American Cancer Society, Inc. Parent

Every Cancer. Every Life.

Hagerstown , MD | http://www.cancer.org

GuideStar Charity Check

American Cancer Society, Inc.

EIN: 13-1788491

Contributions tax deductible
as of June 2024

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of June 10, 2024

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

The American Cancer Society's mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer

Ruling year info

1942

Chief Executive Officer

Karen Knudsen

Main address

P.O Box 6704

Hagerstown , MD 21741 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

13-1788491

Subject area info

Health

Community improvement

Human services

Population served info

Adults

Families

Caregivers

Ethnic and racial groups

People with diseases and illnesses

NTEE code info

Human Service Organizations (P20)

Cancer (G30)

Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement (S20)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Affiliations

See related organizations info

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The American Cancer Society is focused on improving the lives of all people facing cancer and their families, while working to reduce health disparities and increase equitable access to care.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Research

Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $5 billion in cancer research. Our aim is to launch innovative, high-impact research to find more and better treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve the quality of life for people facing cancer. We also fund grants that foster a more diverse cancer care and research workforce to better address the inequities in cancer prevention, treatment, and care.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Patient Support

Patient support is at the core of our work to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families. We help people find answers and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Our cancer.org website, one of the most comprehensive cancer resources in the world, logs more than 100 million visits each year, and our 24/7 helpline receives and responds to thousands of calls, emails, and chats daily in multiple languages.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Advocacy

Through the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)SM, our nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, we work to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through public policy advocacy. Since 2001, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Caregivers

Families

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Support to people facing cancer and their caregivers

This metric is no longer tracked.

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Patient Support

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Number of calls and chats to our National Cancer Information Center

Research

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Research

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

We are currently investing $450M in grants to find better treatments and improve the quality of life for people with cancer. 50 researchers funded who went on to win the Nobel Prize.

Improve access to care for those most likely to experience inadequate access to cancer treatment & support services by focus on patient navigation solutions and service programs that address barriers

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Patient Support

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

# nights provided by Hope Lodge

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Reports and documents

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

The American Cancer Society exists because the burden of cancer is unacceptably high. Through our critical day-to-day mission work, we are working to reduce cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years. We have established specific outcome goals to impact two of the most important challenges facing people touched by cancer: eliminating cancer disparities and simplifying access to quality cancer care.

Our comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges will focus on the following mission priorities:
Hope Lodge Expansion - Building 10 new communities across the country to provide more people facing cancer with a free home away from home when they must travel for treatment
IMPACT: Improving Mortality from Prostate Cancer - Working to reverse the alarming increase in advanced-stage prostate cancer, particularly among Black men
VOICES of Black Women - Launching one of the largest and most advanced studies ever undertaken to identify cancer risks among Black women.
ACS Center for Diversity in Cancer Research Training - Increasing diversity in the cancer workforce by creating clear career pathways from high school through advanced degree study.
ACS CARES: Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support - Delivering personalized and curated resources to patients where they are and when they need the information most
Advocating for Federally Funded Patient Navigation for All - Working to increase access to patient navigation services for people in every community through our public policy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Advocating for affordable cancer care - In partnership with ACS CAN, working to ensure health care coverage is keeping pace with oncological innovation and that there is equitable opportunity for everyone to get the best possible care
Access to clinical trials - Creating a new national clinical trial matching program to remove barriers to trial participation and increase enrollment rates.

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

The American Cancer Society works to achieve our outcome goals through patient-centric strategies that include public policy advocacy, systems policy and practice, information and empowerment for people facing cancer, research, and resource navigation. Every part of our work is aimed at advancing equitable access to cancer care for everyone, in every community.

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

With more than 110 years of experience working to reduce the cancer burden, our organization has unmatched expertise in cancer control and a long history of successfully partnering with corporate systems, health systems, and communities. Since 2001, our nonprofit, non-partisan affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network SM (ACS CAN), has successfully advocated for evidence-based public policies aimed at reducing the cancer burden for everyone. Through our mission work in the areas of research, advocacy, and patient support, we deliver comprehensive patient information and support programs and operate both extramural and intramural research programs.

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

Since our organization was founded as the American Society for the Control of Cancer in 1913, major strides have been made in cancer research and early detection. The American Cancer Society has played a major part in many of these advancements and remains a global leader in the fight against cancer. We are measurably improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support.

As the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research in the US outside of the federal government, we have funded more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946. Thanks in part to our efforts, we have seen a 33% decline in the cancer death rate since 1991, representing 4.1 million lives saved during that time.

Since 2001, our advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network SM (ACS CAN), has been advocating for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. They continue to fight at all levels of government to demand change from our elected officials to build healthier communities and provide greater, more equitable access to quality health care.

Our patient support programs and services reach people in more than 20,000 communities each year. We provide support and trusted information through our 24/7 cancer helpline, cancer.org website, and help remove barriers to care through transportation to appointments and lodging near treatment.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

We shared information about our current feedback practices.

How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Financial documents

Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant.

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2022

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

1.77

Average of 1.75 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2022

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

0.8

Average of 1.4 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2022

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

20%

Average of 30% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$341,615,150
Government Grants	$3,249,236
Program Services	$10,673,411
Investments	$9,050,342
Special Events	$0
Sales	$399,132
Other	$10,281,028
Total Revenue	$375,268,299

Expenses
Program Services	$313,943,453
Administration	$26,225,299
Fundraising	$51,056,280
Total Expenses	$391,225,032
Net Gain/Loss	($15,956,733)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$1,217,200
Advertising & Promotion	$13,693,582
Information Technology Expenses	$1,694,366
Insurance Expenses	$614,885
Interest Expenses	$154,171
Investment Management Fees	$1,003,666
Legal Fees	$701,569
Pension Plan Contributions	$9,492,591
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$10,126,022

Revenue
Contributions	$363,629,602
Government Grants	$5,346,921
Program Services	$2,620,715
Investments	$6,966,062
Special Events	$0
Sales	$83,575
Other	$12,961,018
Total Revenue	$391,607,893

Expenses
Program Services	$303,475,464
Administration	$33,419,155
Fundraising	$42,491,493
Total Expenses	$379,386,112
Net Gain/Loss	$12,221,781

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$1,468,786
Advertising & Promotion	$12,783,628
Information Technology Expenses	$3,198,628
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$100,704
Investment Management Fees	$899,808
Legal Fees	$777,537
Pension Plan Contributions	$11,185,253
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$7,975,631

Revenue
Contributions	$348,028,097
Government Grants	$4,007,044
Program Services	$1,849,560
Investments	$8,050,717
Special Events	$0
Sales	$153,392
Other	$11,930,682
Total Revenue	$374,019,492

Expenses
Program Services	$307,128,867
Administration	$27,326,347
Fundraising	$39,007,659
Total Expenses	$373,462,873
Net Gain/Loss	$556,619

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$1,216,962
Advertising & Promotion	$18,500,492
Information Technology Expenses	$5,394,936
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$154,718
Investment Management Fees	$1,062,972
Legal Fees	$1,059,007
Pension Plan Contributions	$10,175,671
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$7,961,670

Revenue
Contributions	$347,311,030
Government Grants	$3,467,307
Program Services	$2,894,410
Investments	$11,223,817
Special Events	$0
Sales	$149,008
Other	$11,240,883
Total Revenue	$376,286,455

Expenses
Program Services	$332,343,747
Administration	$29,158,287
Fundraising	$47,394,776
Total Expenses	$408,896,810
Net Gain/Loss	($32,610,355)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$870,540
Advertising & Promotion	$25,616,028
Information Technology Expenses	$7,929,949
Insurance Expenses	$820,497
Interest Expenses	$131,491
Investment Management Fees	$806,052
Legal Fees	$1,608,381
Pension Plan Contributions	$9,296,339
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$2,325,789

