American Cancer Society
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
American Cancer Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer."
Year, State Incorporated:
1922, NY
American Cancer Society (ACS) awards grants to academic institutions and professionals in the fields of medicine and science for investigations into the causes, prevention, and cure of cancer. Research staff at ACS analyze trends in cancer occurrence, risk factors, screening, and supply epidemiologic support for the monitoring of international tobacco production, consumption, associated health consequences, and oversee behavioral studies on areas such as family dynamics, minority issues, and communication between physicians and patients. The organization also coordinates an educational, advocacy, and media campaign to help adults and children lower their risks of contracting cancer. Furthermore, ACS reports that through its advocacy work in conjunction with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, it delivers a message to elected leaders that fighting cancer must be a national priority. Its grassroots advocacy volunteers work with lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels to support legislation protecting patients' rights and to safeguard public health. In addition to providing informational materials to the public and health professionals, ACS issues guidelines for forms of cancer pertaining to diagnosis, care options, symptom management, pain control, and related aspects. Some ($68,348,000 or 12%) of ACS's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, American Cancer Society's program expenses were:
| Patient support | $354,407,000 |
| Advocacy | $46,428,000 |
| Discovery | $165,813,000 |
| Total Program Expenses | $566,648,000 |
Chief Executive
Karen E. Knudsen, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$725,078
Chair of the Board
Brian A. Marlow
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, KeyBank's South Puget Sound Market
Board Size
21
Paid Staff Size
2943
*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances. A potion of Ms. Knudsen's salary comes from a related organization. Jung H. Ki was the outgoing Chief Operating Officer during 2021 and received compensation of $984,898.
Note: Jung H. Ki, Former Chief Operating Officer, was the highest paid employee, recieivng $984,898 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation
ACS incurred joint costs of $97,649,000 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $68,348,000 was allocated to program expenses, $27,738,000 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $1,563,000 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $693,175,000, 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 American Cancer Society's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Source of Funds
| Change in value of split-interest agreements | $-68,480,000 |
| Investment loss | $-65,094,000 |
| Other losses | $-9,302,000 |
| Grants and contracts from government agencies | $5,674,000 |
| Other income | $15,544,000 |
| In-kind contributions | $62,692,000 |
| Special events | $170,843,000 |
| Bequests | $182,032,000 |
| Contributions | $256,390,000 |
| Total Income | $550,299,000 |
Programs: 81% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 4%
| Total Income | $550,299,000 |
| Total expenses: | $699,543,000 |
| Program expenses | $566,648,000 |
| Fundraising expenses | $106,557,000 |
| Administrative expenses | $26,338,000 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-149,244,000 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,437,755,000 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-16,920,000 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,305,431,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $511,682,000 |
| Total Assets | $1,817,113,000 |
Note 1: In the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" represents net decrease in retirement plan liability.
Note 2: According to the organization's 2022 audited financial statements, ACS received in-kind contributions of $62,692,000 including media communication and production services ($28,658,000), Discovery Shops ($24,250,000), Hope Lodge ($4,046,000), other nonfinancial contributioins ($4,030,000), and peer review services ($1,708,000).
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
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance