954418411 · CA ↑ parent cluster ·
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PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION

CA · EIN 954418411 · $71.9M rev · grantmaker · research · www.pcf.org
profile

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding cutting-edge prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken after his own diagnosis, PCF has raised over $1 billion to support more than 2,600 research projects at leading cancer centers worldwide. The organization accelerates medical breakthroughs by funding high-risk, high-reward science and fostering collaboration across academia and industry.

activities · 46

what they do

advocacy · 5
  • Advocate for increased government funding for cancer research Advocacy for Federal Research Funding
    Played a key role in organizing the 1998 March on Washington that led to legislation doubling the NIH budget over five years and contributed to a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer research.
  • Advocate for increased government research funding Advocacy for Federal Research Funding
    Played a key role in the 1998 March on Washington that led to legislation doubling the NIH budget over five years and contributed to a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer research.
  • Advocates for increased government funding for prostate cancer research Advocacy for Federal Research Funding
    Played a key role in the 1998 March on Washington that led to legislation doubling the NIH budget over five years and has contributed to a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer research.
  • Advocating for Research Funding Advocacy for Federal Research Funding
    The organization advocates for increased government funding for prostate cancer research, playing a key role in organizing the 1998 March on Washington which led to legislation doubling the NIH budget and contributing to a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer research.
  • Advocating for increased government research funding Advocacy for Federal Research Funding
    Played a pivotal role in advocacy efforts that led to the doubling of the NIH budget over five years following the 1998 March on Washington and contributed to a 20-fold increase in federal funding for prostate cancer research.
research · 24
  • Advancing Prostate Cancer Treatment Development Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    The organization funds research that has led to significant advancements in prostate cancer treatment, including the development of 14 new therapies, the creation of a genetic map of advanced prostate cancer, and the FDA approval of PARP inhibitors and PSMA-targeted radioligand therapies.
  • Conducting Clinical Trials and Genetic Mapping Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    The organization funds clinical trials for PSMA-targeted radioligand therapies and has created a genetic map of advanced prostate cancer, identifying actionable tumor mutations in over 90% of patients.
  • Conducts foundational genomic research on prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Created a genetic map of advanced prostate cancer that identified actionable tumor mutations in more than 90 percent of patients, enabling precision oncology advances.
  • Convening annual scientific retreats for research dissemination
    Hosts an annual Scientific Retreat that includes scientific presentations, lectures, panel discussions, and poster sessions to share recent research findings; the 2025 retreat featured 49 sessions.
  • Fund and conduct prostate cancer research Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Conducts and funds high-risk, high-reward research to develop effective treatments for prostate cancer, including supporting over 2,615 research projects at 312 cancer centers across 29 countries and investing over $1 billion in research since inception.
  • Fund and conduct prostate cancer research Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Conducts and funds high-risk, high-reward research to develop effective treatments for prostate cancer, including supporting over 2,615 research projects at 312 cancer centers across 29 countries and contributing to a 50% reduction in prostate cancer death rates since the foundation's founding.
  • Funding Prostate Cancer Research Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    The organization raises and distributes over $1 billion to fund more than 2,615 research projects at 312 cancer centers across 29 countries, focusing on high-risk, high-reward research that has contributed to the development of 14 FDA-approved therapies for prostate cancer.
  • Funding prostate cancer research projects globally Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Funds high-risk, high-reward prostate cancer research worldwide, having raised over $1 billion to support more than 2,615 research projects at 312 cancer centers across 29 countries.
  • Funds prostate cancer research projects globally Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Has raised over $1 billion to fund more than 2,615 research projects at 312 cancer centers across 29 countries, supporting high-risk, high-reward research and contributing to major therapeutic advances.
  • Host scientific conferences and research dissemination events Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    Hosts annual scientific retreats featuring scientific presentations, lectures, panel discussions, and poster sessions to share recent prostate cancer research findings; hosted 49 such events at the 32nd Annual Scientific Retreat in 2025.
  • Launch large-scale collaborative research initiatives Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Launched the PCF TACTICAL Awards in 2022 to fund large-scale collaborative projects with $5–$10 million over three years, focused on developing advanced therapies for lethal prostate cancer.
  • Launch large-scale collaborative research initiatives Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Launched the PCF TACTICAL Awards in 2022 to fund large-scale, multi-institutional collaborative projects with $5–$10 million over three years aimed at developing advanced therapies for lethal prostate cancer.
  • Map genetic mutations in advanced prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Funded research that created a genetic map of advanced prostate cancer, identifying actionable tumor mutations in more than 90% of patients, enabling precision oncology approaches.
  • Map genetic profiles of advanced prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Funded research that created a genetic map of advanced prostate cancer, identifying actionable tumor mutations in more than 90% of patients, enabling precision oncology approaches.
  • Mapping the genetic landscape of advanced prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Funded research that created a comprehensive genetic map of advanced prostate cancer, identifying actionable tumor mutations in more than 90% of patients, enabling precision treatment approaches.
  • Partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    The organization partners with the Department of Veterans Affairs to prevent, screen, and advance research for prostate cancer among Veterans.
  • Reducing prostate cancer mortality through research advances Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Attributed with reducing the U.S. prostate cancer death rate by 50% since its founding and helping avert approximately 1.5 million prostate cancer deaths globally through supported research advances.
  • Support cross-cancer therapeutic breakthroughs
    Provided significant funding to promising researchers through medical research awards, including support for Dr. Dennis Slamon’s discovery of Herceptin for breast cancer treatment.