Revenue
Contributions	$214,219,793
Government Grants	$2,602,379
Program Services	($106,018)
Investments	$12,263,622
Special Events	$218,890
Sales	($3,948,349)
Other	$5,471,216
Total Revenue	$230,721,533

Expenses
Program Services	$258,325,674
Administration	$26,989,763
Fundraising	$72,559,984
Total Expenses	$357,875,421
Net Gain/Loss	($127,153,888)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$700,500
Advertising & Promotion	$8,166,653
Information Technology Expenses	$6,863,227
Insurance Expenses	$2,208,041
Interest Expenses	$921,036
Investment Management Fees	$1,471,577
Legal Fees	$507,073
Pension Plan Contributions	$21,229,613
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$2,317,846

Revenue
Contributions	$865,478,489
Government Grants	$6,425,748
Program Services	$24,767
Investments	$43,851,646
Special Events	$5,139,803
Sales	($10,686,034)
Other	$9,295,355
Total Revenue	$919,529,774

Expenses
Program Services	$672,422,111
Administration	$50,263,109
Fundraising	$201,303,109
Total Expenses	$923,988,329
Net Gain/Loss	($4,458,555)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$967,245
Advertising & Promotion	$22,397,352
Information Technology Expenses	$14,792,854
Insurance Expenses	$2,890,692
Interest Expenses	$2,072,958
Investment Management Fees	$2,829,566
Legal Fees	$1,679,906
Pension Plan Contributions	$58,372,852
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$4,556,778

Revenue
Contributions	$800,249,045
Government Grants	$4,682,245
Program Services	$20,815
Investments	$38,023,846
Special Events	$4,696,429
Sales	($10,990,499)
Other	$11,179,649
Total Revenue	$847,861,530

Expenses
Program Services	$621,740,548
Administration	$51,257,169
Fundraising	$170,295,605
Total Expenses	$843,293,322
Net Gain/Loss	$4,568,208

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$753,324
Advertising & Promotion	$10,081,330
Information Technology Expenses	$14,150,097
Insurance Expenses	$3,304,846
Interest Expenses	$578,309
Investment Management Fees	$3,872,953
Legal Fees	$1,126,254
Pension Plan Contributions	$33,808,291
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$8,184,367

Revenue
Contributions	$780,439,505
Government Grants	$5,428,949
Program Services	$14,986
Investments	$37,981,158
Special Events	$1,796,082
Sales	($11,747,392)
Other	$10,789,992
Total Revenue	$824,703,280

Expenses
Program Services	$686,962,546
Administration	$52,448,931
Fundraising	$176,599,332
Total Expenses	$916,010,809
Net Gain/Loss	($91,307,529)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$611,065
Advertising & Promotion	$40,125,938
Information Technology Expenses	$18,792,760
Insurance Expenses	$3,212,569
Interest Expenses	$592,768
Investment Management Fees	$3,281,315
Legal Fees	$992,030
Pension Plan Contributions	$54,329,284
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$6,320,604

Revenue
Contributions	$773,116,177
Government Grants	$5,642,013
Program Services	$13,200
Investments	$29,172,833
Special Events	$1,710,400
Sales	($12,221,886)
Other	$15,766,742
Total Revenue	$813,199,479

Expenses
Program Services	$647,696,066
Administration	$48,741,203
Fundraising	$170,957,351
Total Expenses	$867,394,620
Net Gain/Loss	($54,195,141)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$646,350
Advertising & Promotion	$37,818,188
Information Technology Expenses	$20,769,233
Insurance Expenses	$3,569,603
Interest Expenses	$692,885
Investment Management Fees	$2,817,495
Legal Fees	$1,424,915
Pension Plan Contributions	$51,184,656
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$6,134,538

