Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
MRAF does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization held three meetings in 2018, the meetings were not spaced throughout the year. Two meetings occurred within 30 days of each other.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
MRAF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.
Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
2007, DE
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Also Known As
Melanoma Research Alliance
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Stated Purpose
"to end suffering and death due to melanoma by collaborating with all stakeholders to accelerate powerful research, advance cures for all patients, and prevent more melanomas."
Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation (MRAF) reports that it works to support research projects initiated by individual scientists and science research teams, to prevent, detect, and treat melanoma. The organization collaborates with individuals, private foundations, and corporations to not only increase public knowledge about melanoma and ways to reduce risk and improve early detection, but also to expand research topics to include causes of carcinogenesis, skin screening, biomarkers, imaging, immunotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy, and combination therapy. MRAF also supports advancing research through patient engagement programs focused on clinical trials. To further these efforts, the organization maintains an on-line moderated community of nearly 1,700 individuals to discuss melanoma research and clinical trials and engages in social marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of clinical trials. MRAF states that it annually holds a scientific retreat for more than 300 physician scientists, government representatives, pharmaceuticals representatives, patients, and non-profit representatives to discuss scientific advancements and the organization's research portfolio. The organization also hosts a patient forum to help educate patients on treatment options, clinical trials, and other issues of importance to patients and their loved ones. In 2018, MRAF reports that it awarded 31 research grants.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$15,516,723 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$15,516,723 |
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Chief Executive
Michael Kaplan, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$353,506
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Chair of the Board
Debra Black
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Founder, Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation
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Board Size
23
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Paid Staff Size
9
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Other
Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $5,476,601 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 Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$2,923,456 |
| Special events, net |
$2,038,435 |
| Sponsorships |
$514,710 |
| Investment return, net |
$114,094 |
| Write-off of uncollectible pledges |
($28,091) |
| Total Income |
$5,562,604 |
- Programs: 95%
- Fundraising: 3%
- Administrative: 2%
| Total Income |
$5,562,604 |
| Program expenses |
$15,516,723 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$542,225 |
| Administrative expenses |
$346,024 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$16,404,972 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-10,842,368 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$30,366,483 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$19,524,115 |
| Total Liabilities |
$17,748,650 |
| Total Assets |
$37,272,765 |