American Cancer Society
Is This Your Business?3.0
3.0
Author: Jenna Vasquez
LAST UPDATED: February 27th, 2021
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Administrative expenses
- Donor communication
Administrative Expenses
The American Cancer Society spends an average of 5 percent of its revenue on administrative expenses each year. Executive salaries are relatively high when compared to similar organizations, with the president and CEO of the American Cancer Society earning $1.4 million per year. However, this salary is less than the what the previous CEO of the American Cancer Society was earning.Donor Communication
The American Cancer Society provides many ways for users to receive updates, including the organization's journal for providers, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and Cancer Cytopathology. Donors can also receive email updates, follow the organization on social media, and expect fundraising requests via email, postal mail, and phone.The Bad
- Total income
- Fundraising expenses
- Program percentage
- Accessible financial information
- Negative press
- Awards
Total Income
The American Cancer Society has had varying levels of income over the last several years. Last year's donations are down nearly $100 million from 2012. Revenues for the past five years are as follows:- 2015: $815,827,000
- 2014: $812,525,892
- 2013: $878,083,920
- 2012: $904,294,009
- 2011: $896,170,911
Fundraising Expenses
The American Cancer Society's fundraising budget is significantly higher than that of most similar organizations, with between 20 and 35 percent of incoming funds being spent on fundraising activities each year.Program Percentage
Most charity watchdog organizations consider a program delivery percentage of between 70 and 80 percent as a responsible allocation of funds. However, the American Cancer Society's program percentage has varied for the last several years, ranging between 60 and 76 percent.Accessible Financial Information
The American Cancer Society has published an infographic that provides basic financial information on its website. However, finding specific information about the total income, executive salaries, and administrative expenses of the organization is quite difficult. The last annual report which was published online by the American Cancer Society was for 2011. Additionally, the organization has published its IRS Form 990s for 2010 to 2014 on its website, but these forms are not easily accessible.Negative Press
The American Cancer Society has been involved in a number of controversies, including the following: Executive Salaries The former president and CEO of the American Cancer Society earned a $2.4 million annual salary up until the time of his leaving the organization. In 2015, a new president and CEO, Gary M. Reedy, assumed the position. Mr. Reedy does not earn the same salary as the past president and CEO, but does receive a salary of over $1.4 million. The organization defends its high salaries, saying that the percentage of executive salaries is less than 1 percent of the annual revenue received by the organization and that caliber of leadership provided by Mr. Reedy justifies his salary. Breast Cancer Screening Changes In October 2015, the American Cancer Society announced new recommended screening practices for breast cancer detection, which brought swift criticism. Many leading physicians immediately went to the media to dispute the recommendations, stating that the organization, being influential, could change public opinion of the serious nature of breast cancer and lead women to refrain from early screenings. Past recommendations included annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40, while the new guidelines recommend beginning annual screenings at age 45. The American Cancer Society defended its new guidelines, stating that it was moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and that the new guidelines were set to encourage communication between a woman and her doctor about appropriate screening practices for her particular situation. Refusing Entry to a National Team The humanist group Foundation Beyond Belief contacted the American Cancer Society in 2011 about sponsoring a national team for the upcoming Relay for Life fundraising event, offering up to a $250,000 pledge match for all support pledged to the team. The American Cancer Society initially welcomed the team entry, but subsequently pulled its entry and refused to communicate with the organization. Some speculate that because Foundation Beyond Belief is purportedly atheist, that the refusal was based upon potentially damaging public relations. Lack of Meaningful Research Some have criticized the American Cancer Society for not spending more on researching a cure for childhood cancers. The American Cancer Society has responded to these complaints with surprising statements suggesting that childhood cancer is not its focus and that if donors want to support the fight against childhood cancer, they should donate to other organizations. Planned Parenthood Grants As late as 2007, the American Cancer Society was providing cancer screening and prevention grants to Planned Parenthood. In 2015, when Planned Parenthood was the focus of an investigation for selling the remains of aborted fetuses for profit, a list of organizations supporting or providing funding for Planned Parenthood was released. The American Cancer Society has not disclosed the amount of funding which was previously allocated to Planned Parenthood or when the funding was ceased. However, the American Cancer Society did release this statement about the matter:"The American Cancer Society does not fund grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates. We have previously funded a very limited number of cancer control grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates to implement cancer control (smoking cessation) programs....These grants expired several years ago. The American Cancer Society does not fund-nor has it ever funded-abortion or contraceptive counseling."
Awards
Our Review Team could not find evidence of the American Cancer Society receiving awards, which is a negative indicator of the outreach and impact of the charitable organization's program efficacy.The Bottom Line
Was this content helpful?
Yes
No
Amanda Nacogdoches, TX
They lie in their commercials. Even when you go to their website for help, all they have are articles to read. They actually told me that if I had a different type of cancer than colorectal, that they would have more help for me. They only give rides to and from treatment if you live in certain areas and it all depends on who in their organization that you know. The lodging is a joke as well. They are only interested in offering free lodging if you're well off financially, so that you'll donate to them later. They also don't help with free or discounted wigs. They direct you to TLC which is a wig company that they own. This company is a joke. All of the donations go to pay their salaries and to put out ads to get more money. I'm suffering from cancer, I'm poor. Your donations to help people like me are paying for the CEO's Christmas this year.
6 years ago
Michael Barnell New York, NY
If you read their financials you will see that they make around 850 million each year and of that they only spend 145 million on cancer research & even there much of that is on prevention & detection. The CEO and other top managers are making over 1 million dollars each and the rest is for prevention information. A charity like this SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN!! But people don't look into the facts and just keep giving to these rich, greedy executives. Disgusting!!!!
7 years ago
Allen Coalgate, OK
I was diagnosed with lung cancer and lost my right lung. I spent a month and a half in the hospital and scared to death.
I needed someone to talk to. Each time I tried to contact the ACS, all I got was suggestions to try your state organizations and a hard press on making a donation. Not only did I get hit up for donations then, that's all I get from ACS. EVERY DAY!
Phone calls, spam all wanting donations. Well screw you. I'm scared and I just needed help and all you want it cash.
What is wrong with you people?
7 years ago
Roni Stockton, CA
When patients need rides, wigs, housing, or any form of support; ACS is not available. This is a great money making machine with no help for patients.
They advertise locks of love, and giving to patients for hospital stays, rides for treatments. All money goes to fund raising and salaries.
8 years ago
Alicia Holman Gilbert, AZ
This charity has way too much overhead and isn't transparent enough. I know it's a business, but more of the money needs to directly to either finding a cure or benefiting cancer victims. Either that or they need to explain why they spend so much money on items not related to either one of these items.
8 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
Maryann New Milford, CT
They don’t help you have to be in treatment they tell you. I have stage 4 breast and liver cancer I need help with finances and other things I take Ibrance and they said that’s not treatment . Find a cure. There is one but cancer makes money so why cure it just let people die and collect money
8 years ago
Dorothy Mayo Storm Lake, IA
They advertise all this help that they can give you yet i could not even get a ride from them for my chemo. They had no other services to offer me.
6 years ago