Revenue
Contributions	$702,197,166
Government Grants	$5,349,186
Program Services	$11,620
Investments	$82,030,531
Special Events	$1,422,388
Sales	($12,610,197)
Other	$10,156,246
Total Revenue	$788,556,940

Expenses
Program Services	$628,570,569
Administration	$37,731,204
Fundraising	$147,327,559
Total Expenses	$813,629,332
Net Gain/Loss	($25,072,392)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$327,865
Advertising & Promotion	$35,727,072
Information Technology Expenses	$26,195,484
Insurance Expenses	$2,962,168
Interest Expenses	$880,516
Investment Management Fees	$2,799,263
Legal Fees	$2,704,172
Pension Plan Contributions	$25,728,758
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$12,684,825

Revenue
Contributions	$707,867,868
Government Grants	$5,392,503
Program Services	$28,772
Investments	$58,341,410
Special Events	$1,373,030
Sales	($13,108,731)
Other	$9,994,009
Total Revenue	$769,888,861

Expenses
Program Services	$565,963,749
Administration	$35,915,855
Fundraising	$138,696,166
Total Expenses	$740,575,770
Net Gain/Loss	$29,313,091

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$480,760
Advertising & Promotion	$33,775,936
Information Technology Expenses	$24,362,748
Insurance Expenses	$2,770,379
Interest Expenses	$1,176,100
Investment Management Fees	$1,733,958
Legal Fees	$4,658,997
Pension Plan Contributions	$7,586,425
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$11,588,368

Revenue
Contributions	$679,231,894
Government Grants	$4,270,948
Program Services	$15,663
Investments	$36,277,387
Special Events	$620,223
Sales	($15,153,779)
Other	$14,869,510
Total Revenue	$720,131,846

Expenses
Program Services	$565,440,448
Administration	$28,457,626
Fundraising	$136,788,594
Total Expenses	$730,686,668
Net Gain/Loss	($10,554,822)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$543,850
Advertising & Promotion	$29,744,433
Information Technology Expenses	$25,255,948
Insurance Expenses	$3,381,832
Interest Expenses	$1,096,251
Investment Management Fees	$2,501,047
Legal Fees	$5,427,048
Pension Plan Contributions	$7,229,515
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$13,837,251

Revenue
Contributions	$529,035,466
Government Grants	$4,226,641
Program Services	$31,098
Investments	$46,331,600
Special Events	$578,623
Sales	($15,050,421)
Other	$11,142,524
Total Revenue	$576,295,531

Expenses
Program Services	$427,701,929
Administration	$34,867,293
Fundraising	$101,438,681
Total Expenses	$564,007,903
Net Gain/Loss	$12,287,628

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$579,941
Advertising & Promotion	$26,232,878
Information Technology Expenses	$19,849,754
Insurance Expenses	$3,442,412
Interest Expenses	$597,823
Investment Management Fees	$61,985
Legal Fees	$5,956,672
Pension Plan Contributions	$11,394,735
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$5,468,529

Revenue
Contributions	$647,749,930
Government Grants	$4,287,782
Program Services	$6,537,530
Investments	$76,643,827
Special Events	$787,614
Sales	($12,630,966)
Other	$11,010,542
Total Revenue	$734,386,259

Expenses
Program Services	$460,052,568
Administration	$25,015,389
Fundraising	$92,593,299
Total Expenses	$577,661,256
Net Gain/Loss	$156,725,003

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$475,287
Advertising & Promotion	$40,136,018
Information Technology Expenses	$26,454,726
Insurance Expenses	$1,718,183
Interest Expenses	$741,606
Investment Management Fees	$400,515
Legal Fees	$8,426,513
Pension Plan Contributions	$18,784,996
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$6,734,902

Revenue
Contributions	$653,460,360
Government Grants	$4,188,216
Program Services	$2,536,835
Investments	$22,645,378
Special Events	($7,094,593)
Sales	($15,165,577)
Other	$13,902,310
Total Revenue	$674,472,929

