Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Terry Fox Foundation

The Terry Fox Foundation is a national Canadian charitable organization created to carry forward Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope by financing high-impact cancer research. The Foundation mobilizes individuals, schools, communities and corporate partners to raise money, then strategically invests these funds in bold, innovative research projects led by Canadian scientists and cancer centres. Working closely with the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, it helps connect top researchers, clinicians and technologies across the country.

The Foundation’s single stated goal is to fund innovative cancer research. Guided by values of integrity, excellence, inclusivity, perseverance and creativity, it directs donor contributions to support the “best and brightest Canadian researchers” and their science for the greatest potential impact. Funds raised through thousands of volunteer-led Terry Fox Runs and other giving channels are allocated to research initiatives that advance prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship for people affected by cancer, with a strong focus on collaboration among leading cancer centres.

The organization emphasizes responsible fundraising, strategic investing and transparent reporting. It highlights low administrative overhead so that a greater proportion of donations can be channelled directly to research. The Foundation’s funding model relies on broad public participation: more than 9,000 non-competitive, inclusive Terry Fox Runs take place each year, organized entirely by volunteers, along with monthly giving, legacy gifts and other donation programs. These revenues are used to sustain long-term research efforts and large collaborative initiatives pursued with institutional partners.

The Foundation traces its roots to Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run launched after his own cancer diagnosis to raise money for research. Canadians quickly rallied behind his goal of raising one dollar for every citizen, a target that was achieved in 1981. Over more than four decades since, the Terry Fox Foundation has continued to uphold Terry’s ideals, transforming his personal quest into a sustained national movement that finances cutting-edge cancer research for the benefit of current and future patients.