American Cancer Society (ACS) (Multiple Cancers)
29
4
"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: Atlanta, GA
Founded: 1913
Mission: The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
Tags:
cancer, research, local affiliates, awareness, fundraising, public information events, cancer prevention, policy reform, 2011
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
John Seffrin.
John R. Seffrin, PhD, has served as chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) since its inception in 2001. He also serves as CEO of the American Cancer Society, the world's largest voluntary health organization and the parent organization of ACS CAN. Prior to coming to the American Cancer Society, Dr. Seffrin was professor…
See full bio.
Transparency Information
This organization has earned the GuideStar Exchange Seal, demonstrating its commitment to transparency
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Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
28.39%
Total Revenue:
$930,432,308
From the Nonprofit
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Contact Info
Address:
250 Williams Street
Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Twitter:
Story:
Together with our millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society is saving lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. No other cancer fighting organization has such a comprehensive mission.
Stay well: We help you take steps to prevent cancer or detect it at its earliest, most treatable stage.
We help people eat right, get active, quit smoking and get screenings.
Get well: We’re in your corner around the clock to guide you through a cancer experience.
We know that every cancer patient is a fighter – and we’re in the ring with you through every round.
Find cures: We’re getting results by investing in research that helps us understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it.
Fight back: We help pass laws that defeat cancer and rally communities to join the fight.
Expert Reviews of American Cancer Society (ACS) (Multiple Cancers)
Evidence of Impact Summary:
The American Cancer Society has been commended for its ability to help individuals with cancer and their families through a broad range of programs.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
According to experts, the ACS has been influential because of its strong marketing strategies, its dedicated force of volunteers, and its effective leadership and staff.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
Experts have criticised the American Cancer Society's choice of which issues to focus on and have called on it to take on controversial issues and be more transparent.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Support for Research |
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ACS funds cancer research across the spectrum and has funded research which has led to significant findings for patients. | ||
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They provide support for young investigators by giving larger research grants than the more targeted nonprofits. | ||
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F
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This organization focuses on the search for a cure for any and all types of cancers. While it is not specific to a certain sector of the disease, it raises awareness about how cancer can effect everyone in the world whether directly or indirectly. | ||
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N
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Brand is recognized as a leader with focus being primarily on research. | ||
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R
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This organization supports research grants for young investigators, which is very important. They used to support big "R01" type grants for more experienced investigators, but I do not think they do this anymore. | ||
High Name Recognition |
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N
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ACS is the house hold name in cancer and is in every community in America. | ||
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They are the largest cancer non-profit in the world. | ||
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They have the highest name recognition amongst general public. | ||
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This is the first organization most people newly diagnosed with cancer, who have no previous knowledge of the disease, turn to for information. | ||
Strong Coalitions |
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ACS's impact on cancer cannot be over-estimated on a state or national level. In addition, their willingness to engage and support coalition efforts such as One Voice Against Cancer has been excellent. | ||
Wide Range of Work |
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N
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Hope Lodge gives free room and board to cancer patients and their caregivers so that they can get treatment and care in NYC. | ||
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O
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It has had an impact because of Hope Lodge and its educational programs. Hope Lodge provides free housing to outpatient cancer patients. | ||
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O
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Their research, patient services, and education are quite strong. | ||
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R
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They do a good job educating the public and legislators about the importance of early detection and treatment. They have worked toward insuring needed gov't research support and have provided leadership and funding to patients, basic science and clinical research. | ||
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They do anything from research findings to community work to clinical guidelines. They are also effective in raising public awareness, changing clinical policy, and focusing on disparities. | ||
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They have high recognition and quality of services. | ||
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O
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Though ACS has priority cancers on which it focuses its major resources to achieve significant the greatest impact, it still addresses the broad spectrum of cancers in research and public education and information. Its large community-based efforts to support national in education, research, advocacy, and service. | ||
Effective Advocacy |
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N
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It has had an impact on promoting public policy favorable to cancer patients, including but not limited to its participation and contribution to health care reform debate. The breadth of issues it is able to cover and volume of support to cancer patients given its national chapters is impressive | ||
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Evidence of impact - they are a leader in pushing policy on Capitol Hill. Their policy staff is among the best in the field. My organization relies on their annual surveillance of the impact of cancer in the U.S. to do our own work. | ||
Dedication to Science |
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They have the deepest portfolio of science funding in the business. | ||
Powerhouse in the Cancer Field |
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ACS clearly has a long history in the fight on cancer, having focused on treatment & cure, as well as awareness of the disease. They are the "powerhouse" in the cancer field who we all listen to, and benefit from as related to information. | ||
Strong Organization |
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Very strong organization with wealth of knowledge and abilities. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Great Marketing |
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ACS has great brand image and recognition, and it funds important adult research. | ||
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ACS has an incredible fundraising operation and links it successfully with its call center and other channels for patient participation. It also is large enough and well known enough that it can influence a national agenda about cancer detection and treatment as well as political decisions. | ||
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Their marketing department is truly awesome, and their ability to create patient information is excellent. | ||
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Their marketing and review methods are best in their class. | ||
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This organization has very strong marketing and programming skills. Events, such as Relay for Life that has become a national phenomena, are very symbolic to the importance of these types of organizations. | ||
Effective Programs |
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Hope Lodge provides a home away from home at no charge for people who would otherwise have to travel too far for their cancer treatment. It is a safe place where they can find companionship with other guests going through the same treatments and a caring staff. | ||
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Hope Lodge provides free housing to outpatient cancer patients. | ||
Skilled in Internal Operations |
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N
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ACS has a strong leadership and broad and varied emphases (ie research, policy, support for patients, education). | ||
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They have excelled in marketing, operations, and finances for a very long time and have adapted quickly to do so. | ||
Great Leadership and Strength |
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Their national leadership and staff excellence top the list of strengths. | ||
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They have a powerful and intelligent leadership. The organization both directly and indirectly supports essential research and improved care for all cancer patients. | ||
Constant Improvement |
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This agency is progressive, thinking, and forward acting. They constantly try to improve their actions and put a focus on making a difference in outcomes. | ||
Wide Range of Work |
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They have a strong and effective marketing campaign, and they use well known fundraising initiatives. | ||
Low Overhead Costs |
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They have low overhead costs and a fair peer review of grants. | ||
Strong Volunteer Base |
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This organization has a large national network of volunteers and access to virtually any office in government or business it may wish to address. | ||
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O
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The major strength of the American Cancer Society is its volunteer force and community presence. Staff are hired to complement the effectiveness and dedication of volunteers who represent the health professions and the laity. The ACS, High Plains Division, effectively serves the following states: Hawaii, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Reports have validated their high impact in reaching cancer patients through navigation programs, and effective advocacy efforts to enact laws promoting cancer prevention and early detection. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
More Fundraising |
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N
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They should do more to fund research in children's cancers. | ||
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They need to raise more money, fund more grants, and expand grant categories. | ||
Less Bureaucracy |
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It is very bureaucratic because of its size and structure and can often be slow to make a decision. ACS has been more collaborative in recent years, but it is still often weak on collaboration unless it is the dominant partner. | ||
Take on Controversial Issues |
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O
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ACS is a large organization, and I suspect that it includes deadwood which could be pared away. In addition, they are sometimes unwilling to take controversial positions on regulatory issues which is disappointing. | ||
More Staff |
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They should have fewer volunteers perhaps and more paid staff to keep the Lodge running efficiently. | ||
Give Back More to Patients |
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They should get more money back in patients hands. | ||
Better Marketing |
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They could improve their marketing and be more nimble to respond to the marketplace. | ||
More Focus on Prevention |
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It needs to focus as much on prevention as on treatment. | ||
Consistency Across the US |
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ACS units in some areas of the country appear to lag behind the others in strength and ability. | ||
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They have regional imbalances. | ||
More Focus on Public Health |
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They lack a focus on public health. | ||
Greater Focus on Lung Cancer. |
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They need a greater focus on lung cancer, the number one cancer killer in the U.S. | ||
Large Size |
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It's a bit of a monolith. | ||
Take on Strong Public Position |
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O
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I would not recommend this organization if they had not appointed Otis Brawley, M.D. to the position of Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Brawley is a much need breath of fresh air for an organization that is generally bloated, bureaucratic, and prior to Dr. Brawley’s arrival, afraid to take a strong public position on any issue of significance for fear of alienating someone in power. This is a rich organization that needs to further justify its riches before donations are funneled toward it. Had the American Cancer Society done its “job” well over the last few decades, there would not be so many independent cancer advocacy organization in existence, doing the difficult tasks the American Cancer Society has been either too afraid of or too conflicted to take on. | ||
Greater Transparency |
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F
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It would be beneficial to learn more about where the money that is fundraised is allocated to help show the impact of ACS in action. | ||
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O
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I was an employee for ACS from 2000 - 2003. I totally believed in the mission and loved what I did but found management was poor and the good employees left when the worst managers were promoted. I gave money while I worked there but afterward decided not a penny more of mine was going to them because they supposedly raised and spent money in the communities which was NOT true. There was a lot of fishy business with money and how it was spent. They absolutely did not want restricted funds (ie to go to local communities and/or projects) because the division had that money earmarked for elsewhere. Also, in the years since then I know (in OK at least) that the society has gotten a very poor reputation because of lack of involvement and assistance (even with brochures, etc.) even when seated on a coalition or committee. Management shows up for the meetings but in no way actually contributes to the greater goal. ACS staff requires any assistance they provide to directly benefit them (at least in OK). | ||
More Training Programs |
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O
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They should provide more professional health conferences and better leadership training for the volunteers. They should also have more involvement of volunteers in decision making and more opportunities for professional conferences and volunteer leadership development outside of fundraising training. | ||
High Overhead |
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ACS has a reputation for high overhead for a non-profit. | ||
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ACS is big and old. It is more about the money than the research. Unfortunately for lung cancer, they focus what little money they do on lung cancer research towards prevention and nothing at all on early detection or treatment. Because they have such a large national presence, people automatically contribute to them assuming the money will go towards research for the early detection and treatment of lung cancer, which it does not. | ||
Leadership
John Seffrin
CEO
CEO
From the Nonprofit
The nonprofit has not added any comments yet. If you are a representative of this nonprofit and would like to leave a comment, please email us at
feedback@myphilanthropedia.org
with your request.