Expenses
Program Services	$542,660,040
Administration	$26,408,503
Fundraising	$100,135,153
Total Expenses	$669,203,696
Net Gain/Loss	$5,269,233

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$582,799
Advertising & Promotion	$45,585,655
Information Technology Expenses	$35,995,681
Insurance Expenses	$1,386,310
Interest Expenses	$827,370
Investment Management Fees	$579,815
Legal Fees	$8,516,752
Pension Plan Contributions	$4,331,191
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$6,601,341

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Sep 01, 2008	Aug 31, 2009	Change
Contributions	$341,615,150
Cash & Equivalents	$379,601,902	$398,151,315	$18,549,413
Accounts Receivable	$1,053,544	$1,106,922	$53,378
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$19,258,110	$14,982,171	($4,275,939)
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$645,387	$897,374	$251,987
Investment, Securities	$440,821,076	$415,705,183	($25,115,893)
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$60,447,819	$50,756,559	($9,691,260)
Other	$776,270,959	$692,300,559	($83,970,400)
Total Assets	$1,678,098,797	$1,573,900,083	($104,198,714)

Liabilities	Sep 01, 2008	Aug 31, 2009	Change
Accounts Payable	$64,378,579	$63,270,733	($1,107,846)
Grants Payable	$227,248,440	$215,441,364	($11,807,076)
Deferred Revenue	$1,032,421	$563,826	($468,595)
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$8,920,000	$8,495,000	($425,000)
Other	$864,324,397	$778,119,913	($86,204,484)
Total Liabilities	$1,165,903,837	$1,065,890,836	($100,013,001)

Fund balance	Sep 01, 2008	Aug 31, 2009	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$84,112,738	$82,238,465	-$1,874,273
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$30,487,848	$27,474,780	-$3,013,068
Total Restricted Net Assets	$114,600,586	$109,713,245	($4,887,341)
Unrestricted Net Assets	$397,594,374	$398,296,002	$701,628
Net Assets	$512,194,960	$508,009,247	($4,185,713)

Assets	Sep 01, 2009	Aug 31, 2010	Change
Contributions	$363,629,602
Cash & Equivalents	$43,760,443	$45,812,476	$2,052,033
Accounts Receivable	$1,106,922	$1,286,087	$179,165
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$14,982,171	$9,689,377	($5,292,794)
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$897,374	$972,482	$75,108
Investment, Securities	$770,096,055	$782,149,750	$12,053,695
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$50,756,559	$40,694,161	($10,062,398)
Other	$692,300,559	$654,304,380	($37,996,179)
Total Assets	$1,573,900,083	$1,534,908,713	($38,991,370)

Liabilities	Sep 01, 2009	Aug 31, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$63,270,733	$45,671,030	($17,599,703)
Grants Payable	$215,441,364	$210,801,184	($4,640,180)
Deferred Revenue	$563,826	$205,773	($358,053)
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$8,495,000	$8,045,000	($450,000)
Other	$778,119,913	$749,007,907	($29,112,006)
Total Liabilities	$1,065,890,836	$1,013,730,894	($52,159,942)

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of American Cancer Society, Inc.’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

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Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	-$3,402,958	-$8,912,684	$19,927,216	$196,974,775	-$45,133,787
As % of expenses	-0.5%	-1.2%	3.6%	34.9%	-6.9%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	-$17,408,328	-$23,743,592	$4,833,638	$183,504,524	-$58,636,800
As % of expenses	-2.4%	-3.2%	0.9%	31.8%	-8.8%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$769,888,861	$720,131,846	$576,295,531	$734,386,259	$674,472,929
Total revenue, % change over prior year	-2.4%	-6.5%	-20.0%	27.4%	-8.2%
Program services revenue	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.9%	0.4%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	3.2%	3.4%	3.3%	2.6%	4.1%
Government grants	0.7%	0.6%	0.7%	0.6%	0.6%
All other grants and contributions	91.9%	94.3%	91.8%	88.2%	95.7%
Other revenue	4.1%	1.7%	4.1%	7.7%	-0.8%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$726,570,400	$715,855,760	$548,914,325	$564,191,005	$655,700,683
Total expenses, % change over prior year	-9.0%	-1.5%	-23.3%	2.8%	16.2%
Personnel	45.0%	46.1%	52.5%	42.0%	39.3%
Professional fees	7.7%	7.3%	6.6%	5.8%	6.1%
Occupancy	6.3%	6.5%	7.0%	4.7%	4.6%
Interest	0.2%	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Pass-through	23.4%	22.9%	17.5%	27.7%	29.1%
All other expenses	17.5%	17.1%	16.3%	19.6%	20.7%

