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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: May 2026 Expires: May 2028

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
8
(800) 354-7273
2151 Michelson Drive, Suite 180
Irvine, CA, 92612
https://pcrf-kids.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

PCRF does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to the organization's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the organization spent $2,261,147 or 60% of its total expenses on programs.

In response to this finding, the charity stated:

"PCRF's program expense ratio of 60%, slightly below the 65% benchmark, reflects a deliberate strategic investment phase for the organization. During this period, we are reinvesting resources into infrastructure, staffing, fundraising capacity, and operational systems designed to strengthen long-term sustainability and increase future revenue generation. These investments are intended to position the organization to significantly expand the dollars directed to our mission and programmatic impact in the years ahead."

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to fund research to power cures that reduce the percentage of children who perish from cancers until that number reaches zero."

Year, State Incorporated:
1982, CA

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) raises funds to accelerate pediatric cancer research at all stages, reduce treatment-related toxicity, and improve quality of life for patients and survivors. PCRF works with doctors, researchers, and nurses to identify the specific challenges they face in bringing new treatments to and caring for children with cancer. The organization awards four types of grants: emerging investigator fellowship grants, translational research grants, legacy researcher grants, and designated grant programs. PCRF also awards scholarships to undergraduate and post-graduate students annually across the United States to support childhood cancer survivors and post graduate education for survivors of pediatric cancer.

For the year ended June 30, 2025, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's program expenses were:

Pediatric cancer research $2,261,147
Total Program Expenses $2,261,147

Chief Executive
Danielle Fragalla, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$209,723

Chair of the Board
Steve Giusto

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Chief Executive Officer, Purposely

Board Size
19

Paid Staff Size
11

*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.), Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Workplace Giving, Cryptocurrency

Fundraising costs were 30% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,177,645, 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 Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025.

Source of Funds
Special events, net $2,362,384
Contributions $1,797,887
Investment income, net $91,644
In-kind contributions $17,374
Total Income $4,269,289

Programs: 60% Fundraising: 33% Administrative: 7%

Total Income $4,269,289
Total expenses: $3,747,617
  Program expenses $2,261,147
  Fundraising expenses $1,239,573
  Administrative expenses $246,897
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $521,672
Beginning Net Assets $1,190,249
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,711,921
Total Liabilities $1,971,248
Total Assets $3,683,169

Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements ended June 30, 2025, PCRF received in-kind contributions totaling $150,170 in the form of gift cards ($65,154), food ($38,477), special event auction items ($17,375), marketing services ($17,374), and clothing and household goods ($11,790).

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

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance