What Dolphins Cancer Challenge does

Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC), legally Dolphins Cycling Challenge, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2010 and headquartered at 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, Florida, within the Miami Dolphins Foundation umbrella. The organization operates the #1 fundraising event in the National Football League, delivering an annual multi-format participatory fundraising event — cycling routes of 13, 39, 54, and 99 miles named after Dolphins legends (Dan Marino, Larry Csonka, Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor), a 5K run/walk presented by Amazon, and a marathon partnership with the Life Time Miami Marathon. 100% of participant-raised funds are directed to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Health System, the sole NCI-designated cancer center in South Florida. The organization surpassed $100 million in cumulative fundraising for cancer research in 2024 and expects more than 10,000 participants in recent and upcoming event years.

DCC's go-to-market is event-driven and community-led. Individual participants, friends-and-family teams, and corporate teams register through the organization, commit to per-activity fundraising minimums, and solicit donations from personal networks via peer-to-peer fundraising pages. The fundraising platform is delivered by third-party vendor DonorDrive and supports credit card, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and DAFpay (Donor Advised Fund) donation flows. A Team Captain Hub, Strava club, and structured training resources (Unlimited Biking bike rentals, Mack Cycle and Fitness training rides, Primal apparel) round out participant acquisition and retention. Corporate partners sponsor the event at four tiers — Champion, Hero, Challenge, and Supporting — providing both financial sponsorship and in-kind services; named Champions include Lennar Foundation, AutoNation, the Harcourt M & Virginia W Sylvester Foundation, and presenting sponsors Amazon and Guardant Health for specific sub-routes.

Revenue mechanics are typical of an event-anchored nonprofit: gross inflows come from (a) participant-raised peer-to-peer donations, (b) multi-tier corporate sponsorship, and (c) targeted programmatic grants and matching gifts (e.g., V Foundation $5M five-year commitment in 2022, SebastianStrong $1M pediatric research partnership, AutoNation $1M breast cancer research project in 2023, Harris Philanthropies six-figure gift in 2022). All program proceeds pass through to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, with DCC operating on a small staff of 1-10 employees and relying on Board-level Miami Dolphins governance via figures such as Vice Chairman Tom Garfinkel. Customer segments span individual participants, corporate teams, donors, and the single institutional beneficiary (Sylvester), with no pricing in the conventional sense and no equity or debt capital structure.

Name

Dolphins Cancer Challenge

Legal name

Dolphins Cycling Challenge, Inc.

Website

https://dolphinscancerchallenge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dolphins Cancer Challenge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the NFL's largest peer-to-peer fundraising event, channeling 100% of participant-raised funds to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center through cycling, running, walking, and marathon events serving South Florida participants, donors, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research Fundraising Events

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Spectator Sports (71121), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Participation Race Organizers (Runs, Triathlons, Cycling) (MPAKADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK), Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA), Endurance Stage & Destination Challenges (Multi-day Tours, Charity Challenges) (MPAKAIAG)

Keywords

• Cancer research fundraising
• Peer-to-peer fundraising
• Charity cycling events
• Nonprofit event management
• Corporate charity sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami Gardens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Participant-Raised Funds: The primary revenue stream consists of donations raised by individual participants who commit to fundraising minimums. Participants solicit donations from their personal networks through peer-to-peer fundraising pages. 100% of these participant-raised funds are directed to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners sponsor the event at various tier levels (Champion, Hero, Challenge, Supporting), contributing financial support and in-kind donations. Partners receive brand visibility, marketing benefits, and involvement in a high-profile NFL-affiliated charitable event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dolphins Cancer Challenge organizes an annual peer-to-peer fundraising event featuring multiple cycling routes (13, 39, 54, and 99 miles), a 5K run/walk, and a Team DCC Marathon Partnership. Participants register and commit to fundraising minimums, with 100% of participant-raised funds directed to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for cancer research. The event is supported by a multi-tier corporate partnership program (Champion, Hero, Challenge, Supporting partners) and powered by the DonorDrive online fundraising platform.

Product overview

Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) is the NFL's largest peer-to-peer fundraising event, powered by DonorDrive's fundraising platform. The event features multiple participation formats including cycling routes (13, 39, 54, and 99 miles), a 5K run/walk, and a marathon partnership with Life Time. Participants can register individually or join teams through the Captain Hub program. The donation platform supports multiple payment methods including PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and DAFpay. 100% of participant-raised funds support cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• $100 million+ raised for cancer research since 2010
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and supporting.

• SebastianStrongsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2022Partnership established to increase pediatric cancer research at Sylvester. Founded by Oscar Ortiz in honor of his son Sebastian, the organization aims to double every dollar raised toward a $1 million total research investment over four years.
• V Foundation for Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2022Expanded partnership announced with a $5M commitment over five years ($500,000 annually from V Foundation, matched by DCC) to support innovative cancer research focused on disparities at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Lennar FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion Partner supporting DCC. The Lennar Foundation supports the organization as part of its broader charitable giving initiatives in the South Florida community.
• Harcourt M & Virginia W Sylvester FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion Partner providing foundational support for cancer research fundraising initiatives. Named after the founders of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• AutoNationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion Partner with a significant partnership to address breast cancer disparities, funding a $1 million BCRF project at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center focused on social, economic, and environmental factors affecting breast cancer outcomes.
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe exclusive beneficiary of 100% of participant-raised funds. As the only NCI-designated and academic-based cancer center in South Florida, ranked #1 in Florida and #23 nationally, Sylvester uses DCC funds to recruit leading physician-scientists, fund clinical trials, and advance cancer research.
• ABMsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerHero Partner providing support services and sponsorship for the annual DCC event.
• CenterplatesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge Partner supplying food and beverage services for event participants.
• AetnasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge Partner providing healthcare-related sponsorship support.
• LexussecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge Partner and sponsor of the 5K route presented by Amazon.
• PepsisecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge Partner providing beverage sponsorship for event participants.
• PolyglasssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge Partner providing support for the annual event.
• CSA GroupsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge Partner supporting DCC initiatives.
• AmazonsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 5K route at DCC events.
• Guardant HealthsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 54 Mile | Zach Thomas Ride.
• Unlimited BikingsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred bike rental partner providing multiple bike options for participants. Helmets and flat pedals included. Bikes available at start and drop-off at finish.
• PrimalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCustom team apparel partner supporting participants with cycling jerseys, shorts, athletic and cotton tees, and accessories.
• Mack Cycle and FitnesssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner bike shop and host of training rides designed to help participants prepare for their selected cycling distances. Located in South Florida.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pelotonia: Pelotonia is a Columbus, Ohio-based mass participation cycling fundraiser that has directed more than $280M to cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. It is the closest direct peer to DCC: same peer-to-peer fundraising model, cycling-centric event format, single-beneficiary academic cancer center, and reliance on corporate partnerships.
• Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC): PMC is the largest single-charity cycling fundraiser in the U.S., directing 100% of rider-raised funds to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It mirrors DCC's mass-participation cycling format, peer-to-peer fundraising model, single-beneficiary academic cancer center strategy, and multi-route distance structure.
• Cycle for Survival: Cycle for Survival is the national indoor team-cycling fundraiser for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, with 100% of proceeds directed to rare cancer research. It directly parallels DCC's peer-to-peer fundraising model, team-based participation structure, and 100% pass-through to a single leading cancer research institution.
• Jimmy Fund Walk: The Jimmy Fund Walk is a long-running community walking event supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, featuring multiple distance options and a peer-to-peer fundraising model — closely aligned with DCC's walking component and cancer-research beneficiary model.

Broad incumbents

• The V Foundation for Cancer Research: The V Foundation is a major national cancer research grantmaking organization, and an active DCC partner via the $5M matched commitment announced in 2022. It is a broader incumbent in cancer fundraising with overlapping beneficiary communities and overlapping corporate sponsor relationships.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Team In Training): LLS's Team In Training program is a long-established endurance-sports fundraising platform (marathons, cycling, triathlons) for blood cancer research. It is a broader incumbent competing for the same endurance-sports fundraising participants and corporate sponsors as DCC.
• American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society is the largest U.S. cancer-focused nonprofit, operating Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer — community fundraising events with overlapping participant bases, corporate partner pools, and healthcare beneficiary narratives as DCC.
• LIVESTRONG: LIVESTRONG is a nationally recognized cancer survivorship and fundraising organization. While its primary fundraising vehicle is different (direct donations rather than mass-participation sport), it competes for the same cancer-cause donor and corporate CSR dollars as DCC.
• Susan G. Komen: Susan G. Komen is the largest breast cancer-focused nonprofit, operating signature fundraising walks/runs such as the Race for the Cure. It is a broader incumbent in cancer fundraising with overlapping corporate partners and cause-marketing sponsor relationships.

Regional players

• Miles for Moffitt: Miles for Moffitt is a community running and walking event in the Tampa Bay area benefiting Moffitt Cancer Center. It is highly comparable in format and beneficiary model but operates in a different Florida geography from DCC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TackleCancer
• Facebookfacebook.com/DolphinsCancerChallenge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ride-dcc
• Instagraminstagram.com/dolphinscancerchallenge

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 Dolphins Cancer Challenge