Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Organization Questions

What is Conquer Cancer^®, the ASCO Foundation?

Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, is a 501(c)(s) charitable organization that is improving the lives of people with cancer by raising much-needed funds to support and accelerate innovative and lifesaving research, education, and programs. Driven by the generosity of the global cancer community, we fund work with the highest likelihood of making a meaningful impact on the oncology landscape. Our network includes donors, physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and advocates around the world. Working together, we channel the expertise of the brightest minds in cancer research and care, thanks to our connection with our affiliate organization, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

What is Conquer Cancer’s mission?

Accelerate breakthroughs in lifesaving research and empower people everywhere to conquer cancer.

What is Conquer Cancer’s vision?

A world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy.

What is the American Society of Clinical Oncology?

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization for physicians and oncology professionals caring for people with cancer. ASCO fulfills its mission by conquering cancer through research, education, and promotion of the highest quality patient care. In 1999, ASCO leadership established Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, which funds groundbreaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer.

What makes Conquer Cancer different?

We support research and programs for every type of cancer, from the common to the rare.
We fund more early-career physician-scientists, without limits on geography or focus area, than any other independent cancer organization, worldwide.
We have direct access to the best and brightest oncology professionals because of our connection to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
We collaborate with other nonprofits around the world to fund lifesaving research.

Why early-career oncologists?

While Conquer Cancer provides grant and award funding for a full spectrum of experience levels, backgrounds, and specialties, we have a long history of supporting early-career oncologists through various programs, resources, and initiatives aimed at fostering their professional development, career advancement, and careers that advance cancer care.

In a field where turnover is often highest at the early-career stage, we aim to increase the likelihood that promising research will lead to lifesaving treatments, and to ensure a continuous stream of innovative ideas. In fact, 96% of Conquer Cancer grantees are still pursuing cancer research today.

How are grant and award recipients selected?

All Conquer Cancer research grants and awards are reviewed and evaluated carefully using consistent criteria across all applicants. Our award selection committees use review criteria that vary depending on the grant or award program. After a review committee identifies the most competitive applications, it then makes its funding decision based on the application scores and ranking. Only after the ranked applications are approved by the Conquer Cancer Board of Directors will certain groups of applications be considered for funding.

What is the impact of my donation?

Thanks to the contributions of our donors, researchers around the world are making advances in the treatment and prevention of cancer with:

$500M+ raised in support of research, education, and vital programs
9,800+ Grants & Awards provided
96 countries represented by Conquer Cancer Grants & Awards recipients

For more information about the impact of your support, you can view our latest Impact Report here.

How do I find your grantee/awardee information?

Our Recipient Database lists all awards, from 1984 to present, and is searchable by awardee name, institution, and subject area.

What types of research projects does Conquer Cancer fund?

We recognize that a discovery in one area can lead to breakthroughs in others. That’s why Conquer Cancer’s grant programs support basic, clinical and translational research across a wide range of cancer types and subject areas, including rare and underfunded cancers. Meet our Researchers and read about how they are working to conquer cancer with their Conquer Cancer-funded research.

Does Conquer Cancer support international cancer research and initiatives?

Yes. Conquer Cancer supports a portfolio of international programs and activities with a singular, shared focus: to achieve better care for patients with cancer worldwide and improve patient outcomes. With more than 50,000 members in more than 170 countries, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, are uniquely positioned to respond to the global cancer burden through programs focused on leadership development, education, quality improvement, and research to improve outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. The Global Impact Fund provides a collective opportunity to support ASCO’s and Conquer Cancer’s efforts to deliver information and provide the experience needed by the global oncology community to reduce the burden of cancer.

Tax-Related Questions

Is Conquer Cancer a tax-exempt organization?

Yes, the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

What is Conquer Cancer’s federal tax ID number?

Our Federal Tax ID number (also known as an EIN, Employer Identification Number) is 31-1667995.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes, donations to Conquer Cancer are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, as long as no goods or services were exchanged. You will receive an email confirmation immediately after submitting your donation, and this email can serve as a receipt for tax purposes.

Donation Questions

What methods of payment does Conquer Cancer accept?

You can donate to Conquer Cancer through our website using the following payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo, and a Donor-Advised Fund.

For online donations, a printable receipt is sent via email within minutes of a successful transaction.

Can I donate over the phone or by mail?

You can make a donation over the phone Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET. To do so, please call 571-483-1700 and our team will be happy to assist you. Please note the office is closed on federal holidays.

You can send a printable donation form and a personal check or money order payable to:

Conquer Cancer
PO BOX 1925
MERRIFIELD, VA 22116-9649

We do not advise sending cash through the mail, as funds can be lost in transit.

Receipts for mail or phone donations are typically sent within 48 hours of receipt of your gift.

Does Conquer Cancer accept gifts of non-cash assets, such as Donor-Advised Funds, IRA, and Stocks?

Yes. Conquer Cancer does accept gifts of non-cash assets, including:

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF),
Individual Retirement Account (IRA),
Publicly held stock, or
Other gifts

To discuss these opportunities for giving to Conquer Cancer, please contact Judith L. Spiegel at 571-483-1459 or Judith.Spiegel@conquer.org.

How can I request a copy of my donation receipt?

Please send an email to support@conquer.org with your first and last name. You can also call 571-483-1700 to request a copy of your receipt.

I live outside of the United States. Can I donate to Conquer Cancer?

