Glioblastoma Research Organization

What Glioblastoma Research Organization does

The Glioblastoma Research Organization (GBMRO) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a secondary office in New York City (EIN 83-2388861). The organization does not conduct medical research itself; instead, it raises and deploys charitable funds to support glioblastoma-specific research at leading cancer centers in the United States and Europe. To date, GBMRO reports having raised more than $5,000,000 cumulatively and disbursed over $860,000 across seventeen fully funded research projects at institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Cleveland Clinic, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (University of Miami), Cedars-Sinai, the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Children's National Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health), Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, and the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

GBMRO's operations span a digital fundraising platform (gbmresearch.org and fundraise.gbmresearch.org), an e-commerce merchandise store, the recurring Glioblastoma Summit Series held in Miami, Houston, New York City, and Washington DC, and the "Warrior Wednesday" patient-storytelling franchise. Revenue is generated through three streams: individual donations and memorial giving, branded merchandise sales (including a premium co-branded collection with PANGAIA under which 100% of proceeds support GBMRO), and ticketed community fundraising events. The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with grassroots peer-to-peer fundraising supplemented by social media storytelling and partnerships with host venues (Atria Health & Research Institute, Levit Green, Children's National Hospital) and brand collaborators (PANGAIA, Ideal Nutrition). GBMRO also participates in the Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative (BTFC), a multi-funder initiative issuing joint two-year, $500,000 research grants.

The customer base consists of two distinct cohorts: (i) glioblastoma patients, caregivers, and their broader support networks — the source of donations, memorial contributions, and merchandise purchases; and (ii) a curated network of clinicians and cancer centers — the recipients of grant funding and research collaboration, not paying customers. The organization holds GuideStar Platinum Transparency status (2025) and operates with a very small team (1-10 employees), suggesting a lean, high-leverage model dependent on community mobilization and partner infrastructure rather than internal headcount.

Name

Glioblastoma Research Organization

Legal name

The Glioblastoma Research Organization

Website

https://gbmresearch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Glioblastoma Research Organization is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 that funds glioblastoma-specific research at leading U.S. and European cancer centers, supports patients and caregivers through summits and community programs, and raises revenue primarily through donations, memorial giving, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Medical Research Funding

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Glioblastoma research funding
• Brain cancer nonprofit
• Cancer research grants
• Patient caregiver support
• Medical research donations

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Others, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors contributing to fund glioblastoma research. Memorial donations directed to the organization upon passing of GBM patients.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and specialty items. All profit from merchandise sales goes toward research funding. Partnership with PANGAIA for premium sweatsuits with 100% of proceeds supporting GBMRO.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue from community events including summits, marathons, and fundraising initiatives. Ticket sales for Glioblastoma Summit events and percentage nights at partner venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GBMRO funds glioblastoma-specific research at leading cancer centers worldwide, supporting 17 fully funded projects with over $860,000 in grants since 2018. It raises this money through individual donations, branded merchandise sales (apparel and accessories), ticket sales to the Glioblastoma Summit Series events, and peer-to-peer fundraisers. The organization also runs patient and caregiver community programs, including the Warrior Wednesday storytelling initiative and international summit gatherings, while itself conducting no laboratory or clinical research.

