About
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Tampa, Florida, dedicated to funding and developing novel research and clinical trials to find less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancer. The foundation highlights a stark funding gap in its field: only about 4 percent of the billions of dollars the U.S. government spends annually on cancer research is directed to childhood cancers, even though 43 kids in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer each day.
Mission
NPCF is dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer, with a focus on finding less toxic, more effective treatments. The foundation reports that 89 cents of every dollar spent supports its mission.
What they do
- Sunshine Research Consortium — a collaborative research model that unites a coalition of more than 40 leading pediatric hospitals nationwide to accelerate research and clinical trials.
- Research funding — the foundation has dedicated more than 50 million dollars to pediatric cancer research and reports 28 completed research projects.
- Patient and family resources — a Health Navigator service and a Pediatric Cancer Toolkit for patients and families.
- Community fundraising programs — activity-based initiatives including Bikers Fund the Cure, Pizza for Good, and Dancing, Gaming, Fishing, Fitness, Hiking, Music, Pickleball, and Walking Funds the Cure, plus Students Fund the Cure and design-it-yourself fundraising.
History
The foundation was founded in 1991 by Melissa Dunkel and Risa Tramel, two mothers whose infant daughters were cancer patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The IRS recognized the organization as tax-exempt in May 1992.
Scale and impact
Since inception, NPCF has donated more than 50 million dollars to pediatric cancer research and built a nationwide coalition of over 40 hospital partners. The foundation holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, which it has earned for 10 consecutive years, and describes itself as the top-rated childhood cancer nonprofit in the United States.
Financials
According to IRS Form 990 data on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 59-3097333), for the fiscal year ending June 2025 NPCF reported total revenue of 4,449,969 dollars, total expenses of 5,723,050 dollars, and total assets of 6,202,847 dollars. Contributions accounted for about 94.8 percent of revenue.
Governance
David Frazer serves as Chief Executive Officer, with Dawn Zachman as Chief Operating Officer, per the foundation's IRS filings, which also list Albert Silva as board chairman. The foundation is headquartered at 5550 West Executive Drive, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33609.