Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Cancer Society
Address:	250 Williams Street NW
	Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone:	800-227-2345
Web Address:	www.cancer.org

American Cancer Society (ACS) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

ACS awards grants to academic institutions and professionals in the fields of medicine and science for investigations into the causes, prevention, and cure of cancer. Research staff at ACS analyze trends in cancer occurrence, risk factors, screening, and supply epidemiologic support for the monitoring of international tobacco production, consumption, associated health consequences, and oversee behavioral studies on areas such as family dynamics, minority issues, and communication between physicians and patients. The organization also coordinates an educational, advocacy, and media campaign to help adults and children lower their risks of contracting cancer. Furthermore, ACS reports that through its advocacy work in conjunction with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM, it unites millions of Americans each year to deliver a clear message to elected leaders: fighting cancer must be a national priority. Its grassroots advocacy volunteers work with lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels to support legislation protecting patients’ rights and to safeguard public health. In addition to providing informational materials to the public and health professionals, ACS also issues guidelines for forms of cancer pertaining to diagnosis, care options, symptom management, pain control, and related aspects. Some ($7,118,000 or 2%) of the Society's program activities are conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, ACS' program expenses were:

Research	144,246,000
Patient support	78,858,000
Prevention	47,975,000
Detection and treatment	32,339,000
Total Program Expenses:	$303,418,000

Chief Executive : John R. Seffrin, PhD, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*:

$2,401,112

Chair of the Board: Cynthia M. LeBlanc, EdD
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Educational Consultant, Senior Associate, National School Reform

Board Size: 43

Paid Staff Size: 1400

*September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances. The total compensation figure also includes monies from the CEO's supplemental executive retirement account.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, print advertisements, television, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, door to door, planned giving, and cause-related marketing.

Fund raising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $373,570,000, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

ACS incurred joint costs of $19,034,000 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $9,587,000 was allocated to fund raising expenses, $7,118,000 was allocated to program expenses, and $2,329,000 was allocated to administrative expenses.

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on the ACS' audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.

Source of Funds
Contributions	302,652,000
Legacies and bequests	43,893,000
Contributed services, merchandise and other in-kind contributions (at fair value)	21,328,000
Exchange transactions, net	13,360,000
Investment income	6,569,000
Grants and contracts	5,697,000
Other revenue	2,839,000
Change in value of split-interest agreements	39,000
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	-259,000
Total Income	$396,118,000

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 80%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 9%  Other Expenses: Less than 1%

Total income				$396,118,000
	Program expenses			$303,418,000
	Fund raising expenses			42,400,000
	Administrative expenses			33,183,000
	Other Expenses			1,599,000
Total expenses				$380,600,000
Income in Excess of Expenses				15,518,000
Beginning net assets				517,598,000
Other Changes in Net Assets				(689,000)
Ending net assets				532,427,000
Total liabilities				1,005,308,000
Total assets				$1,537,735,000

Note 1: In the above financial summary, "other expenses" represents public support allocatable to affiliate programs and other activities while "other changes in net assets" represents a net change in retirement liability .

Note 2: According to ACS' audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, the organization received in-kind contributions in the amount of $20,712,000 which includes $14,856,000 (cosmetic kits), $2,275,000 (media/advertising), $1,881,000 (wigs), and $1,700,000 (peer review services).