Who We Are
Who We Are
The T.J. Martell Foundation is the music industry’s leading foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding treatments and cures for cancer. Since our formation in 1975, we have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants at leading institutions across the United States. We conservatively estimate that our awards have unlocked approximately $1 billion in additional funding for our research scientists from sources such as the National Institutes of Health.
“There is a cure somewhere. We just haven't found it yet, but we will.”
Founder Tony Martell
Our Mission
We accelerate the development of new treatments and cures for cancer through targeted funding of high-risk, high-gain cancer research that otherwise might not be funded. For over 45 years, and with the enduring and generous support of friends and supporters from the music, business, and medical communities, we have funded innovative, early-stage cancer research at leading NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers across the United States.
Our funding brings together the best and the brightest minds in clinical and translational cancer science, targeting funding to where it matters most – supporting high-risk, high-gain cancer research that propels the science forward and ultimately saves lives. Our unique focus on innovative early-stage “proof of concept” research fills an important niche in cancer research, unlocking larger NIH funding grants needed to propel the science forward and save and improve lives.
Leadership
The T.J. Martell Foundation is governed by our Board of Trustees comprised of national leaders from the music and entertainment industry dedicated to curing cancer. Each of our key areas of operations—East Coast, West Coast, and Southern Region—also has a prestigious Board of Governors. The latter serves as our lead ambassadors helping to fulfill our critical mission in each region.