American Association for Cancer Research Inc

Philadelphia, PA · Founded 1965

Leading professional organization advancing cancer research through scientific collaboration, education, and funding for 58,000 members worldwide

Primary audience
Cancer Researchers
Work area
Research Support
Topic
Cancer Prevention
Contact
Dr Margaret Foti
Website Contact

About Organization

The American Association for Cancer Research serves as the largest cancer research organization, supporting a global community of 58,000 scientists and healthcare professionals. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the organization operates with $137.4 million in annual revenue and employs 301 staff members. Founded in 1907, it accelerates cancer research breakthroughs through peer-reviewed publications, annual conferences, research grants, and advocacy initiatives.

What They Focus On

Cancer Research Funding

Awards competitive grants supporting innovative studies across brain cancer, clinical trials, and translational research programs

Scientific Collaboration

Facilitates knowledge exchange among 58,000 researchers through conferences, publications, and international professional networks

Health Equity

Addresses cancer disparities through minority scholar programs, diversity initiatives, and health care access advocacy

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$137.4M

+0% vs 2024

Assets (2024)

$291.8M

+0% vs 2024

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 — — — —
2024 $137,428,364 $88,032,459 $291,810,436 301
2023 — — — —
2023 $74,316,369 $80,202,057 $241,949,585 277
2022 — — — —
2022 $83,093,510 $83,018,160 $231,693,702 280
2021 — — — —
2021 $103,171,549 $68,261,079 $261,131,206 235
2020 — — — —
2020 $110,036,275 $95,785,864 $225,756,253 279

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Convene Researchers

    Brings together 58,000 cancer scientists through conferences, meetings, and collaborative networks worldwide

  • 02

    Fund Innovation

    Awards competitive research grants to support breakthrough cancer studies across institutions and career stages

  • 03

    Share Knowledge

    Publishes peer-reviewed journals and facilitates scientific communication to accelerate discovery translation

  • 04

    Advance Equity

    Supports minority scholars and addresses health care disparities through targeted programs and advocacy

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Association for Cancer Research Inc

Research Grants Program

Provides competitive funding to support innovative cancer research projects across multiple institutions and career stages

Annual Meeting & Conferences

Convenes global cancer researchers for knowledge exchange, including health care disparities conference and specialized symposia

Minority Scholar Program

Supports underrepresented scientists through travel awards and special programs including high school student initiatives

Brain Cancer Research

Dedicated funding stream and collaborative initiatives specifically targeting brain cancer treatment and prevention breakthroughs

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Association for Cancer Research Inc.

Dr Margaret Foti

Dr Margaret Foti

American Association for Cancer Research Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Full-time
Compensation: $1,809,255
Dr Patricia Lorusso

Dr Patricia Lorusso

President-Elect (Jan-Mar)
5 hrs/week
Bayard D. Clarkson

Bayard D. Clarkson

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, New York
Christiana Bardon

Christiana Bardon

Co-managing Partner, BioImpact Capital
Thomas Bown II

Thomas Bown II

James V. Buzzitta

James V. Buzzitta

Hughes Management, LC
Michael A. Caligiuri

Michael A. Caligiuri

City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute
Lauretta Chrys

Lauretta Chrys

Katie Coleman

Katie Coleman

Nancy E. Davidson

Nancy E. Davidson

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Bill Day

Bill Day

Raymond N. DuBois

Raymond N. DuBois

Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina
Cathy Fraser

Cathy Fraser

WelbeHealth
William N. Hait

William N. Hait

Johnson & Johnson External Innovation
Tonya Hallett

Tonya Hallett

Amazon
Justine Hastings

Justine Hastings

Chief AI Economist, Auger, Inc.
Richard A. Heyman

Richard A. Heyman

Vividion Therapeutics; Metacrine, Inc.; ORIC Pharmaceuticals
Michael E. Jesanis

Michael E. Jesanis

John E. Leonard

John E. Leonard

Vaccinex, Inc.
Gladys H. Monroy

Gladys H. Monroy

Phd
Nancy Reyda

Nancy Reyda

Rachael Ringer

Rachael Ringer

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (US) LLP
Anil K. Rustgi

Anil K. Rustgi

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center Columbia University
Ajit Singh

Ajit Singh

Flagship Pioneering and Harbinger Health
Lillian L. Siu

Lillian L. Siu

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network
Nancy Staisey

Nancy Staisey

Phd
MS

Michael Stewart

Senior VP, CFO
Full-time
Compensation: $430,500
PJ

Paul J Driscoll

Chief Marketing Officer And VP
Full-time
Compensation: $308,700
RG

Richard G Buck

Chief Communications Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $304,350
DL

Dr Lillian Sui

President-Elect (Apr-Dec)
5 hrs/week
DL

Dr Lisa Coussens

Past President (Jan-Mar)
5 hrs/week
DP

Dr Patricia Lorusso

President-Elect (Jan-Mar)
5 hrs/week
DP

Dr Philip Greenberg

Past President (Apr-Dec)
5 hrs/week
DP

Dr Philip Greenberg

Past President (Apr-Dec)
5 hrs/week
MS

Michael Stewart

Senior VP, CFO
JG

Jon G Retzlaff

VP. Science Policy & Gov. Affa
Full-time
Compensation: $403,520
CB

Christine B Battle

VP. Scientific Publications
Full-time
Compensation: $326,000
YZ

Yixian Zhang

VP, Research And Grants
Full-time
Compensation: $312,000
JS

Joseph S Pontoski

VP. Finance And Business Admin
Full-time
Compensation: $300,000
MB

Mary Ballinger

VP, Meetings And Exhibits
Full-time
Compensation: $270,750
DA

Dr Alice Shaw

Director
DC

Dr Catherine Wu

Director
DC

Dr Christina Curtis

Director
DC

Dr Christine Lovly

Director
DE

Dr Electra Paskett

Director
DE

Dr Elizabeth Platz

Director
DJ

Dr Jean-Charles Soria

Director
DJ

Dr Jedd Wolchok

Director
DJ

Dr John Carpten

Director
DK

Dr Katerina Politi

Director
DK

Dr Kimberly Stegmaier

Director
DL

Dr Lisa Newman

Director
DL

Dr Luis Diaz

Director
DM

Dr Manuel Hidalgo

Director
DN

Dr Nina Bhardwaj

Director
DR

Dr Robert Vonderheide

Director
DS

Dr Susan Galbraith

Director
DT

Dr Thomas Lynch

Director
DW

Dr William Pao

Director
DJ

Dr JOHN CARETHERS

Director

Milestones

1965

IRS Recognition

1965

Received federal tax-exempt status recognizing mission to advance cancer research and education

2020

Revenue Peak

2020

Achieved $110 million in revenue supporting expanded research programs during pandemic era

2024

Major Growth

2024

Revenue reached $137.4 million with 301 employees serving 58,000 global members

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Dr Alice Shaw
Dr Alice Shaw Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Catherine Wu
Dr Catherine Wu Director 2.0 hrs/week
DC
Dr Christina Curtis Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Christine Lovly
Dr Christine Lovly Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Electra Paskett
Dr Electra Paskett Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Elizabeth Platz
Dr Elizabeth Platz Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Jean-Charles Soria
Dr Jean-Charles Soria Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Jedd Wolchok
Dr Jedd Wolchok Director 2.0 hrs/week
DJ
Dr John Carpten Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Katerina Politi
Dr Katerina Politi Director 2.0 hrs/week
DK
Dr Kimberly Stegmaier Director 2.0 hrs/week
DL
Dr Lisa Newman Director 2.0 hrs/week
DL
Dr Luis Diaz Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr Manuel Hidalgo
Dr Manuel Hidalgo Director 2.0 hrs/week
DN
Dr Nina Bhardwaj Director 2.0 hrs/week
DR
Dr Robert Vonderheide Director 2.0 hrs/week
DS
Dr Susan Galbraith Director 2.0 hrs/week
DT
Dr Thomas Lynch Director 2.0 hrs/week
DW
Dr William N Hait Treasurer 5.0 hrs/week
DW
Dr William Pao Director 2.0 hrs/week
Dr JOHN CARETHERS
Dr JOHN CARETHERS Director 2.0 hrs/week
Johann S. de Bono
Johann S. de Bono Regius Professor of Cancer Research Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology Head of Division of Clinical Studies Director of the Drug Development Unit and Head of Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapy Group Institute of Cancer Research London, United Kingdom
Mikala Egeblad
Mikala Egeblad Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Tumor Microenvironment Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Professor of Cell Biology Professor of Oncology Co-Leader, Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Program Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Baltimore, Maryland
Crystal Mackall
Crystal Mackall Ernest and Amelia Gallo Family Professor Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine Founding Director, Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy Director, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Associate Director, Stanford Cancer Institute Stanford, California
Charles W. M. Roberts
Charles W. M. Roberts Executive Vice President and Director Comprehensive Cancer Center St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis, Tennessee
Timothy A. Yap
Timothy A. Yap Professor, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), Division of Cancer Medicine Vice President, Head of Clinical Development, Therapeutics Discovery Division Associate Director of Translational Research, Khalifa Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$5.0M

Highest Paid

$1.9M

DR Margaret Foti

Compensated Officers

9

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
DR Margaret Foti Chief Executive Officer $1,809,255 $64,914 $1,874,169 35
Michael Stewart SR. Vice President, CFO $430,500 $64,403 $494,903 35
Jon G Retzlaff VP. Science Policy & Gov. Affa $403,520 $55,903 $459,423 40
Yixian Zhang VP, Research And Grants $312,000 $60,956 $372,956 40
Paul J Driscoll Chief Marketing Officer And VP $308,700 $58,972 $367,672 40
Christine B Battle VP. Scientific Publications $326,000 $39,841 $365,841 40
Richard G Buck Chief Communications Officer $304,350 $52,883 $357,233 40
Joseph S Pontoski VP. Finance And Business Admin $300,000 $50,363 $350,363 40
Mary Ballinger VP, Meetings And Exhibits $270,750 $50,195 $320,945 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$15.0M Grants Received
19 Organizations

