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responsible giving and efficiencies

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation adheres to many standards that reflect its commitment to public accountability and social responsibility. Today, contributors are more informed than ever, and they are asking questions of and demanding answers from the charities they intend to support. It is no secret how The Breast Cancer Research Foundation raises money, or distributes its funds.

On February 28, 2008, BCRF received a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the SEVENTH consecutive year--an unprecedented achievement! Read more below!

To access our Financial and State Registration information, please go to Disclosure Information and Financials.

BCRF Scientific Advisors
The leaders of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation have always believed that the most efficient way to address breast cancer is to direct as much grant funding as possible to the very best and most innovative research. Our annual grants program is guided by our Executive Board of Scientific Advisors, and our newly-appointed Scientific Advisory Committee who assist the Executive Board in identifying the best and most promising research, where BCRF dollars will have maximum impact. Both groups represent scientific and geographic diversity, and are composed of men and women who represent breast cancer research excellence and world-recognized leadership.

Exceptional Recognition
The BCRF approach to fundraising and awarding funds for breast cancer research and awareness programs has been recognized by several organizations that monitor and provide comprehensive, unbiased information on charities. Their evaluations assist donors in making sensible and intelligent giving decisions. Most notably:

Charity Navigator.com
In 2008, the Foundation has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, four stars, for the SEVENTH consecutive year, which means BCRF has outperformed more than 99% of all other evaluated charities in efficiently managing its finances. In their transmittal letter of February 28, 2008, Charity Navigator has advised BCRF that "This "exceptional" designation differentiates The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

To review full details about Charity Navigator's objective ratings data on BCRF, go to our page in the Charity Navigator 4-Star Directory.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was named one of America's eight top charities in the December, 2004 issue of Money magazine. The article lists BCRF "as among the best at devoting the lion's share of donations to their programs while keeping fund-raising costs in check." It goes on to say, "A charity earns the highest rating if at least 60% of the money it spends goes to its programs and no more than 35% to fund raising or other administrative costs." BCRF, which directs a minimum of 85 cents of every donated dollar to research and awareness programs, far exceeds this level. The information was gathered from charitywatch.org, an independent organization that maintains financial records of charitable organizations across the country.
(Quotes and logo: (c) 2004 Time Inc. All rights reserved.)

American Institute of Philanthropy
In January 2008, the AIP has re-evaluated BCRF's consistent "A" rating since 2002, and awarded the Foundation an A+ rating! This is the highest possible rating by AIP. BCRF is recognized by AIP as one of the "Top Rated" cancer organizations, and is the only breast cancer organization to appear on its "Top Rated Charities". In awarding their rating, the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) looks at percent spent on program services, cost to raise $100, and years of available assets.

The American Institute of Philanthropy has existed since 1993 to help donors make educated decisions about contributing to worthwhile charities. AIP, the longest-standing of four major watchdog groups, has been praised, recognized, and sometimes even feared for its hard-won status as a leading watchdog of charitable institutions. Using the criteria of financial disclosure and fiscal efficiency as the primary measures for rating such organizations, AIP issues grades from A+ to F to charities to assist donors in their decision-making process. For more information, visit the AIP website.

Fundraising Efficiency
The Foundation is committed to holding administrative costs to no more than 15 percent, thereby directing at least 85 cents of every dollar received to breast cancer research grants and awareness programs. In fact, in each year to date, the Foundation's percentage committed to research has exceeded 85 percent. This accomplishment reflects BCRF's dedication to putting the contributions it receives to work immediately. Each year, the maximum amount of dollars is directed to research, rather than towards an endowment for the future. BCRF knows that its supporters do not want their dollars wasted on solicitations that include unnecessary gifts and junk mail. BCRF wants action!

Significant and Effective Funds for Research
Annual grants awarded by BCRF allow scientists to pursue groundbreaking research leading to new treatments, new methods of prevention and new insights into breast cancer. The Foundation supports investigations with the potential for rapid clinical application, and understands the importance of supporting projects in all stages of development. It is particularly effective at identifying important new areas of research and providing greatly needed seed money, to enable researchers to generate the data necessary to compete successfully for federal funding and to leverage and secure additional funds from other foundations and government agencies.

By donating to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, contributors know that their support will go to breast cancer research and awareness programs. No gift is too small. The Foundation is honored to be the recipient of gifts from all donors.

Make a donation now!