Oct 29, 2026
Some breast cancer charities spend more on fundraising than on fighting the disease. Here’s what donors should know before giving, and which charities CharityWatch recommends supporting instead.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when pink ribbons, fundraising walks, and appeals to support breast cancer patients are everywhere. For many donors, the cause is deeply personal. You may have survived breast cancer yourself, lost someone you love to the disease, or watched a friend or family member endure difficult treatments.
Unfortunately, not every charity raising money in the name of breast cancer uses donations efficiently. Some spend the majority of their cash budgets on fundraising and overhead, leaving relatively little to support the patients, research, and other charitable programs donors intend to fund.
CharityWatch evaluates nonprofits based on an in-depth analysis of their financial reporting, including audited financial statements, the IRS tax filings of the legal entities included in those statements, and other relevant information. Our ratings help donors distinguish financially efficient charities from those that spend too much on fundraising and other overhead.
Check out our charity research and ratings before making your next donation to fight breast cancer.
American Breast Cancer Foundation
The American Breast Cancer Foundation states that its mission is to provide education, support, and access to early breast cancer detection for individuals in financial need.
However, CharityWatch’s analysis of its fiscal 2025 financial reporting reveals troubling fundraising inefficiencies.
- CharityWatch Rating: F
- Program Percentage: 27%
- Cost to Raise $100: $76
According to CharityWatch’s calculations, American Breast Cancer Foundation spent only 27% of its cash budget on programs, with the remaining 73% going toward fundraising and administrative overhead. The charity spent $76 to raise every $100 in donations.
United Breast Cancer Foundation
The United Breast Cancer Foundation provides an especially troubling example of why donors should look beyond a charity’s marketing claims and automated ratings.
CharityWatch has assigned the organization failing ratings since we began evaluating it in fiscal 2008.
Our analysis of its fiscal 2024 financial reporting found:
- CharityWatch Rating: F
- Program Percentage: 30%
- Cost to Raise $100: $67
In other words, only 30% of the charity’s cash expenses went toward programs, while 70% was spent on fundraising and other overhead.
In September 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), working with law enforcement agencies in 19 states, filed a complaint against a vehicle donation fundraising operation associated with United Breast Cancer Foundation.
According to the FTC’s allegations, the fundraising operation raised more than $45 million in vehicle donations between 2017 and 2022 while only $126,815, less than 1%, was used for the advertised breast cancer screening services.
Despite CharityWatch’s longstanding failing ratings, United Breast Cancer Foundation has received favorable ratings from other charity evaluation services that use crowdsourcing or automation to assign ratings to tens of thousands of organizations without adequately scrutinizing their financial reporting.
Walker Cancer Research Institute
The Walker Cancer Research Institute, which also operates under the names National Breast Cancer Research Center and National Cancer Research Center, states that its mission is to support cancer research and provide information to the public. Despite its research-focused names, CharityWatch’s analysis of its fiscal 2024 financial reporting revealed serious fundraising inefficiencies.
- CharityWatch Rating: F
- Program Percentage: 0%
- Cost to Raise $100: $117
Walker Cancer Research Institute spent 0% of its cash budget on charitable programs in 2024, after adjusting for fundraising expenses the charity reported as program costs. Even before these adjustments, the charity reported spending only 39% of its cash budget on programs.
Even more troubling, CharityWatch calculated that Walker Cancer Research Institute spent $117 to raise every $100 in contributions. In other words, the charity spent more on fundraising than the donations it brought in as a result of that spending.
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is one of the most recognizable names in breast cancer fundraising. Known for its pink ribbon campaigns, Race for the Cure events, and other high-profile fundraising initiatives, the organization has become synonymous with breast cancer awareness for many Americans. But name recognition and fundraising success do not necessarily translate into financial efficiency.
CharityWatch’s analysis of Susan G. Komen’s fiscal 2025 financial reporting reveals significant fundraising inefficiencies.
- CharityWatch Rating: F
- Program Percentage: 34%
- Cost to Raise $100: $61
According to CharityWatch’s calculations, Susan G. Komen spent only 34% of its cash budget on charitable programs, with the remaining 66% going toward fundraising and administrative overhead. The organization spent $61 to raise every $100 in contributions.
Susan G. Komen’s familiar name and decades of breast cancer fundraising may inspire confidence among donors. However, CharityWatch’s analysis illustrates why even the most prominent charities deserve careful financial scrutiny.
Top-Rated Breast Cancer Charities Worth Supporting
CharityWatch recommends the following Top-Rated organizations for donors interested in supporting breast cancer research, prevention, education, advocacy, and patient services.
These charities have demonstrated financial efficiency and meet CharityWatch’s applicable governance and transparency benchmarks.
Some organizations may primarily fund research, while others may promote awareness, provide patient care, or make grants to survivors in need. Visit each charity’s website to understand if a particular organization conducts the types of programs you most want to support.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation supports scientific research aimed at preventing and curing breast cancer. Its funding helps researchers investigate the causes of the disease, improve treatments, and advance discoveries that may lead to better outcomes for patients.
National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund
The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fundworks to end breast cancer through education, training, and advocacy. Its programs empower patients, survivors, and advocates to influence breast cancer research priorities, public policy, and access to quality care.
Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
Breast Cancer Prevention Partners focuses on preventing breast cancer by reducing exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation associated with the disease. Its work includes scientific research, public education, and advocacy for policies that reduce environmental health risks.
National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation provides early detection, education, and support services to people affected by breast cancer. Its programs help patients navigate their diagnoses, access screening resources, and obtain practical and emotional support during treatment.
Give Wisely: Your Donation Can Make a Difference
Breast cancer is a devastating disease, and donors understandably want their contributions to help prevent suffering, improve treatment, and ultimately save lives.
But good intentions alone do not ensure that donations will be used efficiently.
Before giving to a breast cancer charity, CharityWatch encourages donors to look beyond emotional fundraising appeals, familiar names, and promotional claims. Research the organization, review its financial efficiency, and consider whether its programs reflect the impact you want your donation to have.
There is no single right way to support the fight against breast cancer. But there are important differences in how efficiently charities use the donations entrusted to them.
Your generosity deserves more than a pink ribbon and a promise.
CharityWatch
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