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Walther Cancer Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$7.5M
Grant Range
$60K - $5.5M

Walther Cancer Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,491,000 (2024)
  • Total Invested Since 1985: Over $200 million
  • Grant Range: $60,000 - $5,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Indiana (with selective grants in Ohio and Michigan)
  • Application Type: No public application process / Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 9292 N Meridian St Ste 300, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: (317) 708-6103
Website: www.walther.org
Email: info@walther.org

Overview

The Walther Cancer Foundation was established in 1985 as the Walther Cancer Institute by Joseph Walther, M.D., and reorganized as a private grant-making foundation in 2007. Since its founding, the foundation has invested over $200 million in cancer-focused research with a mission to eliminate cancer as a cause of suffering and death through medical research. The foundation focuses exclusively on supporting interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cancer research—both bench and clinical—with a special commitment to supportive oncology. The foundation's strategic focus areas include supportive oncology and palliative care, bioinformatics and data science for cancer research, and institutional capacity building through faculty recruitment and research infrastructure. The foundation maintains strong independence, with organizational and financial autonomy that gives its leadership and Board of Directors freedom to stimulate bridge-building at the interfaces of cancer research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Walther Cancer Foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than open grant programs. Major funding streams include:

  • Institutional Support for Core Partners ($5 million - $15 million): Multi-year commitments to Indiana University, Purdue University, and University of Notre Dame for cancer research infrastructure, faculty recruitment, equipment, and program development
  • ASCO Career Development Awards ($2.8 million in 2024): Twelve multi-year awards through the American Society of Clinical Oncology for career development in palliative and supportive care in oncology
  • Collaborative Research Initiatives ($5 million - $11 million): Joint programs such as the Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics (IU/Purdue partnership) and Children's Cancer Research Fund
  • Endowed Chairs and Programs ($14 million): Walther Supportive Oncology Program at Indiana University School of Medicine created five endowed chairs
  • Individual Research Grants ($60,000 - $1 million): Grants to principal investigators at partner institutions

All grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis through established institutional partnerships.

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes three core areas:

  1. Supportive Oncology and Palliative Care: Multi-year career development awards, endowed chairs, and research programs focused on comprehensive approaches to supporting cancer patients and their families. This is one of the foundation's signature commitments, as "one of the few, if not the only, foundation dedicated to advancing the field of supportive oncology."

  2. Bioinformatics and Data Science: Cancer informatics research, molecular genomics/genetics programs, and collaborative bioinformatics initiatives that integrate large-scale molecular data to accelerate progress in cancer discovery, drug development, and precision medicine

  3. High-Risk, Potentially High-Reward Research: Basic laboratory, clinical, and behavioral cancer research aimed at understanding the biology of cancer to develop better treatments and cures

The foundation manages approximately 40 active grants and looks to fund organizations that demonstrate the ability to secure additional funding through other sources.

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding
  • Organizations outside the foundation's established geographic focus (primarily Indiana, with selective support in Ohio and Michigan)
  • Individual patient support or treatment costs
  • Organizations beyond the three core university partners (Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame) and select national organizations like ASCO

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The foundation is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors led by Chairman Gregory Pemberton. Board members include:

  • Gregory Pemberton (Chairman)
  • Daniel C. Appel
  • D. Craig Brater
  • Cathryn C. Ferree
  • Nadine S. Givens
  • Thomas W. Grein
  • Steven S. Ivy
  • Susan Ridlen
  • Jamie Von Roenn
  • Jeremiah Wise
  • Nancy C. Yaw

Staff Leadership

  • Thomas W. Grein, President and Chief Executive Officer
  • D. Craig Brater, MD, Vice President of Programs
  • Blaire Warshawsky, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
  • Susan Luse, Secretary and Program and Office Administrator
  • Kelsey Sturgis, Senior Financial Coordinator

Leadership Perspective

Thomas W. Grein has articulated the foundation's strategic focus: As "one of the few, if not the only, foundation dedicated to advancing the field of supportive oncology," partnering with ASCO on a prestigious lectureship is "both a statement of our commitment and a challenge to others to support this vitally important field."

D. Craig Brater, MD, reflected on the founder's vision: "It was important to Dr. Walther to focus on research, but he also realized there was a need in the areas of supportive and behavioral oncology."

During strategic planning, leadership asked: "Is there an opportunity for us to be more strategic? How can we have the greatest impact in supportive care?" This question has guided the foundation's focused approach to partnership-based grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Walther Cancer Foundation does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding.

