Susan G. Komen
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Susan G. Komen meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 1.
Mailing List Removal
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 1.
(This complaint involves and individual seeking to have his or her name and contact information removed from the organization's mailing list.)
Stated Purpose:
"to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer."
Year, State Incorporated:
1982, TX
Susan G. Komen (Komen) reports that it works in the United States and worldwide to fight breast cancer and advocate for policies to protect patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient navigation and support services, and distribute information relating to breast cancer. The organization offers patient care through the provision of breast health education, breast cancer patient navigation services, and financial assistance for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment programs. Komen's research and scientific programs and grants award research institutions and nonprofit organizations to support breast cancer research projects. In addition, the organization advocates for public policy and breast cancer related initiatives to ensure early access to care, alleviate administrative burdens, and increase funding for breast cancer research. In 2025, Komen states that 42,895 direct patient services were provided to 35,904 individuals, with an additional 17,087 individuals receiving financial assistance. In addition, the organization reports holding 900 meetings with policymakers, organizing 181 education events, and adding 26 new products to the research pipeline.
For the year ended March 31, 2025, Susan G. Komen's program expenses were:
| Patient care | $78,582,285 |
| Research | $18,085,050 |
| Advocacy | $5,753,935 |
| Total Program Expenses | $102,421,270 |
Chief Executive
Paula Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$688,812
Chair of the Board
Ed Dandridge
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, AIG
Board Size
14
Paid Staff Size
418
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Workplace Giving, Cryptocurrency
Komen incurred joint costs of $52,988,073 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $36,627,365 was allocated to program expenses, $15,021,824 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $1,338,884 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 21% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $129,344,868, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Susan G. Komen's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Restricted investment funds, sponsorships, and race entry fees, net | $94,560,538 |
| In-kind contributions | $34,784,330 |
| Realized and unrealized gain on investments, net | $4,623,819 |
| Interest and dividends | $2,374,124 |
| Other income | $158,635 |
| Total Income | $136,501,446 |
Programs: 72% Fundraising: 19% Administrative: 9%
| Total Income | $136,501,446 |
| Total expenses: | $141,924,509 |
| Program expenses | $102,421,270 |
| Fundraising expenses | $26,838,022 |
| Administrative expenses | $12,665,217 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-5,423,063 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $129,529,954 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $124,106,891 |
| Total Liabilities | $54,765,664 |
| Total Assets | $178,872,555 |
Note: According to Komen's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025, the organization received $34,784,330 in contributed goods and services including public service accouncements and advertising ($33,211,684), special event support ($1,223,150), legal services ($217,841), and occupancy ($131,655).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance