The National Cancer Institute Gift Fund

Although the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is an agency of the United States Government and not a fund-raising organization, it has been authorized by the U.S. Congress to accept donations and bequests to support the mission of the Institute.  We do not solicit funds or participate in fund-raising activities.  See how donations are used. 

 

Donating Instructions

Contributions in the form of check or money order payable to "The National Cancer Institute” can be sent to:

The Director
The National Cancer Institute
Building 31 Room 11A-16
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892

Information to Include in Your Donation Letter to NCI
A letter should be sent along with the check indicating that the donation is to be used for research at the NCI.  Donors should include the following to receive a letter of acknowledgment from NCI:

• Name (contact person)
• Company Name (if applicable)
• Street Address
• City, State and Zip Code
• Phone Number (optional)

Research Designation (optional). All donations are applied toward projects in support of cancer research as determined by the NCI Director.  However, if you want your donation to be used on a specific type of cancer research, you may state it in your letter.

Memorial Donations (optional). Please include the name of your loved one in your letter, as well as the name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) whom you would like NCI to acknowledge for the memorial donation (a spouse, sibling, parent, etc.).

Honorary Donations (optional). Please write the name of the person your donation is in honor of in your letter, as well as the name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) whom you would like NCI to acknowledge for the honorary donation (the honoree, a spouse, a sibling, a parent, etc.).

How Donations Are Used

Donations to the NCI are handled in our Gift Fund, which is separate from the appropriation we receive from Congress.  Since our basic operating expenses and administrative costs are paid from our appropriation, donations are used for special projects in support of cancer research.

Projects supported through the Gift Fund may vary from year to year depending on the needs of the Institute.  Following is a partial list of areas that have been supported through the Gift Fund:

• Special fellowships to train young scientists in cancer research. 
• Equipment for clinical laboratories. 
• The NIH Clinical Center's "Patient Emergency Fund" which is used to assist patients in financial need. (Donations can also be made directly to the NIH Clinical Center for this purpose.) 
• Workshops/Conferences on subjects of special importance to cancer research. 
• Printing of pamphlets about cancer for the general public. 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to write to the NCI Office of Budget and Finance at the address above or call (301) 496-5803.  You may also send any questions via e-mail.