Top Funders

19 total
EI
Entertainment Industry Foundation
$10.8M
P
Pelotonia
$2.4M
ML
Marc Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer
$991K
DD
Debbie's Dream Foundation Inc.
$162K
SA
Swim Across America Inc
$100K
CR
Cancer Research Institute Inc.
$100K
SB
St Baldrick's Foundation Inc.
$75K
SI
Stachestrong Inc.
$66K
PB
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States Inc
$66K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$41K
+9 more funders
Entertainment Industry Foundation Pelotonia Marc Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Debbie's Dream Foundation Inc. Swim Across America Inc Cancer Research Institute Inc. St Baldrick's Foundation Inc. Stachestrong Inc. Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States Inc American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Chester County Community Foundation United Charitable American Cancer Society Inc. Give Lively Foundation Inc. Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Charities Aid Foundation America PAYPAL Charitable Giving Fund Prostate Cancer Foundation
Entertainment Industry Foundation Pelotonia Marc Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Debbie's Dream Foundation Inc. Swim Across America Inc Cancer Research Institute Inc. St Baldrick's Foundation Inc. Stachestrong Inc. Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States Inc American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Chester County Community Foundation United Charitable American Cancer Society Inc. Give Lively Foundation Inc. Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Charities Aid Foundation America PAYPAL Charitable Giving Fund Prostate Cancer Foundation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

2 affiliated entities reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

2

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

2
American Association For Cancer Research Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
See Schedule O For Details
501(c) 501(C)(3)
American Association For Cancer Research International - Canada
Toronto, ONTARIO
See Schedule O For Details
501(c) 501(C)(3)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Federal Funding

Government awards and grants from USAspending.gov

$6.1M Total Obligated
$6.1M Total Amount
4 Awards
1 Agency

Awards

Agency Award ID Type Period Amount
HHS R25CA174664 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2013-2024 $2,472,670
HHS R13CA040577 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B) 1985-2021 $1,681,336
HHS R13CA076526 PROJECT GRANT (B) 1997-2028 $1,238,792
HHS R13CA239609 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2019-2029 $670,130

Source: USAspending.gov. Amounts represent total federal obligations.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
111 Registrations
76 Clients
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 76 total

American Association For Cancer Research
1 filing
Self
American Association For Dental Oral & Craniofacial Research
1 filing
Self
American Association For Dental, Oral, And Craniofacial Research
1 filing
Self
A
American Association For Justice
8 filings
A
American Association Of Airport Executives
4 filings
A
American Association Of Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine
4 filings
A
American Association Of Consumer Credit Professionals
4 filings
A
American Association Of Nurse Anesthetists
4 filings
A
American Association Of Colleges Of Nursing
3 filings
A
American Association Of Nurse Practitioners
3 filings
A
American Association For Homecare
2 filings
A
American Association For Homecare (Aahomecare)
2 filings
A
American Association For Marriage And Family Therapy
2 filings
A
American Association Of Colleges For Teacher Education
2 filings
A
American Association Of Community Colleges
2 filings
A
American Association Of Crop Insurers (Aaci)
2 filings
A
American Association Of Nurse Anesthesiology
2 filings
A
American Association Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons
2 filings
A
American Association Of Orthodontists
2 filings
A
American Association Of Port Authorities
2 filings
A
American Association Of School Administrators
2 filings
A
American Association Of Teaching Health Centers
2 filings
A
Aanem American Association Of Neuromuscular And Electrodiagnostic Medicine
1 filing
A
Acg Advocacy On Behalf Of American Association Of Publishers
1 filing
A
American Association For Clinical Chemistry
1 filing
A
American Association For Homeopathic Products
1 filing
A
American Association For Laboratory Accreditation (A2La)
1 filing
A
American Association For Respiratory Care
1 filing
A
American Association For The Advancement Of Science
1 filing
A
American Association For The Treatment Of Opioid Dependence
1 filing
A
American Association Of Advertising Agencies
1 filing
A
American Association Of Bioanalysts
1 filing
A
American Association Of Birth Centers
1 filing
A
American Association Of Birth Centers (Aabc)
1 filing
A
American Association Of Blood Banks, Dba Association For The Advancement Of Bloo
1 filing
A
American Association Of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation
1 filing
A
American Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Rehabilitation
1 filing
A
American Association Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
1 filing
A
American Association Of Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine (Aacom)
1 filing
A
American Association Of Colleges Of Pharmacy
1 filing
A
American Association Of Collegiate Registrars And Admissions Officers
1 filing
A
American Association Of Cosmetology Schools
1 filing
A
American Association Of Exporters And Importers
1 filing
A
American Association Of Healthcare Administrative Management
1 filing
A
American Association Of Hip And Knee Surgeons (Aahks)
1 filing
A
American Association Of Homecare
1 filing
A
American Association Of Independent Music
1 filing
A
American Association Of International Healthcare Recruitment
1 filing
A
American Association Of Law Libraries
1 filing
A
American Association Of Museums
1 filing

+ 26 more clients

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Association for Cancer Research Inc

Phone

(215) 440-9300

Social

Visit Website
615 Chestnut Street 17th Fl Philadelphia, PA 19106