for lung cancer and countering the stigma that the disease only affects smokers. The organization serves lung cancer patients and survivors, general public donors, corporate sponsors, and Tennessee residents, and operates with a volunteer board of directors (Matt Huff, Mike Acker, Caleb See as Treasurer, Megan Huff as Secretary, Robbie Goldsmith, Donny Williams) alongside the two co-founders.
The organization's "product portfolio" consists of event-driven fundraising programs rather than technology products. Core offerings include the annual Chip-In' For Lung Cancer Golf Scramble (held at Franklin Bridge Golf Course), Songwriter Night (country music showcase), the Anywhere 5K (virtual run launched in 2022), and the Tennessee lung cancer awareness specialty license plate program (statutorily authorized in March 2018). Donation intake occurs through one-time, recurring (Donorbox-integrated), and honor/memory giving channels. There are no proprietary software, mobile apps, APIs, or AI/ML components; technology footprint is limited to the website (www.thehuffproject.org), Donorbox payment integration, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual donations, event tickets ($125 individual, $500 foursome), tiered corporate sponsorships ($750 Team to $10,000 Presenting Sponsor), and Tennessee specialty license plate proceeds ($35 from each annual renewal supporting the mission, with free plates for survivors). Cumulatively the organization has raised over $300,000 since inception through 2022, including a $25,000 grant to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in January 2019 funding blood-test diagnostic research led by Stephen Deppen, Ph.D., and Eric Grogan, MD, MPH — a seed grant that has evolved into clinical trials. Go-to-market is community- and event-led, relying heavily on the founder's personal story for earned media across outlets including Men's Health, Reader's Digest, WZTV FOX 17 Nashville, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center Reporter.
The Huff Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Huff Project
- Legal name
- The Huff Project
- Website
- https://thehuffproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Huff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 by Stephen and Emily Huff in Franklin, Tennessee, raising awareness and research funds for lung cancer through annual events, corporate sponsorships, donations, and a Tennessee specialty license plate program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Huff Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Cancer Research Fundraising
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- 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
Where The Huff Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Franklin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Huff Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: The organization accepts one-time donations, recurring donations, and honor/memory donations from supporters. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
- Event Tickets: Revenue generated from ticket sales to fundraising events including the Chip-In' For Lung Cancer Golf Scramble and other events. Individual tickets are $125 and foursome team tickets are $500.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for the annual golf tournament with various tiers ranging from $750 (Team Sponsor) to $10,000 (Presenting Sponsor), offering brand visibility and recognition at the event.
- TN License Plate Program: Proceeds from Tennessee lung cancer awareness specialty license plate sales benefit lung cancer research. The plate costs $35 to reserve plus $26.50 balance upon pickup, with $35 from each annual renewal supporting the mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual golf tournament ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Four-person team golf tournament entry |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Team sponsorship tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hole sponsorship tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Putting contest sponsorship - sold out |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Food sponsorship tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Awards ceremony sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Presenting sponsorship - top tier |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | TN License Plate reservation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Huff Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Huff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that raises awareness and research funds for lung cancer through annual fundraising events (Chip-In' For Lung Cancer Golf Scramble, Songwriter Night, Anywhere 5K), individual and corporate donation programs, and a Tennessee lung cancer awareness specialty license plate initiative. It funds lung cancer research including early detection diagnostics, vaccines, and educational tools, with several seed grants having evolved into clinical trials.
Product overview
The Huff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a single unified charitable platform offering multiple fundraising programs. The core portfolio includes three flagship fundraising initiatives launched in 2018: the Chip-In' For Lung Cancer Golf Scramble (an annual golf tournament), Songwriter Night (music fundraising event), and the TN Lung Cancer License Plate initiative. Additional programs include the Anywhere 5K virtual run. The organization facilitates donations through three mechanisms: One-Time Donation, Recurring Donation (via Donorbox), and Donation In Honor/Memory. For the annual golf tournament, it offers sponsorship packages (Team, Hole, Putting Contest, Food, Awards, Presenting tiers ranging $750-$10,000) and ticket sales (Individual $125, Foursome $500).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chip-In' For Lung Cancer Golf Scramble Annual golf tournament fundraising event featuring sponsorship opportunities, team and individual registration, and competitive formats including a putting contest. Raises funds for lung cancer research and awareness.
- Songwriter Night Annual fundraising event featuring country music songwriters performing original songs to support lung cancer research and awareness.
- TN Lung Cancer License Plate Program Tennessee specialty license plate initiative to raise lung cancer awareness. Requires 1,000 pre-orders at $35 each, with proceeds supporting lung cancer research. Plates cost $35 to reserve plus $26.50 balance upon pickup; $35 from each annual renewal supports research. Lung cancer survivors receive free plates.
- Anywhere 5K Virtual 5K fundraising event held anywhere by participants to support lung cancer research. Raised over $16,000 in its inaugural 2022 event.
- One-Time Donation Single donation option allowing supporters to contribute any amount to fund lung cancer research and awareness initiatives. Tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
- Recurring Donation Recurring donation program enabling supporters to become stakeholders through regular, ongoing contributions to the organization's mission. Processed via Donorbox.
