2025 Annual Report

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites our community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and care partners. Our 2025 Annual Report showcases the profound impact of our donors, advocates, and partners as we work together to conquer and cure brain tumors — once and for all.

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Key Highlights & Impact from the 2025 Annual Report

Defeat: Advancing Innovative Brain Tumor Research & Clinical Trials

Through strategic research funding and venture philanthropy, NBTS drives best-in-class medical research to discover new treatments and potential cures as quickly as possible.

• $2.6 Million Awarded: NBTS awarded $2.6 million in grant dollars to 26 principal investigators across 17 health institutions in 2025. Funded research spanned 11 distinct tumor types, including glioblastoma, ependymoma, medulloblastoma, meningioma, and diffuse midline gliomas.
• Milestone FDA Drug Approval: The FDA granted accelerated approval to dordaviprone (Modeyso) as the first and only treatment for recurrent H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma (DMG). NBTS provided early, foundational research funding that helped bring this pipeline drug to pediatric and young adult patients.
• Venture Philanthropy Catalysts: The Brain Tumor Investment Fund (BTIF) made strategic investments in biotechnology companies like Diakonos Oncology and Alpheus Medical to accelerate promising new glioblastoma treatments into phase II clinical trials.
• Ependymoma Pipeline Growth: The CERN Foundation, a designated program of NBTS, funded molecular-level RNA sequencing research for spinal ependymoma and awarded fellowships focused on advancing a therapeutic mRNA vaccine into clinical trials.

Connect: Delivering Patient Navigation and Community Support

NBTS provides dedicated virtual spaces, educational platforms, and free one-on-one personalized assistance to ensure no one faces a brain tumor diagnosis alone.

• 48% Increase in Patient Navigation: Our team engaged 48% more patients and care partners nationwide than last year, with glioblastoma, meningioma, and ependymoma representing the most-navigated tumor types.
• Virtual Support Groups: Nearly 1,300 community members found a safe, judgment-free network through our virtual Brain Tumor Conversations, Caregiver Support Conversations, and Grief Support Conversations.
• MyTumorID^® Public Health Campaign: NBTS expanded the first-of-its-kind campaign to raise critical awareness of biomarker testing and clinical trials, adding five non-profit affiliate organizations to amplify its message.

Change: Grassroots Advocacy & National Health Policy

We fuel the collective voice of the brain tumor community to influence public policy, shape national research legislation, and increase federal funding.

• Bipartisan Momentum for the BRAIN Act: In April 2025, NBTS worked alongside congressional champions to strengthen and reintroduce the Bolstering Research And Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act, securing more than 40 bipartisan co-sponsors.
• Record-Breaking Grassroots Mobilization: More than 7,300 advocates completed key policy action alerts in record numbers, successfully urging Congress to protect vital NIH funding and other important policies.

Financial Accountability and Stewardship

National Brain Tumor Society takes great pride in our financial efficiency and transparent operations. We work diligently to maximize the value of every dollar received from our donor community. NBTS is proud to hold the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid — the highest level of recognition offered for non-profit communication and responsible stewardship. NBTS also has a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, the highest possible rating issued by the independent evaluator, designating NBTS as an exceptional nonprofit.