Product overview

The Glioblastoma Research Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates primarily as a fundraising and awareness organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include a digital platform for information and donations (gbmresearch.org), an e-commerce merchandise store (GBMRO Shop) selling apparel and accessories including branded items and the PANGAIA co-designed collection, the Glioblastoma Summit Series of in-person community events, Warrior Wednesday storytelling initiative, and a peer-to-peer fundraising platform. The organization funds seventeen research projects at leading cancer centers worldwide. The merchandise shop and fundraising platform serve as the primary revenue-generating product lines, while events and community initiatives drive engagement and awareness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GBMRO Shop (Merchandise Store)
• Research Funding Projects A grant program providing research funding to doctors and investigators at top cancer centers for glioblastoma-specific research projects, including Project Build On (metabolic targeting at MD Anderson), Project Rocket (sonolucent cranial implants at Lenox Hill), Project Kenny (implantable Tumor Treating Fields device at Cedars-Sinai), MAP-Glioma (spatial biology), Project Lincoln, RNA-targeting therapies, wearable-based ketogenic diet monitoring at Sylvester, and BTFC liquid biopsy RFP projects. Intended for neuro-oncology researchers and clinician-investigators.
• Glioblastoma Summit Series A series of ticketed one-day in-person summits priced at $50 per event, convening the glioblastoma community in cities including Miami, Houston, NYC, and Washington DC, with hosted venues such as Atria Health & Research Institute, Levit Green, and Children's National Hospital. Targeted at glioblastoma patients, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, and advocates.
• Fundraising Platform (fundraise.gbmresearch.org) A digital peer-to-peer fundraising platform allowing community members to create and host personal campaigns for birthdays, athletic events, and memorials honoring glioblastoma warriors, with proceeds supporting glioblastoma research. Designed for individual supporters, family members, and grassroots fundraisers.
• GBMRO x PANGAIA Collection A premium co-branded apparel collection with PANGAIA featuring a custom navy sweatsuit made from organic cotton (GBMRO Hoodie at $185 and GBMRO Sweatpants at $155), with 100% of proceeds going directly to glioblastoma research. Targeted at individual supporters seeking purpose-driven premium merchandise.
• Glioblastoma Awareness Day 2026 - The Cure Club Collection An annual themed merchandise collection launched for Glioblastoma Awareness Day 2026 featuring apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, polo shirts, quarter-zip sweatshirts, dad hats, tumblers, and tote bags. Marketed to GBM awareness supporters and event participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $5 million raised for glioblastoma research and awareness
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• PANGAIAflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Co-designed custom navy sweatsuit set with PANGAIA's signature organic cotton. 100% of proceeds from this partnership support GBMRO's mission to fund critical glioblastoma research. Partnership reflects shared belief in purpose-driven design and collective action.
• MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research partner receiving GBMRO funding for innovative glioblastoma treatments including Project Build On (metabolic targeting) and RNA-targeting therapies. MD Anderson researchers presented at the Glioblastoma Summit on novel therapeutics.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop cancer center partner receiving support for glioblastoma research initiatives and represented in GBMRO research network.
• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner supported through GBMRO funding for glioblastoma research including novel metabolic targets studies presented at the Glioblastoma Summit.
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (University of Miami)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for ketogenic diet adherence monitoring study using wearable technology, led by Drs. Ruham Nasany and Michael Ivan.
• Children's National Hospital, Washington D.C.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric research partner providing expertise and hosting Glioblastoma Summit Series: Washington DC at their facility.
• Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Project Rocket research on ultrasound markers using sonolucent cranial implants, led by Dr. Randy S. D'Amico. Hosts educational sessions on surgical decision making.
• The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (Duke)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner presenting on real world data for brain tumor surveillance and clinical trials at GBMRO events.
• Cedars-Sinai Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for next-generation GBM treatments including implantable Tumor Treating Fields device research led by Dr. Shane Shahrestani.
• Children's Hospital Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric research partner in GBMRO network supporting research for brain tumors affecting children.
• Bambino Gesù Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research partner presenting on pediatric gliomas at the Glioblastoma Summit alongside MD Anderson researchers.
• Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek (Netherlands Cancer Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean cancer research center partner in GBMRO's international research network.
• The Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative (BTFC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative of brain tumor funding organizations announcing joint RFP for two-year, $500,000 research grants for multi-institutional research on liquid biopsy for primary brain tumors.
• Ideal NutritionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting groundbreaking ketogenic nutrition research study at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for glioblastoma patients.
• Atria Health & Research InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Glioblastoma Summit Series: New York City, bringing together patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians for education and networking.
• Levit GreencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Glioblastoma Summit Series: Houston, supporting the one-day gathering of the GBM community.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research: Smaller, patient-driven nonprofit focused specifically on brain tumor research and clinical trial navigation. Closely comparable in scope to GBMRO, though older and more focused on clinical trial awareness.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Focused on pediatric brain tumors, with research funding and family support programs. Comparable disease-specific funding model with overlap in pediatric research partners such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Children's National.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Funds childhood cancer research and provides family support. Comparable as a disease-focused research funder running summits and grassroots fundraising campaigns, though broader than GBM/glioblastoma alone.
• National Brain Tumor Society: Largest U.S. nonprofit specifically dedicated to brain tumor research and patient support. Directly comparable to GBMRO as a disease-specific research funder with community advocacy and policy work.
• American Brain Tumor Association: The oldest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to brain tumor research and patient services. Competes with GBMRO for the same disease-specific donor base and research grant funding.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Research Institute: Nonprofit funding immunology and immuno-oncology research across cancer types, including GBM. Comparable as a research-funding nonprofit leveraging scientific advisory boards to direct grants.
• American Cancer Society: The largest U.S. cancer nonprofit, funding research across all cancer types including brain tumors. Competes for general donor mindshare and institutional research partnerships.
• Stand Up To Cancer: High-profile entertainment-industry-backed funder of collaborative cancer research, including Dream Teams focused on brain tumors. Comparable as a high-ambition research funder with broad donor base.
• National Foundation for Cancer Research: Long-established U.S. nonprofit funding cancer research broadly, including some GBM-related work. Comparable as a research-funding nonprofit, though operates at much larger scale across all cancer types.

Emerging players

• Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative: Coalition of philanthropic funders co-funding brain tumor research. Direct partner of GBMRO on the liquid biopsy RFP, and comparable as a co-funder in the GBM research ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/glioblastomaorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/glioblastomaresearch

Compliance2 records

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 Glioblastoma Research Organization