- Donation In Honor/Memory Tribute donation option allowing supporters to make gifts in honor or memory of loved ones affected by lung cancer, with amounts ranging from $5 to $500.
- Golf Tournament Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship opportunities for the annual golf tournament including Team Sponsor ($750), Hole Sponsor ($1,000), Putting Contest Sponsor ($1,500), Food Sponsor ($2,500), Awards Sponsor ($5,000), and Presenting Sponsor ($10,000), each with varying levels of branding visibility and event benefits.
Quantifiable outcome
- Raised over $300,000 since 2018, with several seed grants evolving into clinical trials
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Huff Project
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Huff Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
The Huff Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer CentercoreThe Huff Project gifted $25,000 to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in January 2019 to fund an investigation led by Stephen Deppen, Ph.D. and Eric Grogan, MD, MPH. The research aims to verify whether two blood tests can determine if a suspicious nodule requires a biopsy, advancing non-invasive lung cancer diagnostics. Several of The Huff Project's seed grants have since evolved into clinical trials.
- Austin Peay State University AthleticsminorAustin Peay State University baseball team partnered with alumnus Stephen Huff to host Lung Cancer Awareness Day during an April 2018 OVC contest against UT Martin, helping raise awareness for lung cancer.
- American Lung AssociationminorThe Huff Project participates in the Lung Force Walk in Nashville, TN, where Stephen Huff shares his story and walks with fellow survivors to make lasting connections.
- Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer FoundationminorStephen Huff attended the 1st Annual Your Next Step is the Cure Memphis 5K event hosted by the Addario Lung Cancer Foundation to celebrate progress in lung cancer research and raise awareness.
- PRA Health SciencesminorStephen Huff was interviewed by PRA Health Sciences for their Wavelength podcast during Lung Cancer Awareness Month to share his story and what he wants others to know.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Huff Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- American Cancer Society: The largest U.S. cancer nonprofit, funding multi-disease research including lung cancer programs. Broad incumbent because it competes for general-purpose cancer donors and runs its own awareness events and research grants.
- Stand Up To Cancer: High-profile cancer research fundraiser backing multi-institution 'Dream Teams' across cancer types including lung. Broad incumbent because it competes for the same major-donor pool and offers larger collaborative grant vehicles.
- Prevent Cancer Foundation: National nonprofit funding cancer prevention and early-detection research and community outreach. Broad incumbent because it overlaps with Huff Project's early-detection and educational-messaging mission and competes for prevention-focused donors.
- American Lung Association: The largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to lung health, funding research, advocacy, and education across all lung diseases. Broad incumbent because The Huff Project already partners with it on the Lung Force Walk in Nashville and competes with it for the same donor pool.
Direct peers
- GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer: Founded via the merger of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and the Lung Cancer Alliance, GO2 funds research, advocates for patients, and runs awareness events. Direct peer because the Addario Foundation is already an active partner of The Huff Project and the two organizations pursue the same disease-specific funding and awareness mission.
- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation: Disease-specific nonprofit funding research and supporting patients with mesothelioma, a less common thoracic cancer. Direct peer because it operates the same small-grant, disease-specific, awareness-and-research nonprofit model.
- Lung Cancer Research Foundation: Charity focused exclusively on funding lung cancer research grants to investigators worldwide. Direct peer because its mission of converting donor dollars into research grants directly parallels The Huff Project's Vanderbilt-Ingram funding model.
- LUNGevity Foundation: The largest lung cancer-specific nonprofit in the U.S., funding research and providing patient support and education. Direct peer because both organizations raise funds for lung cancer research and awareness, operate patient-support programs, and run community events.
- Chris Draft Family Foundation: Founded by former NFL linebacker Chris Draft after his wife Keasha died of lung cancer, the foundation raises awareness and funds research with an athlete-driven, personal-story-driven model. Direct peer because it uses an almost identical playbook: athlete founder, stigma focus, and small-grant research funding.
Others
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center: NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the recipient of The Huff Project's $25,000 January 2019 research grant. Not a peer fundraiser but the key downstream research partner that translates Huff Project seed grants into clinical trials.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Huff Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Huff Project compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Huff Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Huff Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
The Huff Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Huff Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Huff Project
What does The Huff Project do?
The Huff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that raises awareness and research funds for lung cancer through annual fundraising events (Chip-In' For Lung Cancer Golf Scramble, Songwriter Night, Anywhere 5K), individual and corporate donation programs, and a Tennessee lung cancer awareness specialty license plate initiative. It funds lung cancer research including early detection diagnostics, vaccines, and educational tools, with several seed grants having evolved into clinical trials.
Is The Huff Project a public or private company?
The Huff Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Huff Project founded?
The Huff Project was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Huff Project based?
The Huff Project is headquartered in Franklin, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Huff Project make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are event Tickets, sponsorships and TN License Plate Program.
Who are The Huff Project's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are American Cancer Society, Stand Up To Cancer, Prevent Cancer Foundation and American Lung Association. Direct peers are GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, LUNGevity Foundation and Chris Draft Family Foundation. Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is listed as an others.
Does The Huff Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Huff Project.
What industry is The Huff Project in?
The Huff Project's product category is Nonprofit Cancer Research Fundraising. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813212.