Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Medical Research | EIN: 13-3727250 | New York NY
Mission: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), is dedicated to ending breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lau ... (More)
Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1993, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Star Rating System by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.
Good
This charity's score is 89.56, earning it a 3-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 85.24 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 100.00 View details
This score represents Form 990 data from 2019. More recent filing data is available, but it has not been factored into this score, due to COVID-19's effect on this organization.
View this organization’s historical ratings.
Rating update postponed due to COVID-19's impact on this organization. View Breast Cancer Research Foundation's response.
Star Rated Report
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Program Expense Ratio
87.5%
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s).
This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Administrative Expenses
3.3%
As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Expenses
9.0%
This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
75.9%
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).
Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency
$0.09
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital Ratio
0.25 years
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Growth
5.74%
We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Yn/Y0)(1/n)]-1, where Y0 is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Yn is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y0 and Yn.
Source: IRS Form 990
Governance
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990
| Governance: | |
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| Independent Voting Board Members ... (More) | |
| No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) A diversion of assets – any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories:
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| Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria.
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| Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More) | |
| Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More) | |
| Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More) | |
| Compensates Board ... (More) |
Policies
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Policies: | |
|---|---|
| Conflict of Interest ... (More) | |
| Whistleblower ... (More) | |
| Records Retention and Destruction ... (More) | |
| CEO Compensation Process ... (More) | |
| Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors have expressed extreme concern about the use of their personal information by charities and the desire to have this information kept confidential. The exchanging and sale of lists for telemarketing and the mass distribution of "junk mail," among other things, can be minimized if the charity assures the privacy of its donors. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories:
The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less) |
Transparency
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Transparency: | |
|---|---|
| CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More) | |
| Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Audited Financial Statements on Website ... (More) | |
| Form 990 Available on Website ... (More) |
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons
Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Myra Biblowit, President And CEO
$770,833 (0.94% of Total Expenses)
Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Business Master File Data
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Fundraising (BMF activity code: 927)
Giving information or opinion (see also Advocacy) (BMF activity code: 125)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources: IRS Forms 990
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Grants Sent
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Since our fiscal year had just ended on June 30, 2020, which was early in the pandemic, most of our revenue for that year had already been realized resulting in a modest decline of $2.6 million, or 3%, from the prior year. However, our corporate partnerships traditionally provide 40% of annual revenue ($29 million). Due to the pandemic, they estimated a decrease of $19 million or 66% in donations. Also, eight in-person BCRF fundraising events were shifted to five virtual events in 2020. While these events have historically raised $17 million each year, we expected this revenue to drop by 40-50% due to the shift from live events and continued economic uncertainty. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, revenue decreased by $34 million, or 50%. While we ultimately did receive the PPP loan, we felt compelled to reduce staff by 7% (laying off 3 out of 44 staff members). We froze hiring and salaries and reduced executive salaries by 10% for the first 8 months of FY2021.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Research projects depend on continuous funding; with a decrease in support for even one single year, significant progress could be lost. Thanks to advance preparation the year prior (FY ending June 30, 2020), financial reserves enabled BCRF to continue funding our full slate of 275 researchers at a reduced grant allotment, from $250,000 to $175,000—allowing their labs to continue functioning without severe loss of momentum. This was partially mitigated by unused funds for the first months of the pandemic while laboratory work was essentially stalled. In FY 2022, beginning July 1, 2021, we maintained the majority of our grant portfolio, but reduced the number of researchers to 250 with grants of $190,000, sustaining critical projects and avoiding devastating losses of data and progress.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We shifted all events to a virtual format, including seven virtual fundraising events in 2021 and an annual scientific conference that fulfills a key tenet of our mission to foster shared data and collaboration. We worked with independent fundraisers across the nation to find safe and effective ways to support BCRF, while growing our online donations by $1 million, or 16%. With a vulnerable population group of breast cancer patients who are potentially in treatment or have recently completed treatment, we chose to continue virtual events even after vaccine availability. Our office remains remote.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
