In an increasingly complex funding landscape, building a robust and thriving grants program can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your research goals—not to mention the impact you want to have for patients around the world.

The need for organizations willing to step up and support cancer research through grant funding has never been greater. But grantmaking is more than just distributing dollars: Developing and sustaining a world-class funding program—one with genuine potential to accelerate research breakthroughs and save patient lives—requires significant expertise, energy, and resources. But even some of the world’s largest organizations lack the infrastructure to launch and manage a grants program with the longevity needed to make a genuine impact for patients everywhere. 

To mitigate some of the challenges grantmaking organizations often face, Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, established EveryGrant in 2019. Backed by the foundation’s 25-plus years of experience and expertise, EveryGrant offers comprehensive grant management services, along with the strategic vision necessary to turn grantmaking aspirations into quantifiable, lifesaving breakthroughs. 

In this interview, ASCO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Julie Gralow explains what EveryGrant offers for would-be grantmakers and how it helps would-be funders to create, launch, and sustain world-class grant programs. 

CONQUER CANCER: So, let’s start from the same place a grantmaker or medical affairs leader might begin. What is EveryGrant? 

DR. GRALOW: EveryGrant is an innovative grant management service that's designed specifically for the cancer community. It's backed by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, which has decades of successful grantmaking experience. A lot of organizations want to play an active, meaningful role in changing the cancer landscape, and they have the funding to support incredible grants, but not necessarily the experience or infrastructure it takes to build and sustain a world-class grant program with a global impact. That’s what EveryGrant can provide. 

CONQUER CANCER: What differentiates EveryGrant from other grant management services? 

DR. GRALOW: What sets EveryGrant apart from other grant management services is the specific focus on oncology and the level of collaboration, customization and guidance we provide—and we do it at every step along the continuum, from grant ideation to distribution, tracking, and management. Those factors provide customers who want to fund cancer research with Conquer Cancer’s proven grantmaking expertise. On top of that, it provides those organizations with access to the expertise of a global network of oncology specialists. Because of this collaborative approach, prospective funders can meet their objectives of advancing impactful cancer research and other high-quality initiatives. 

CONQUER CANCER: So, maybe you can talk a bit about the impetus behind creating EveryGrant and what it helps organizations to accomplish? 

DR. GRALOW: Managing your own grant funding program can be complicated and demands significant time, resources, and specialized expertise. Many organizations, even those with enough capital, struggle to do it effectively. EveryGrant was created to alleviate this burden by allowing organizations, including those without the inhouse infrastructure, to develop impactful, innovative programs by leveraging Conquer Cancer’s experience and insight. 

CONQUER CANCER: As a physician-scientist yourself, you understand better than most the challenges inherent to research funding. How does EveryGrant address these gaps? 

DR. GRALOW: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and it's only through research that we can change that. Unfortunately, research funding currently faces significant challenges both in the U.S. and globally. In the U.S., only a small percentage of grant applications receive funding, which leaves so many promising research projects unexplored. Globally, the situation's worse, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where cancer rates are rapidly rising, and research funding is minimal.  

To help bridge the gap, EveryGrant provides potential funders with access to Conquer Cancer’s grants management expertise, ultimately simplifying the process for potential funders so that they can focus on launching grant opportunities and ensuring the funding reaches the researchers who are best poised to make a significant impact. 

CONQUER CANCER: What specific obstacles do grantmaking organizations face when launching and maintaining a grant program? How does EveryGrant help, and what outcomes can people expect? 

DR. GRALOW: Many organizations, both large and small, genuinely want to fund cancer research but may lack the necessary expertise or infrastructure. Still, they want to direct funds to make that impact but often may not have the experience or infrastructure to promote grant opportunities to the right audiences or even manage the application process.  

EveryGrant addresses these challenges by providing customized support at every level. We offer expertise, infrastructure, and operational support, empowering organizations to achieve the best possible outcomes from their funding. The specific barriers vary depending on the organization, but EveryGrant can tailor services to fill the gaps. As a result, organizations can build grant programs that attract the best and brightest applicants and achieve maximum impact for patients dealing with all types of cancer, around the world. 

For more information on EveryGrant, click here or contact us at EveryGrant@conquer.org.