Unique Foundation
Unique Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alexandria, VA that funds breast cancer research and detection screening for low-income women through a single annual dance-based fundraising gala in the Washington DC metro, primarily benefitting Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersAlexandria, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Unique Foundation does
Unique Foundation, Inc. is a Virginia-domiciled 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 by Mimi Lipold to fund breast cancer research, raise cancer awareness, and subsidize detection screening for women in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Its core operating activity is a single signature annual fundraising gala (the Fall Sapphire Gala) that pairs entertainment, mini group dance classes, hors d'oeuvres, and silent auctions with direct fundraising. Proceeds are directed primarily to Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center for breast cancer research, with additional support for free mammograms and breast-care seminars for low-income women. The foundation also maintains a recognized relationship with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The organization operates with no paid staff and is entirely volunteer-run, drawing on a roster of named volunteers and a small board led by Founder & Chair Mimi Lipold and Executive Director Guity Adjoodani. Its revenue model is event-driven: ticket sales at $35 general admission and $25 for students (capped at 5 tickets per buyer), silent auctions, corporate sponsorships, advertising in event programs, and in-kind donations from local merchants and dance studios. There is no technology product, no software platform, and no proprietary IP; the foundation's 'offering' is charitable event fundraising and community health advocacy delivered through an in-kind-supported dance-based format.
Distribution is concentrated regionally in the Washington DC metro area. Three dance studios (Forever Dancing in Falls Church, Viviana Tango in Washington DC, and Elegant Dancing in Fairfax) provide venue, talent, and entertainment at no cash cost, materially lowering overhead. Marketing runs through the annual event, volunteer word-of-mouth, the uniquefoundationinc.com website, and corporate sponsorships. The foundation accepts donations via PayPal and checks, and is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors drawn from local professional leadership.
Unique Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Unique Foundation
- Legal name
- Unique Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://uniquefoundationinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Unique Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alexandria, VA that funds breast cancer research and detection screening for low-income women through a single annual dance-based fundraising gala in the Washington DC metro, primarily benefitting Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Unique Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Fundraising and Health Advocacy
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where Unique Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandria
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Unique Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Event-based fundraising: Annual fundraising event featuring ticket sales (general admission and student tickets), silent auctions, corporate sponsorships, advertising in event programs, and in-kind donations from local merchants and professionals. All funds raised go directly to breast cancer research and detection screening programs with minimal overhead.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General admission tickets at $35 per ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Student tickets at $25 per ticket |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Unique Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Unique Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for breast cancer research and detection screening primarily through an annual dance-themed gala (Fall Sapphire Gala) featuring live music, silent auctions, and group dance classes. It complements the event with direct online and check donations, free breast-care awareness seminars, and grants to women's health centers, with all proceeds supporting research and mammogram access for low-income women.
Product overview
Unique Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1996 by Mimi Lippold. The organization operates as a volunteer-run entity with 100% volunteers and no paid staff. Its primary activities include hosting an annual fundraising gala featuring dance performances and entertainment to raise funds for breast cancer research, providing detection screening for women, and raising breast cancer awareness. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform — its 'offering' is charitable event fundraising and community health advocacy through dance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fall Sapphire Gala Annual signature dance and music fundraising event held to raise money for breast cancer research and detection screening. The gala includes a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, mini group dance classes, and general dancing, and serves as the foundation's primary fundraising and community engagement activity in the Washington-metropolitan area.
- Donation Program Direct donation program accepting online contributions via PayPal and offline contributions by check, with proceeds directed to breast cancer research grants, free mammograms for low-income women, and women's health seminars. Targeted at individual donors, community supporters, and corporate sponsors in the Washington-metropolitan area.
Companies that use Unique Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Unique Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Unique Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Georgetown Lombardi Cancer CentercorePrimary beneficiary of foundation fundraising. The generosity of Unique Foundation has enabled significant progress toward eliminating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. David Irwin, PhD serves as Associate Director of Administration.
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer FoundationcoreSusan Braun, President & CEO, has recognized Unique Foundation as a contributor to breast cancer research efforts. Represents a key alliance in the breast cancer awareness community.
- Forever DancingminorDance studio in Falls Church, VA that provides generous support for foundation events, offering venue and entertainment for fundraising activities.
- Viviana TangominorDance studio in Washington DC that provides generous support for foundation events, contributing entertainment talent for fundraising activities.
- Elegant DancingminorDance studio providing venue for the annual Fall Sapphire Gala event, located in Fairfax, VA.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Unique Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: The largest U.S. breast cancer nonprofit, funding research, screening, and education nationally. Directly comparable mission focus; Unique Foundation has been personally recognized by Komen's former CEO, indicating direct alignment and overlap in donor pools.
- National Breast Cancer Foundation: National nonprofit providing mammograms and patient navigation services, similar to Unique Foundation's screening-for-low-income-women mission. Comparable beneficiary programs but at significantly greater scale and digital sophistication.
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF): Funds breast cancer research globally with a research-grantmaking model. Most direct analog to Unique Foundation's grantmaking function (Georgetown Lombardi recipient), but at vastly larger scale with professional fundraising staff.
- American Cancer Society: Largest U.S. cancer nonprofit with broad cancer-type scope including breast. Overlaps in research funding, screening access, and awareness; competes for corporate sponsorships and event-driven donors.
- Avon Foundation for Women: Long-running breast cancer cause funder historically tied to event-based fundraising walks. Shares the model of partnering consumer brands with breast cancer fundraising at scale.
Direct peers
- Young Survival Coalition: Nonprofit focused specifically on young women affected by breast cancer, combining awareness, support, and research funding. Comparable mission specificity and comparable scale of operations.
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Mid-sized breast cancer nonprofit providing education, support, and research funding. Closest scale and mission match to Unique Foundation, including community events and direct programmatic support.
- National Breast Cancer Coalition: Advocacy and research-focused breast cancer nonprofit combining grassroots organizing with policy work. Comparable blend of awareness, advocacy, and research funding mission.
Regional players
- Pink Ribbon Foundation: UK-based breast cancer grantmaking organization funding research and community projects. Comparable small-foundation grantmaking model and event-driven fundraising approach.
Emerging players
- V Foundation for Cancer Research: Sports-tied cancer research foundation with event-driven fundraising model. Shares the model of using a distinctive cultural hook (sports) to drive research funding, analogous to Unique Foundation's dance hook.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Unique Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceUnique Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Unique Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Unique Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Unique Foundation 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 Unique Foundation
What does Unique Foundation do?
Unique Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for breast cancer research and detection screening primarily through an annual dance-themed gala (Fall Sapphire Gala) featuring live music, silent auctions, and group dance classes. It complements the event with direct online and check donations, free breast-care awareness seminars, and grants to women's health centers, with all proceeds supporting research and mammogram access for low-income women.
Is Unique Foundation a public or private company?
Unique Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Unique Foundation founded?
Unique Foundation was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Unique Foundation based?
Unique Foundation is headquartered in Alexandria, United States, in the North America region.
How does Unique Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: event-based fundraising.
Who are Unique Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), American Cancer Society and Avon Foundation for Women. Direct peers are Young Survival Coalition, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and National Breast Cancer Coalition. Pink Ribbon Foundation is listed as a regional player. V Foundation for Cancer Research is listed as an emerging player.
Does Unique Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Unique Foundation.
What industry is Unique Foundation in?
Unique Foundation's product category is Nonprofit Fundraising and Health Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813212.