National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) is largest nonprofit organization in the United States committed to finding a cure for brain tumors. We aggressively drive strategic research, advocate for public policies that meet the critical needs of the brain tumor community, and provide patient information. Headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, with offices in San Francisco, California and Wilmington, Delaware, we host activities throughout the United States.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Launched the Mary Catherine Calisto Systems Biology Initiative -- the largest singular research initiative NBTS has ever undertaken. Systems biology is a new approach to brain tumor research. It holds promise to increase the speed at which new treatments for brain tumors are developed.
- Collaborated with the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada to address the relationship between the origin of brain tumors in children and normal brain development. As a result, NBTS issued phase II of its Pediatric Research Initiative, which focuses on developmental neurobiology. This is a field of study looking at all of the genes, molecular and cellular processes, and environmental factors that affect normal brain development. NBTS believes that the initiative will help researchers find therapies that target childhood brain tumors yet have the least long-term impact on brain development.
- Announced the nine recipients of the 2010 Chairs of Research program grants. Chairs of Research are named giving opportunities funded by gifts of between $100,000 and $200,000 per year.
- Awarded an Innovation Research Grant to Tocagen -- a San Diego-based biotechnology company. Tocagen has developed a new technology that enables anti-cancer drugs to be delivered directly to cancer cells via a gene. The hope is that the new technique will halt the growth of glioblastoma -- the most common type of primary brain cancer -- without causing as many side effects as conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy.
- NBTS continues to participate in the Brain Tumor Funders Collaborative (BTFC), a partnership among eight private philanthropic and advocacy organizations. BTFC announced 11 one-year, $100,000 feasibility grants for team developing the tools to accelerate the testing of different kinds of brain tumor response markers – reliable, easily monitored biological signals that can reveal if and how a tumor is responding to therapies.
- We are continuing our Quality of Life work. In September, 2010, NBTS gathered a group of brain tumor experts for a workshop on quality of life. More than 20 nurses, physicians, social works, and other healthcare providers from all over the country attended. Together, they identified the most common barriers to quality of life for people with brain tumors and came up with top-priority actions that the brain tumor community can take to improve quality of life.
- Launched My.BrainTumorCommunity.org (MyBTC)-- a website serving as both a community of interest and a community of relationship for those touched by brain tumors. MyBTC has hosted more than 10,000 visitors since its launch.
- Broadened the scope of public policy advocacy efforts to advance brain tumor research, resulting in a stronger, re-energized voice at the policymaking table.
- Added the Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation to the NBTS team to expand the national call for people to join the brain tumor community.
- Rallied more than 27,000 participants in races, walks, and rides held in 12 cities around the United States.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
NBTS takes great pride in our financial efficiency and accountability. We work to maximize the value of every dollar we receive.
2010 Financial Information
In 2010, $.80 spent went directly to NBTS programs, including research and public policy advocacy.
Independent Accreditation
We encourage you to investigate before you donate. Click on the links below for independently verified information about NBTS’ finances and responsible use of funds.
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NBTS IRS Letter of Determination
NBTS IRS Form 990
Specific information about NBTS’ finances is available on our Form 990, the information return that tax-exempt organizations file annually with the Internal Revenue Service. Please note the Form 990 is labeled based on the starting date of the financial year, but contains information through September 30 of the following year. This is the same time period as NBTS’ fiscal year, which is labeled based on the ending date of the financial year. For example, the 2010 Form 990 and NBTS’ fiscal year 2009 both contain financial information for the period October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010.
Contributions to NBTS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. NBTS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN/tax ID number: 04-306-8130).
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