Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10+ million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Research grants: 3-4 months; Family assistance: 2-4 weeks
• Grant Range: Research: Varies (recent grants $200,000-$500,000); Family assistance: ~$2,500
• Geographic Focus: National (US) with some international research grants

Contact Details

• Website: bepositive.org
• Research Grant Applications: Via ProposalCENTRAL portal
• Family Assistance Applications: Assistance@BePositive.org
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Address: Wilmington, DE

Overview

Founded in 2008, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the memory of Andrew McDonough, a 14-year-old student-athlete from Wilmington, Delaware who passed away from cancer in 2007. The Foundation has grown to become the largest provider of financial assistance to families of children with cancer in the United States, while simultaneously funding critical childhood cancer research. With over $10 million in annual giving and a 97.26% program expense ratio, the organization maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating. The Foundation operates through four strategic pillars: financial assistance to families, childhood cancer research funding, awareness and advocacy, and psychosocial support services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grant Program: Awards competitive grants to institutions conducting childhood cancer research

• Grant amounts vary (recent grants $200,000-$500,000)
• Application method: Online via ProposalCENTRAL portal
• Annual application cycle: June 1 - September (for 2026 cycle)
• 22 grants awarded in 2024 totaling $8,012,803

Family Assistance Program: Financial support for families with children fighting cancer

• Grant amount: Approximately $2,500 per award (families can receive assistance twice)
• Application method: Through hospital social workers via online application
• Rolling basis throughout the year
• Over 4,000 families helped annually

Priority Areas

• Basic, translational, and clinical childhood cancer research
• Direct financial assistance to families facing childhood cancer
• Psychosocial support programs for patients and families
• Advocacy for increased federal funding for childhood cancer research

What They Don't Fund

• Adult cancer research
• General operating expenses for institutions (research grants are project-specific)
• Expenses unrelated to childhood cancer diagnosis

Governance and Leadership

Joe McDonough - President and Co-Founder: Former Senior Vice President at JPMorgan Chase, leads the Foundation's strategic vision and operations.

Chris McDonough - Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer: Oversees day-to-day operations and program implementation.

Dr. Ali McDonough Spano - Clinical psychologist and Andrew's sister, provides expertise in psychosocial support programming.

Dr. Peter C. Adamson, MD - Scientific Advisory Board member, Global Development Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology and Pediatric Innovation at Sanofi, brings extensive pediatric oncology research expertise.

Catherine Herzog - Director, Corporate Partnerships: Manages strategic partnerships and corporate giving programs.

Ashley Wagner - Senior Program Manager: Oversees program implementation and grant administration.

The Scientific Advisory Board consists of world-class pediatric oncology clinicians and researchers who review all research grant applications.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Research Grants:

• Applications accepted annually via ProposalCENTRAL portal
• 2026 cycle opens June 1, 2025
• Letter of Intent required before full application
• Full proposals due in September
• Reviewed by Scientific Advisory Board

Family Assistance:

• Applications submitted through hospital social workers
• Online application at Assistance@BePositive.org
• Required documentation includes child's diagnosis and financial information
• Rolling applications accepted year-round

Decision Timeline

Research Grants:

• 3-4 months from application deadline to award notification
• Awards typically announced in December/January

Family Assistance:

• 2-4 weeks from complete application submission
• Expedited review for urgent cases

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly disclosed, though the Foundation reports:

• 22 research grants awarded in 2024 from competitive pool
• Over 4,000 families assisted annually (high approval rate for eligible families)

Reapplication Policy

Research Grants: Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles with revised proposals Family Assistance: Families can receive assistance up to twice during their child's treatment

Application Success Factors

For Research Grants:

• Projects must focus specifically on childhood cancer (under age 21)
• Strong preliminary data and clear research methodology
• Alignment with Foundation's priority areas in basic, translational, or clinical research
• Demonstrated potential for meaningful impact on childhood cancer outcomes
• Clear budget justification and institutional support
• Track record of the research team in pediatric oncology

For Family Assistance:

• Child must be diagnosed with cancer and under age 21
• Documentation must clearly show financial need related to cancer treatment
• Application should be submitted through hospital social worker for verification
• Expenses must be directly attributable to child's cancer diagnosis
• Complete and accurate application documentation speeds processing

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation operates two distinct grant programs - ensure you're applying to the correct one (research grants for institutions vs. family assistance for individuals) • Research grant applications have a strict annual timeline with June-September submission window - plan accordingly • With 97.26% of expenses going to programs and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, the Foundation demonstrates exceptional stewardship • Family assistance applications require hospital social worker involvement - establish this connection early • The Foundation prioritizes comprehensive support, combining research funding with direct family assistance and psychosocial programs • Recent research grants have ranged from $200,000-$500,000, suggesting competitive proposals should request substantial but justified amounts • The Foundation is part of the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, indicating strong collaborative approach to funding

References

• The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation Official Website (bepositive.org) - Accessed March 2026
• Charity Navigator Profile for Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation - Ratings and Financial Information - Accessed March 2026
• ProposalCENTRAL Grant Application Portal - Research Grant Guidelines - Accessed March 2026
• B+ Foundation 2024 Annual Report - Grant Recipients and Program Updates
• Foundation Press Releases - 2024 Research Grant Awards Announcement
• IRS Form 990 Filing - EIN 42-1741037 - Financial and Program Information