By decreasing the grant award amount thereby avoiding potential grant losses, we also created a significant increase in reserves in FY2020. It is now clear that this is a necessary fail-safe measure for a program that depends heavily on long-term sustained support. The consequences of decreased funding of research grants—years of lost information that would take years more to recover from—has come into stark focus. We intend to retain these reserves and to increase them over time to provide longer term sustainability. Encouraging virtual collaboration for our global legion of researchers gave them the flexibility to be present at meetings they might otherwise not be able to attend. Virtual panel discussions and expanded digital content allowed our supporters to hear from experts around the world, bringing the impact of our mission directly to the people who support it in a newly accessible way. We plan to sustain and expand these efforts moving forward.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 7/1/2020 | 2019 | 89.56 | |
| 4/1/2019 | 2018 | 90.48 |  |
| 12/1/2018 | 2017 | 89.39 | |
| 7/1/2017 | 2016 | 91.16 | |
| 7/1/2016 | 2015 | 91.16 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 92.92 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 4/1/2015 | 2014 | 95.89 | |
| 2/1/2014 | 2013 | 97.60 | |
| 6/1/2013 | 2012 | 95.83 | |
| 5/1/2012 | 2011 | 91.67 | |
| 9/20/2011 | 2010 | 87.81 | |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 11/24/2010 | 2009 | 90.23 | |
| 4/1/2009 | 2008 | 94.18 | |
| 3/1/2008 | 2007 | 91.65 | |
| 3/1/2007 | 2006 | 91.42 | |
| 4/1/2006 | 2005 | 91.35 | |
| 4/1/2005 | 2004 | 91.27 | |
| 4/1/2004 | 2003 | 93.87 | |
| 4/15/2003 | 2002 | 93.71 | |
| 10/15/2002 | 2001 | 91.04 | |
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Breast Cancer Research Foundation cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Do you work at Breast Cancer Research Foundation? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Breast Cancer Research Foundation reported its largest program on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
$46,632,906
Spent in most recent FY
100%
Percent of program expenses
Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Every diagnosis is unique and puts lives at risk. We must stop breast cancer in its tracks, and research is the answer. Founded in 1993 by E ... (More)
Leadership & Adaptability
This score provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
Not Currently Scored
Breast Cancer Research Foundation is currently not eligible for a Leadership & Adaptability score because we have not received its L&A survey responses.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that the organization has not yet submitted data for evaluation.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
Myra Biblowit
President And CEO
Board Chair Name Unknown
Board Chair Title Unknown
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's engagement with the constituents it serves, a practice we term Constituent Feedback. When organizations listen to constituents, they are able to better deliver on programs and meet the needs of stakeholders. A future version of this Beacon will also assess an organization's people operations and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) metrics.
Culture & Community Score
Not Currently Scored
Breast Cancer Research Foundation is currently not eligible for a Culture & Community score because we have not received its Constituent Feedback data. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile. This data will provide the basis for the initial evaluation of Culture & Community.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Culture & Community Report
Unscored
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Constituent Feedback
Constituent Feedback and Listening Practice data are not available for this organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile. This data will provide the basis for the initial evaluation of Culture & Community.
Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective. We award every nonprofit that completes the Candid survey full credit for this Beacon, in recognition of their willingness to publicly share this information with the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. Although the data is not evaluated for quality at this time, future iterations of this Beacon will include third party or other data that will serve to validate the information provided by the nonprofit.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Our partnership with Feedback Labs and Guidestar by Candid, and other partners including Fund for Shared Insight, GlobalGiving, and Keystone Accountability, enables us to launch the first version of this beacon with Constituent Feedback information collected on Candid's site.
Feedback practices have been shown to support better Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outcomes, an essential area of assessment that we intend to further expand and develop in the future. Feedback Labs has documented several studies which indicate that beyond achieving organizational goals, nonprofits that are attentive and responsive to concerns and ideas raised by beneficiaries establish stronger relationships with the people they serve, promote greater equity, and empower constituents in ways that can help to ensure better long-term outcomes. You can find resources to help nonprofits improve their feedback practices here.