  • Support development of FDA-approved prostate cancer therapies Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Funded research that contributed to the development and FDA approval of 14 new prostate cancer therapies, including PARP inhibitors (approved starting in 2020) and the PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy 177lutetium-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto®), approved in March 2022.
  • Support development of FDA-approved prostate cancer therapies Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Has supported the development and FDA approval of 14 new prostate cancer therapies, including PARP inhibitors and the first-in-class PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy 177lutetium-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto®), with ongoing funding for clinical trials testing these therapies across disease states.
  • Supporting Collaborative Research Initiatives Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    The organization invests in collaborative research initiatives, such as a $45 million consortium of 13 leading cancer centers and the PCF TACTICAL Awards, to accelerate prostate cancer research and develop advanced therapies for lethal prostate cancer.
  • Supporting clinical trials of novel prostate cancer therapies Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Currently funds clinical trials led by PCF-supported investigators to evaluate PSMA-targeted radioligand therapies across various stages of prostate cancer.
  • Supporting development of FDA-approved prostate cancer therapies Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Provided critical funding that contributed to the development and FDA approval of 14 new prostate cancer treatments, including PARP inhibitors (approved starting in 2020) and the PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy Pluvicto® (approved March 2022).
  • Supports development of FDA-approved prostate cancer therapies Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Funded research that contributed to the development and approval of 14 new prostate cancer therapies, including PARP inhibitors and the PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy 177lutetium-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto®), with ongoing clinical trials in various disease states.
capacity building · 17
  • Accelerating large-scale collaborative research initiatives Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Launches and funds large-scale collaborative research programs, such as the TACTICAL Awards (launched in 2022) providing $5–$10 million over three years, and a $45 million investment in a consortium of 13 leading cancer centers to accelerate research and deliver patient outcomes.
  • Advancing precision oncology research in Veterans Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Partners with the Department of Veterans Affairs to advance precision oncology research and treatment, establishing 21 PCF-VA Centers of Excellence focused on prostate cancer prevention, screening, and research among Veterans.
  • Establish precision oncology centers of excellence with the VA Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish 21 PCF-VA Centers of Excellence (updated from initial 14) focused on advancing precision oncology research and treatment for prostate cancer among Veterans.
  • Establishes precision oncology Centers of Excellence with the VA Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish 14 (later expanded to 21) PCF-VA Centers of Excellence focused on advancing precision oncology research and treatment for prostate cancer among Veterans.
  • Establishing Centers of Excellence Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    The organization establishes PCF-VA Centers of Excellence, including 21 precision oncology centers, to advance precision oncology research and treatment for prostate cancer, particularly among Veterans.
  • Host scientific forums and networking events Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    Hosts the annual Scientific Retreat featuring scientific presentations, lectures, and panel discussions; facilitates poster sessions and hosts specialized forums such as the Young Investigator Forum and the Gender Equity Networking Initiative (GENI) Forum to support researcher development and collaboration.
  • Hosting scientific forums and investigator training programs Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    Organizes annual scientific and professional development forums including the Young Investigator Forum for early-career researchers (2022–2026 cohorts) and the Gender Equity Networking Initiative (GENI) Forum, fostering collaboration and career advancement in prostate cancer research.
  • Hosts scientific forums and networking events for researchers Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    Organizes annual events including the Scientific Retreat featuring presentations and panel discussions, the Gender Equity Networking Initiative (GENI) Forum, and the Young Investigator Forum to support collaboration and professional development among funded researchers.
  • Invest in collaborative cancer research consortia Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Invested over $45 million in a consortium of 13 leading cancer centers to accelerate prostate cancer research and deliver results to patients.
  • Invest in collaborative research consortia Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Invested over $45 million in a consortium of 13 leading cancer centers to accelerate prostate cancer research and deliver faster results to patients.
  • Invests in large-scale collaborative research initiatives Prostate Cancer Research Funding
    Launched the PCF TACTICAL Awards in 2022 to provide $5–$10 million over three years for large-scale collaborative projects, and invested over $45 million in a consortium of 13 leading cancer centers to accelerate research and deliver results to patients.
  • Organizing Scientific Conferences and Forums Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    The organization hosts scientific events, including annual Scientific Retreats with presentations and poster sessions on prostate cancer research, and forums like the Gender Equity Networking Initiative (GENI) and Young Investigator Forum for researchers.
  • Organizing Scientific Conferences and Forums Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    The organization hosts scientific events, including annual Scientific Retreats with presentations and poster sessions on prostate cancer research, the Gender Equity Networking Initiative (GENI) Forum, and the Young Investigator Forum for PCF-funded researchers.
  • Partner with the VA to advance prostate cancer research Prostate Cancer Precision Therapy Development
    Established 21 PCF-VA Centers of Excellence in precision oncology and partners with the Department of Veterans Affairs to prevent, screen, and advance prostate cancer research among Veterans.
  • Promote gender equity in cancer research Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    Organizes the annual Gender Equity Networking Initiative (GENI) Forum, with the 11th edition held in 2026, to advance gender equity in the field of cancer research.
  • Recruit and support scientific leadership
    Recruited Dr. Jonathan Simons as CEO to lead the foundation for fourteen years, strengthening scientific leadership and strategic direction.
  • Support early-career prostate cancer researchers Scientific Retreats and Researcher Forums
    Hosts the Young Investigator Forum for PCF-funded early-career researchers (2022–2026 cohorts) to support professional development and collaboration.
strategies · 55