Full cost components (estimated)	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$740,575,770	$730,686,668	$564,007,903	$577,661,256	$669,203,696
One month of savings	$60,547,533	$59,654,647	$45,742,860	$47,015,917	$54,641,724
Debt principal payment	$5,719,589	$1,665,053	$1,665,527	$0	$2,726,311
Fixed asset additions	$22,097,027	$36,921,256	$16,303,561	$0	$0
Total full costs (estimated)	$828,939,919	$828,927,624	$627,719,851	$624,677,173	$726,571,731

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Months of cash	1.0	1.5	1.0	0.9	0.8
Months of cash and investments	14.6	14.9	20.0	22.0	17.4
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	4.4	3.7	4.9	8.9	6.8

Balance sheet composition	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Cash	$63,089,707	$88,291,803	$44,516,886	$42,464,913	$41,852,584
Investments	$818,113,845	$798,450,960	$871,586,542	$990,916,360	$910,903,648
Receivables	$90,642,576	$77,793,316	$64,312,537	$78,007,446	$93,453,262
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$495,804,354	$524,976,863	$507,073,710	$415,596,782	$404,422,534
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	53.9%	52.3%	50.3%	41.2%	42.4%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	33.2%	33.4%	30.1%	26.4%	29.5%
Unrestricted net assets	$464,783,055	$441,039,463	$445,873,101	$629,377,625	$570,740,825
Temporarily restricted net assets	$320,704,806	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Permanently restricted net assets	$307,035,805	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total restricted net assets	$627,740,611	$673,637,551	$741,930,688	$762,932,410	$684,476,224
Total net assets	$1,092,523,666	$1,114,677,014	$1,187,803,789	$1,392,310,035	$1,255,217,049

Key data checks

Key data checks	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Material data errors	No	No	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination is not available for this organization

Form 1023/1024

Chief Executive Officer

Karen Knudsen

LinkedIn profile

Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, is the chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). As a well-respected cancer leader, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Knudsen guides the organization on our mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. She has a strong commitment to ensuring that all people can benefit from the impact of our work. Prior to joining ACS, Dr. Knudsen served as executive vice president of Oncology Services and enterprise director for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers recognized for their research and impact on cancer outcomes. Dr. Knudsen holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the George Washington University; a PhD in biological sciences from the University of California San Diego; and an MBA from Temple University Fox School of Business.

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Highest paid employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of highest paid employee data for this organization

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Board of directors
as of 04/08/2024

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board chair

Brian Marlow

Terri McClements

Mark A. Goldberg

Katie A. Eccles

Michael T. Marquardt

Sean T. Farnham

Jose C. Buenaga

Desiree G. Rogers

Asif Dhar

Norman E. Sharpless

Karen Etzkorn

Wayne A.I. Frederick

Kathleen Gallagher

Jaime Wesolowski

Michelle M. Le Beau

Connie Lindsey

Edison T. Liu

Michael Pellini

Kenneth R. Stoll

Robert Winn

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 6/1/2023

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

White/Caucasian/European

Gender identity

Female, Not transgender

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or Straight

Disability status

Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 06/01/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data