The foundation operates through established institutional partnerships with three core university partners:

  • Indiana University (IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center)
  • Purdue University (Purdue Institute for Cancer Research)
  • University of Notre Dame (Harper Cancer Research Institute)

Additionally, the foundation partners with select national organizations, notably the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for career development awards in supportive oncology.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and strategic initiatives developed in collaboration with partner institutions. The foundation typically does not veer from its three core grantees and appears unlikely to expand beyond its established institutional partnerships.

Getting on Their Radar

For researchers at the three core partner institutions (Indiana University, Purdue University, and University of Notre Dame):

  • Work through institutional channels: Network with faculty and staff at one of the three core partner universities who have existing relationships with the foundation
  • Connect with previous grantees: Contact departments that have received Walther funding to understand how grants were developed and secured
  • Align with foundation priorities: Ensure research focuses on supportive oncology, bioinformatics for cancer research, or high-risk/high-reward cancer biology studies
  • Demonstrate collaborative potential: The foundation values interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration
  • Show capacity to leverage funding: The foundation looks to fund organizations that can secure additional funding through other sources

For researchers outside the core institutions: The foundation has provided $33.23 million to Purdue since 2007, nearly $9.5 million to Notre Dame over six years, and over $100 million to Indiana University, demonstrating deep, long-term commitments to these partners rather than one-off grants to new institutions.

Application Success Factors

Since the Walther Cancer Foundation operates through invitation-only partnerships rather than competitive applications, success depends on strategic positioning:

For Researchers at Core Partner Institutions:

  1. Focus on Supportive Oncology: The foundation has made this a signature priority. As leadership noted, they are "one of the few, if not the only, foundation dedicated to advancing the field of supportive oncology." Research in palliative care, quality of life, symptom management, and comprehensive patient support aligns with their core mission.

  2. Emphasize Collaboration: The foundation values "interdisciplinary and inter-institutional" research. Projects that build bridges between Indiana University, Purdue, and Notre Dame, or connect bench science with clinical applications, are particularly aligned with the foundation's strategic approach.

  3. Demonstrate High-Risk, High-Reward Potential: The foundation manages approximately 40 active grants for "high-risk, potentially high-reward efforts" in cancer research. They're willing to support innovative approaches that might not secure more conservative federal funding.

  4. Show Leveraging Capacity: The foundation explicitly looks to fund organizations that "demonstrate the ability to secure additional funding through other sources." Matching grants and collaborative funding models are part of their strategy.

  5. Build Long-Term Relationships: The foundation's giving patterns show sustained, multi-year commitments rather than one-time grants. For example, they've provided $33.23 million to Purdue since 2007 and over $100 million to Indiana University over time.

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • $15 million commitment (2021) for the Walther Cancer Foundation Director's Discretionary Fund
  • $14 million (2015-2017) to create five endowed chairs in Supportive Oncology at IU School of Medicine
  • $11 million (2019) for Bioinformatics-Molecular Genomics/Genetics collaboration between IU and Purdue
  • $10 million (2023) match to create the Children's Cancer Research Fund at IU and Riley Children's Hospital
  • $10 million (2017) to Purdue Institute for Cancer Research for faculty recruitment and equipment
  • $2.8 million (2024) to ASCO for twelve multi-year career development awards in palliative/supportive care

Strategic Guidance:

The foundation's autonomy "gives its leadership and board of directors the freedom to stimulate important bridge-building at the interfaces of cancer research." This suggests they value researchers who can connect different disciplines, institutions, or research approaches in novel ways.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists – This foundation operates exclusively through invitation-only partnerships with three core Indiana universities (IU, Purdue, Notre Dame) and select national organizations like ASCO
  • Network through institutional channels – If you're at one of the three core partner universities, connect with faculty and departments that have existing Walther relationships
  • Supportive oncology is the signature focus – Leadership describes the foundation as "one of the few, if not the only" dedicated to this field, making it the strongest alignment opportunity
  • Demonstrate collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches – The foundation values bridge-building between institutions and between bench science and clinical applications
  • Show leveraging potential – The foundation expects grantees to secure additional funding from other sources, often using matching grant structures
  • Think long-term partnerships, not one-off grants – Funding patterns show sustained multi-year commitments ($33M to Purdue since 2007, $100M+ to IU total)
  • Only established researchers at major universities will succeed – The foundation's geographic focus and partnership model means individual researchers or small organizations outside the core institutions are not viable candidates

References

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