The V Foundation for Cancer Research Invests $60 Million in Lifesaving Research in Record-Setting Year

CARY, NC (October 29, 2025) – The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer charity, announced an impactful year of funding lifesaving cancer research, awarding a record-setting $60 million to 89 exceptional research teams over the last 12 months. The V Foundation’s programs and cancer research funding grew across all categories: adding new grant award opportunities, inviting additional nominees, and receiving the highest-ever number of applicants. Since its start in 1993, the V Foundation has awarded over $458 million across 1,423 cancer research grants at top cancer centers throughout North America. With an endowment that covers all administrative expenses, the V Foundation commits 100% of direct donations to cancer research, ensuring every gift has maximum impact for researchers and patients.

“The urgency to fund cancer research has never been greater. There are more groundbreaking ideas than resources to pursue them,” said Susanna Greer, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at the V Foundation. “Because every penny of direct donations goes straight to research, our donors’ generosity has fueled a record year, awarding more grants than ever before. These investments are advancing research and, most importantly, bringing hope and new treatment possibilities to patients and families who need them most.”

In the last five years, the V Foundation has generated 41.67% of its total grant funding, accelerating cancer research faster than ever before to move closer to Victory Over Cancer®. The V Foundation’s expanded research impact this year includes:

• All Star Grants: The V Foundation selected 22 research teams to receive an “All-Star Grant,” the largest award offered by the organization – $1 million over 5 years. All-Star Grantees are previous V Foundation award recipients who have shown incredible progress in their studies and were nominated by their institution as the ‘best-of-the-best.’ With $22 million re-invested in these scientists, the V Foundation is providing critical support for breakthrough discoveries and moving new ideas from the lab to patient care.
• Nationwide Signature Events Growth: With continued event success in Northern California, the organization expanded its event portfolio to new markets this year, building out the Epicurean series in Chicago, Capital/DC region, Austin and Phoenix. This growth allows supporters to engage with the mission nationwide, see the regional impact of the V Foundation at top cancer centers, and meet grantees in-person to learn about the very research their gifts make possible.

“The V Foundation was the very first to support my lab, and that early investment was pivotal in giving me the freedom to ask high-risk questions that traditional funding wouldn’t support. It wasn’t just financial support; it was validation that people believed in my work and gave me my scientific voice,” said Christine Chio, Ph.D., a 2018 V Scholar from Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center of Columbia University and featured speaker at a 2025 V Foundation Signature Event. “The moments when the V Foundation brings scientists, patients, and survivors together remind us of the bigger picture and fuels our research.”

Researchers funded by the V Foundation have collectively, throughout their careers, been connected to 1,094 clinical trials and have received over 6,500 grants that have generated $22 billion in research dollars. This investment is paying off with tangible results, including:

• Pavlos Msaouel, M.D., Ph.D., and his lab at MD Anderson Cancer Center initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial testing a powerful triple-therapy approach designed to break through the defenses of advanced kidney cancer. Of the patients in the trial, nearly half saw the size of their tumors shrink, and 86.4% had their cancer controlled for at least a temporary period. The one-year survival rate was over 80%, a promising step forward for a highly treatment-resistant cancer type.

• Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, M.D., Ph.D., and team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute studied tissue samples from pediatric and adult glioma (brain tumor) patients to identify patterns. They found changes in a specific protein (FGFR) for about 10% of pediatric patients, which can help guide which treatment options will give children a better quality of life. Bandopadhayay has now built new models of the tumors to test more targeted treatment options with fewer side effects.

Looking ahead, the V Foundation will continue to raise the bar in cancer research efforts across all cancer types, recently announcing a 25% increase in the V Scholar grant award to $800,000 over four years, offering scientists expanded funding for their laboratories to pursue even more ambitious and innovative research.

The V Foundation holds 13 consecutive 4-star (highest) ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, placing the foundation among the top 2% of all charities evaluated for fiscal responsibility. The V Foundation has also earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar) for openness in reporting its operations, finances, and impact.

To learn more or to donate, please visit www.v.org.

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About the V Foundation for Cancer Research 
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded over $458 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs.  The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. To learn more, visit v.org.

Media Contact: 
Alexandra Paterson
[email protected]