TargetCancer Foundation

By granting seed funding to critical projects that would otherwise not be supported at their initial stages, TargetCancer Foundation supports young, courageous scientists who are committed to finding effective new therapies for rare cancers. TargetCancer Foundation seeks to support the most innovative research with the greatest potential for rapid translation to approved therapies for rare cancers. TargetCancer Foundation also seeks to support patients directly through financial assistance, as well as clinical trial guidance.

By choosing the right grant recipients and building collaborations between them, TargetCancer Foundation is making a major impact with relatively small grants. These collaborations, which may not otherwise happen without TargetCancer Foundation's facilitation, are leading to results in months that could otherwise take years.

Over the past four years TargetCancer Foundation has built a solid infrastructure that provides a foundation by which it will continue to successfully grow in the years to come. Among many other areas, this especially applies to:
- Active and substantial fundraising, through an annual gala and other events.
- Effective governance through an active and well functioning Board.
- An active Scientific Advisory Board who guides TargetCancer Foundation on both specific funding requests and general organizational direction.
- A dedicated group of volunteers who advocate on behalf of TargetCancer Foundation and the populations that it serves.

In February 2016, TargetCancer Foundation announced a new round of rare cancer research grant funding, with $200,000 in new grants supporting research into cholangiocarcinoma and esophageal cancer.

In addition, TargetCancer Foundation announced the launch of a new Patient Assistance Fund, which provides direct financial assistance for expenses incurred when participating in rare cancer clinical trials.

2016 also saw the launch of the Evan Schumacher Fund for Rare Cancer Research, TargetCancer Foundation's first managed fund. Founded in memory of Evan Schumacher, this fund honors his legacy by funding innovative rare cancer research projects.