Donors from outside the U.S. can make a gift. If making an online gift, please make sure the credit card is supported by a U.S. based card company or pay via the PayPal option. Our online donation system is designed to protect donor security and privacy and prevent fraudulent use. If you would like to make a wire transfer gift, please contact us at 571-483-1700.

Is my donation secure?

Your security is important to us, and we take every measure to ensure your information is protected. Conquer Cancer’s donation process complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The process is fully encrypted using industry best practices to ensure your personal and credit card information is kept private and secure.

Can I make a donation without being added to Conquer Cancer’s email or mailing list?

While we need your contact information to process a credit card donation, we will honor your request not to contact you, other than to send you a receipt for your donation.

If you do not want to receive communication from Conquer Cancer:

If you receive an email from Conquer Cancer, click “unsubscribe” from the bottom of the email.
At any time, you can email support@conquer.org or call 571-483-1700, and we will remove you from our mailing list.

I’m an individual donor to Conquer Cancer. Where can I find my name listed as a donor?

Your trust and confidence are important to us. In an effort to provide the utmost protection for our donors’ privacy, Conquer Cancer does not list names of individual donors and the names of individuals honored or remembered by our generous donors on our website. If you have any questions, please email support@conquer.org or call 571-483-1700.

How will my donation be used?

Your donation will help improve the lives of people affected by cancer by funding breakthrough research worldwide, supporting education and training for cancer professionals and sharing cutting-edge cancer knowledge with patients and their families. If you are interested in designating your gift to a specific program or type of cancer research, please call us at 571-483-1700.

What is the breakdown of how you spend your money?

The latest financial information is found on the Conquer Cancer website here. As proof that Conquer Cancer is meeting the highest standards for efficiency, transparency, and fiscal responsibility, we have a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly Guidestar).

Monthly Giving Questions

Can I make monthly, automatic donations to Conquer Cancer?

Yes. You can join our exclusive sustainer giving society, the Conquerors Community. Monthly giving is an efficient and effective way to help conquer cancer every month of the year. Monthly gifts to Conquer Cancer are processed automatically, which helps to reduce costs and allows your donation to have the greatest possible impact in advancing the prevention, treatment, and cure of cancer.

Use our safe and secure online form to join the Conquerors Community
Talk with someone about a monthly donation, please call 571-483-1700 and ask to speak with a member of our Annual Giving team

I signed up to make monthly donations to Conquer Cancer. When will my donation be taken out?

When you make your initial monthly gift, the amount will be deducted at that time and on that same day monthly thereafter. If you would like to change the date of your future gifts, please call 571-483-1700 or email support@conquer.org.

Is there a minimum gift I have to make to become a monthly donor?

We appreciate all size gifts; however, to offset transaction costs we request a minimum $5 monthly commitment.

I made a mistake! Can I cancel my gift before I get charged for future monthly donations?

Yes, please call 571-483-1700, and we will adjust your gift from monthly to one-time.

How do I update or cancel my monthly donor information?

You can cancel or modify or cancel your monthly donation at any time. If you would like to make a change to your monthly donation or update your personal information, click here to do it online or call 571-483-1700 or email support@conquer.org.

How can I obtain a refund for my donation or purchase?

Conquer Cancer is able to refund your donation in full or in part, within thirty days. To do so, please forward the email confirmation you received to support@conquer.org. We will issue a refund using your original method of payment and notify you when the refund has been processed. We appreciate your commitment to conquering cancer and hope you'll continue to support us in the future.

Memorial Giving Questions

How do I make a donation in honor or memory of someone?

A tribute gift is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give — a gift to help fund cancer research and programs in honor or memory of someone important to you. On the donation form, simply complete the information in the prompted section.

Is the family notified of my donation amount?

You can choose to have an eCard or a mailed acknowledgement of your donation sent to the honoree or family acknowledging your gift. The amount of money donated through memorial or honor donations is kept confidential. 

Planned Giving Questions

How can I include Conquer Cancer in my estate plans?

If you would like to extend your support of Conquer Cancer to make a lasting impact, there are several gift arrangements to choose from such as gifts tied to your estate, life income gifts, a charitable lead trust, and naming Conquer Cancer as a beneficiary of your retirement or insurance plan. Answer a few simple questions and we'll point you down the right path. Also, please consult your financial advisor to determine the right option for you.

For inquiries regarding your planned gift, call 571-483-1700 or email support@conquer.org and ask to be connected to our Planned Giving team.

Can I donate stock to Conquer Cancer?

Yes. Publicly traded securities can be transferred electronically to Conquer Cancer in two easy steps:

Please contact Conquer Cancer at 571-483-1700 and provide the following:
Your name
The name of the stock and the number of shares to be transferred
The name and contact information of your brokerage firm
The purpose of your gift*

*This step is essential for us to identify your stock when it arrives, credit your giving record, and properly acknowledge your generosity.

Please give your broker/agent the following information so that your shares may be directly transferred into our account:
Vanguard
DTC Number: 0062
Brokerage account name: Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Brokerage number: 63720384
Indicate Donor Name, Cost Basis Information

Can I donate to Conquer Cancer via my IRA?

If you are age 70 ½ or older, you may be able to donate up to the IRS-established yearly maximum amount from your IRA directly to Conquer Cancer. Commonly called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), potential benefits include paying reduced or no income tax on the gift and lowering your reported annual income level. This gift may also satisfy part or all of a required minimum distribution (RMD).

Click here to learn more about IRA giving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation