named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Ashley Trenner Research Grant Award
$50,000 grant supporting research in melanoma immunology, metabolic pathways, and nutritional influences on anti-cancer immunity
Dr. Marcia Robbins-Wilf Research Grant Award
$25,000 grant funding innovative research in skin cancer biology, prevention, and treatment, with emphasis on high-risk populations and novel therapeutic approaches
Research Grants Program
Annual grant program awarding up to $50,000 for one-year research projects in skin cancer prevention, detection, or treatment, primarily for early-career dermatology investigators in U.S. academic institutions
Todd Nagel Memorial Research Grant Award
$50,000 grant supporting research on high-risk skin cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, with focus on immunotherapy and detection
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Skin Cancer Screening and Education 3 activities
- Delivering targeted educational programs for youth and professionalsDevelops and delivers specialized education programs including Sun Smart U and CDC-aligned interactive lesson plans for middle and high school students, and the Heads Up! program that trains beauty professionals to identify suspicious skin lesions. Organizes educational events where dermatologists teach beauty professionals about early warning signs and client communication.
- Operating free skin cancer screening programsRuns a mobile screening program using a customized RV and volunteer dermatologists to provide free full-body skin cancer screenings across the United States. Conducted 1,467 screenings identifying 509 potential skin cancers and precancers (including 27 suspected melanomas), with nearly 13,000 total potential cancers and precancers identified to date, including 615 suspected melanomas.
- Providing public and medical education on skin cancerDelivers comprehensive education to the public and medical community about skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment through evidence-based resources, including brochures, blogs, newsletters, and an annual award-winning Journal medically reviewed by experts. Content covers sun protection, identifying early-stage cancers, managing sunburn, and healing practices.
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Cancer Research Funding 2 activities
- Building professional capacity in dermatologyHosts international programs that educate dermatologists worldwide on breakthroughs in skin cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and provides organizational leadership to advance the foundation’s mission through strategic direction.
- Conducting skin cancer research and funding research grantsConducts and funds scientific research on the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer. Evaluates hundreds of research proposals annually from dermatology trainees and early-career faculty, awarding two $50,000 and one $25,000 grant each year, with over $3.5 million in research grants funded since 1981.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advancing skin cancer prevention policy and collaborationCo-founded and participates in the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to drive collaborative advocacy efforts, and partners with technical consultants from the window-film industry to promote adoption of UV-protective window film as a public health measure.
- Reviewing and recommending sun protection productsReviews scientific data for sun protection products and window films seeking The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, and provides publicly accessible lists of UV-blocking window films and other recommended products to support informed consumer choices.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$20.75M
Contributions & grants$20.40M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$328K2%
Other revenue$24K
expenses
Total expenses$20.94M
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead2%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$8.63M
Cash$554K
Investments$6.00M
Liabilities$2.81M
Net assets$5.82M
Liquid reserves3.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +3.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- BENNETT WEINER ESQ — GENERAL COUNSEL
- DEBORAH SARNOFF MD — PRESIDENT
- ELIZABETH ROBINS ESQ — SECRETARY
- PERRY ROBINS MD — CHAIRMAN
- REX A AMONETTE MD — SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Government — Aligns the Sun Smart U education program with CDC National Health Education Standards.
- Charity Navigator Government — Rated The Skin Cancer Foundation as a Four-Star Charity
- Corporate Council Partner — Group of approximately 100 U.S. and international companies supporting the Foundation's programs and sun safety initiatives
- Corporate Council Partner — Group of over 100 U.S. and international companies providing financial and strategic support to advance the Foundation's mission.
- Cosmetique Dermatology, Laser & Plastic Surgery LLP Partner — Collaborates with the organization through shared leadership; its codirector serves as president of The Skin Cancer Foundation.
- David Polsky, MD, PhD Partner — Longtime Chair of the Research Grants Committee
- Grady Health System Partner — Collaborates on skin cancer treatment and patient education initiatives.
- Grants.gov Government — Lists the organization on Grants.gov as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity
- Great Nonprofits Government — Recognized The Skin Cancer Foundation as a 2025 Top Rated Nonprofit
- Harvard Medical School Partner — Collaborates with or references research from Harvard Medical School through the Fitzpatrick Skin Type classification system.
- International Window Film Association Partner — Collaborates with the International Window Film Association through a shared technical consultant to promote UV-protective window film adoption.
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine Partner — Hosts a key leader of the organization as clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology.
- National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention Coalition — Founding member of a coalition focused on collaborative skin cancer prevention and advocacy initiatives.
- corporate partners Partner — Collaborates with corporate partners to develop and distribute skin cancer prevention and treatment programs
- donors Partner — Works with donors to support the development and distribution of skin cancer programs
- members of the media Partner — Engages media professionals to help distribute skin cancer awareness and education programs
- physicians Partner — Collaborates with physicians to develop and distribute skin cancer prevention and treatment programs
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Catalyzing Innovation Through Early-Career Research Fundingmethodology: early_career_research_fundingBy funding early-career researchers, the organization accelerates innovation in skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment because seed funding enables high-risk, high-reward research that larger institutions often overlook.
- Expert-Validated Education and Product Endorsementmethodology: expert_review_seal_programBy using expert scientific review to inform public education and product recommendations, the organization builds consumer trust and drives adoption of effective sun-safe products and practices because credibility enhances message uptake and compliance.
- Proactive Prevention and Early Detectionmethodology: proactive_prevention_and_early_detectionBy promoting daily sun protection and routine skin self-checks, the organization reduces skin cancer incidence and mortality because early detection and consistent preventive behaviors improve treatment outcomes and increase cure rates.