We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Policies and processes

We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Contractors

Fiscal year ending

Professional fundraisers

Fiscal year ending

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Schedule G

Solicitation activities

Gross receipts from fundraising

Retained by organization

Paid to fundraiser

Related organizations & associated domestic grants

Show data for fiscal year

Related organization	Primary activity	Subsection	PC status	Controlling entity?	512(b)(13) controlled entity?	Cash grants paid	Non-cash assistance
ACS CANCER ACTION NETWORK INC 655 15th Street NW Ste 503 WASHINGTON, DC 20005 52-1240031	ELIMINATE CANCER	501(c)(4)		ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
THE JOSEPH S AND JEANNETTE M SILBER FDTN 4900 TIEDEMAN RD OH-01-49-015 BROOKLAND, OH 44144 34-1363915	ELIMINATE CANCER	501(c)(3)	Type III-O	NA	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS CAPITAL INC 3380 CHASTAIN MDWS PKWY KENNESAW, GA 30144 46-5429467	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	Type I	ACS CAN	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS DEVELOPMENT I INC 3380 CHASTAIN MDWS Pkwy KENNESAW, GA 30144 46-5439010	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	Type I	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC PUERTO RICO URB LA MRCD 566 CLL ALVERIO HATO REY, PR 00918 66-0321594	ELIMINATE CANCER	501(c)(3)	7	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
ACS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY II INC 3380 CHASTAIN MDWS PKWY KENNESAW, GA 30144 82-1993189	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	Type I	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00

Related organization	Primary activity	Subsection	PC status	Controlling entity?	512(b)(13) controlled entity?	Cash grants paid	Non-cash assistance
ACS CANCER ACTION NETWORK INC 555 11TH STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20004 52-2340031	ELIMINATE CANCER	501(C)(4)		ACS INC	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS DEVELOPMENT I INC 3380 CHASTAIN MEADOWS PKWY ST 200 KENNESAW, GA 30144 46-5439010	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	LINE 12A, I	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
ACS CAPITAL INC 3380 CHASTAIN MEADOWS PKWY ST 200 KENNESAW, GA 30144 46-5429467	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	LINE 12A, I	ACS CAN	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS PRODUCTS INC 3380 CHASTAIN MEADOWS PKWY ST 200 KENNESAW, GA 30144 02-0651055	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	LINE 12A, I	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC PUERTO RICO 566 CALLE CABO HERMOGENES ALVERIO HATO REY, PR 00918 66-0321594	ELIMINATE CANCER	501(C)(3)	LINE 7	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
THE JOSEPH S AND JEANNETTE M SILBER FDTN KEY TOWER 127 PUBLIC SQ NO 2000 CLEVELAND, OH 44114 34-1363915	ELIMINATE CANCER	501(C)(3)	LINE 12D, III-O		N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY II INC 3380 CHASTAIN MEADOWS PKWY ST 200 KENNESAW, GA 30144 82-1993189	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	LINE 12A, I	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00

Related organization	Primary activity	Subsection	PC status	Controlling entity?	512(b)(13) controlled entity?	Cash grants paid	Non-cash assistance
ACS CANCER ACTION NETWORK INC 555 11RH STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20004 52-1240031	ELIM CANCER	501(c)(4)	N/A	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
ACS DEVELOPMENT I INC 250 WILLIAMS ST NW STE 600 ATLANTA, GA 30303 46-5439010	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	12a	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
ACS CAPITAL INC 250 WILLIAMS ST NW STE 600 ATLANTA, GA 30303 46-5429467	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	12a	ACS CAN	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS PRODUCTS INC 250 WILLIAMS ST NW STE 400 ATLANTA, GA 30303 02-0651055	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	12A	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC PUERTO RICO 566 CABO ALVERIO STREET HATO REY, PR 00918 66-0321594	ELIM CANCER	501(c)(3)	7	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
THE JOSEPH AND JAEANETTE M SILBER FDTN 4900 TIEDEMAN RD OH-01-49015 BROOKLAND, OH 44144 34-1363915	ELIM CANCER	501(c)(3)	12D	NA	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY II INC 250 WILLIAMS ST NW STE 600 ATLANTA, GA 30303 82-1993189	SUPPORT ACS	501(c)(3)	12A	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00