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.

named programs · 7

what they call their work

Annual Scientific Retreat
Gathering of emerging and established scientists to exchange ideas, collaborate, and connect with industry leaders
Competitive Awards Program
Streamlined funding process with short applications and 90-day approvals to support high-risk, high-reward prostate cancer research projects
PCF Dream Teams
Funds large-scale, multi-institution collaborative research projects to answer fundamental questions in prostate cancer
PCF Global Knowledge Exchange
Platform for the research community to continuously share breakthroughs and address key challenges in prostate cancer research
PCF TACTICAL Awards
Provides $5–$10 million over three years to support large-scale collaborative projects developing advanced therapies for lethal prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium
Consortium of 13 leading cancer centers funded by PCF to maintain infrastructure for impactful prostate cancer clinical trials
Young Investigator Program
Provides financial support, leadership opportunities, and mentorship to early-career scientists in prostate cancer research
relationships · 16

who they work with

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Partner — Collaborated with Dr. Stuart Holden at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for prostate cancer treatment and clinical guidance.
  • Charity Navigator Government — Rated the Prostate Cancer Foundation with a 100% score and Four-Star Rating.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Partner — Collaborates with PCF on prostate cancer prevention, screening, and research initiatives for Veterans.
  • Dream Teams Partner — Multi-institution research collaborations funded by PCF to address fundamental questions in prostate cancer.
  • John and Daria Barry Foundation Funder — Provided a $2.5 million gift to establish a Precision Oncology Center of Excellence for U.S. Veterans at the Manhattan VA in partnership with PCF.
  • Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Partner — Engaged with specialists at Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute, including Dr. Patrick Walsh and Dr. Donald Coffey, for prostate cancer research and treatment insights.
  • Legends of Basketball Partner — Partnership on the "Check the Box!" prostate cancer awareness initiative featuring basketball legends promoting PSA screening.
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center Partner — Participated in diagnostic evaluations and consultations at MD Anderson Cancer Center, including with Dr. Andy von Eschenbach and Dr. Christopher Logothetis.
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Partner — Consulted with Dr. Howard Scher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for specialized prostate cancer treatment and research guidance.
  • Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Partner — Launched the "Check the Box!" initiative to normalize conversations around prostate health and encourage early detection.
  • Novartis Partner — Partnered on the national awareness campaign "Relax, it’s a Blood Test."
  • Omni La Costa Partner — Host venue for the PCF Annual Scientific Retreat in 2026.
  • Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium Partner — Collaborative network of 13 leading cancer centers supported by PCF to maintain infrastructure for conducting prostate cancer clinical trials.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Partner — $65 million public-private partnership to establish PCF-VA Centers of Excellence for precision oncology research and treatment.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Partner — Co-established 21 PCF-VA precision oncology Centers of Excellence.
  • UCLA Partner — Consulted with Dr. David Heber at UCLA for nutritional intervention as part of cancer treatment.