Walther Cancer Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 35-1650570 · since 1986walther.org·Indiana·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$7.5M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.

Key takeaways

This Indianapolis-based foundation works by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a speculative application is not the way in for most charities.
Its funding is concentrated on cancer research, supportive oncology and bioinformatics, with a stated priority on supporting institutional cancer programmes and enabling cancer centres, and its geographic focus is given as a priority on Indiana.
In the year reported it paid out $7,510,459 in total, but no grant range is stated, so there is no steer here on what a single award might look like.
Because it only gives to organisations it has already identified for collaboration, this reads as a relationship-led funder rather than a competitive open programme, and those without an existing link to its priority partners should not send in unsolicited proposals, in line with its stated practice.

Overview

Walther Cancer Foundation is a US private foundation based in Indianapolis, IN.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports and promotes interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cancer research, spanning bench and clinical work, clinical trials and behavioural studies within its commitment to Supportive Oncology. Its goals are to advance research aimed at better treatments, if not cures, and to develop a comprehensive approach to supporting patients with cancer and their families. Its programmes connect cancer research with patient care, including supportive oncology and bioinformatics collaborations. It backs institutional cancer programmes, with a focus on enabling cancer centres in Indiana, and describes collaboration, shared resources and expertise as central to its approach. Endowments provide partners with sustained support for research and patient care and help build strong, sustainable programmes.

Themes

Cancer research
Supportive oncology
Bioinformatics

Geographic Focus

Priority: Indiana.

How to apply

The Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Application success factors

What the foundation says:

It supports and promotes interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cancer research, including clinical trials and behavioural studies as part of its commitment to Supportive Oncology.
It values collaboration between partners that enables shared resources and expertise.

Officers and directors

Daniel Appel — Director
Gregory L Pemberton — Chairman of the Board
Cathryn Ferree — Director
Susan Luse — Secretary / Program Officer
Susan Ridlen — Director
Blaire Warshawsky — CFO / Treasurer (Start 9/30/24)
D Craig Brater — V.P. Programs / Director
Thomas Grein — President & CEO / Director
Jamie Von Roenn — Director
Nadine Givens — Director
Steven Ivy — Director
Jeremiah Wise — Director
Nancy Yaw — Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$9,560,115	$7,530,333	$156,086,804	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$9,452,915	$7,491,000	$161,503,258	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$10,006,996	$7,510,459	$167,232,231	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.