Related organization	Primary activity	Subsection	PC status	Controlling entity?	512(b)(13) controlled entity?	Cash grants paid	Non-cash assistance
ACS Cancer Action Network Inc 555 11th Street NW Washington, DC 20004 52-2340031	ELIM. CANCER	501(c)(4)		ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
ACS Products Inc 250 Williams St NW STE 400 Atlanta, GA 30303 02-0651055	Support ACS	501(c)(3)	11a	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
The Joseph and Jeanette M Silber Fdtn 4900 Tiedeman Rd OH-01-49-015 Brookland, OH 44144 34-1363915	Support ACS	501(c)(3)	11d	NA	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS Capital Inc 250 Williams St NW STE 600 Atlanta, GA 30303 46-5429467	Support ACS	501(c)(3)	11a	ACS CAN	N	$0.00	$0.00
ACS Development Company I Inc 250 Williams ST NW STE 600 Atlanta, GA 30303 46-5439010	Support ACS	501(c)(3)	11a	ACS INC	Y	$0.00	$0.00
American Cancer Society Inc Puerto Rico 566 Cabo Alverio Street Hato Rey, PR 00918 66-0321594	ELIM. CANCER	501(c)(3)	7	ACS Inc	Y	$0.00	$0.00

Related organization	Primary activity	Subsection	PC status	Controlling entity?	512(b)(13) controlled entity?	Cash grants paid	Non-cash assistance
ACS CANCER ACTION NETWORK 555 11TH STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20004 52-2340031	ELIM. CANCER	501(C)(4)		ACS, INC.	Y	$0.00	$0.00
ACS PRODUCTS, INC 250 WILLIAMS STREET, NW ATLANTA, GA 30303 02-0651055	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	11A	ACS, INC.	Y	$0.00	$0.00
THE JOSEPH AND JEANETTE M SILBER FDTN 4900 TIEDEMAN RD OH-01-49-015 BROOKLAND, OH 44144 34-1363915	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	11A		N	$0.00	$0.00
AMER. CANCER SOC OF PUERTO RICO, INC PO BOX 366004 SAN JUAN, PR 00936-6004 66-0321594	ELIM CANCER	501(C)(3)	7		N	$0.00	$0.00

Related organization	Primary activity	Subsection	PC status	Controlling entity?	512(b)(13) controlled entity?	Cash grants paid	Non-cash assistance	Reason
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION AVE 901 E STREET NW WASHINGTON, GA 20004 52-2340031	ELIM CANCER	501(C)(4)				$0.00	$0.00
ACS PRODUCTS INC 250 WILLIAMS STREET NW ATLANTA, GA 30303 02-0651055	SUPPORT ACS	501(C)(3)	11A			$0.00	$0.00

American Cancer Society, Inc. Parent

Every Cancer. Every Life.

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

Our programs

Research

Patient Support

Advocacy

Where we work

Our results

Evaluation documents

Support to people facing cancer and their caregivers

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Research

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Improve access to care for those most likely to experience inadequate access to cancer treatment & support services by focus on patient navigation solutions and service programs that address barriers

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Goals & Strategy

Reports and documents

Charting impact

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

How we listen

Financials

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2022 info

1.77

Months of cash in 2022 info

0.8

Fringe rate in 2022 info

20%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

American Cancer Society, Inc.

American Cancer Society, Inc.

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

Chief Executive Officer

Karen Knudsen

Number of employees

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Compensation data

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Compensation data

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Board of directors data

Brian Marlow

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Liquidity in 2022

Months of cash in 2022

Fringe rate in 2022

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities