Finding out that you or a loved one has a brain tumor is hard. Figuring out how to pay for treatment can be even harder. Navigating treatment while also taking care of your ordinary household expenses can be overwhelming.
That’s why so many organizations offer financial assistance for brain tumor patients! Whether the tumor is benign or malignant, there are places you can turn for help with your housing, utilities, and other costs.
The following sections will review nationwide charities, local charities, and other places you can go to get the help that you need.
Nationwide Resources
There are many nationwide organizations that provide financial assistance for brain tumor patients! Some of these charities only serve adults, while others only serve children. You’ll need to review the specifics of each organization to find the ones that best serve your needs.
Please note that the Rose DiGangi Foundation does not appear to be active any more. The last “results” year listed on the website is 2018 and they haven’t posted on social media since August 2021. As a result, we did not include their grant program in this list.
Glenn Garcelon Foundation
Anyone who is living with a primary brain tumor in the United States (or its territories) can apply for a grant form the Glenn Garcelon Foundation.
This organization offers a very simple application and a relatively quick turnaround time. Applications are reviewed monthly and winners are notified the first day of the month after the reviews are completed. It is important to note that your application is never reviewed until all the required materials are submitted, so it’s important to include all of the necessary documentation to make sure your application is reviewed right away.
This organization does not promise a certain amount of money. Instead, they base the amount of the grant on your individual needs and the availability of funding.
You can download the grant application from GlennGarcelonFoundation.org.
Hogs for the Cause
This organization has donated more than $2.1 million to individual families who are battling pediatric brain cancer. Based on their website map, it appears their funds are typically focused on the South and East.
You can apply for a grant using the simple form on their website. Be sure to explain your child’s needs in detail!
Mary E. Smith Foundation
The Mary E. Smith Foundation offers scholarships and grants to help support brain tumor patients and survivors. The Medical Screening / Financial Assistance Grant can provide up to $2,500 to brain tumor patients in the United States.
You can access the application through links on their website. The Grants applications are located near the bottom of this page.
Mission 4 Maureen
This organization has provided more than $1.4 million in financial assistance grants to patients all over the United States. It’s a great place to turn for financial assistance for brain tumor patients.
This foundation was named after a young mother who lost her battle to brain cancer in 2005. The family knows firsthand that battling cancer can be terribly expensive, so this organization helps other patients cover their basic living expenses during this difficult time.
This organization relies on donations to fund their grants. If funds are available, you can apply at Mission4Maureen.org.
Matthew Larson Foundation (Children Only)
The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors has a special program called the IronMatt Family Assistance Program. This program provides financial assistance to children who are undergoing treatment for Brain Cancer or Central Nervous System (CNS) cancer.
In order to be eligible, your child must be age 21 or under. The child must be undergoing treatment for an eligible cancer. A media release is required in order to receive assistance.
In addition to providing financial support for the families, the IronMatt program also distributes $100 Children’s Place gift cards to each eligible patient and their siblings. Each patient also gets a new set of pajamas, too.
If you would like receive help from the IronMatt Family Assistance Program, you’ll need to have your hospital’s social worker reach out. The social worker must complete the application, which can be found at IronMatt.org.
Payton Wright Foundation (Children Only)
The Payton Wright Foundation provides financial assistance for brain tumor patients, but only when that patient is under age 18. This organization is specifically dedicated to helping families with minor children who are afflicted.
In order to be eligible, the child must be actively undergoing treatment for brain cancer or a brain tumor. The child must have been diagnosed before they turned 18. The parent or legal guardian must be the primary caregiver for the child.
If your application is approved, this organization can help you for up to three months. They can help you with your housing costs, utilities, travel expenses, phone bills and similar bills. However, they do not help with medical bills, medications or trial protocols.
In order to apply, the parent or legal guardian must fill out the Request Services form. Each application is reviewed individually. You will need to give the Payton Wright Foundation permission to speak with the child’s oncology physician and social worker.
Reflections of Grace Foundation (Children Only)
This organization has provided over $831,000 in financial assistance for brain tumor patients who are not yet adults. It is not clear what age limit this organization uses.
They also don’t clearly publish their eligibility guidelines or application instructions. Instead, they simply direct users to email [email protected] for more information about how the process works.
The Butterfly Fund (Children Only)
The Butterfly Fund provides financial assistance to brain tumor patients who are 21 years old or younger. Children must be undergoing active treatment in order to be eligible.
Funds from this organization can be used to pay household expenses, travel expenses, professional counseling services or funeral costs. They do not usually cover medical costs, loan payments, or car repairs.
Unfortunately, this fund only assists children who are being treated at certain facilities around the United States. There are participating medical centers in Alabama, California, Colorado, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
In order to apply, you will need to confirm that your child is being treated at an approved facility. If they are, then you’ll need to talk to your medical personnel and ask for a referral to the Butterfly Fund.
Jenna’s Rainbow Foundation (Children Only)
Any child who was diagnosed with a brain tumor or spinal cord tumor before they turned 21 may be eligible for a grant from Jenna’s Rainbow Foundation. However, you will need to ask your child’s social worker or medical team to email [email protected] for an application.
This organization also offers career programs, creative programs, events and more for eligible patients and survivors.
Local Resources
There are many local organizations that offer financial assistance for brain tumor patients who live in their geographic area! These smaller charities are limited to people who live in their city, state, or region, so scroll to find your state subheading below.
California
San Diego Brain Tumor Foundation provides support groups and financial grants to help brain tumor patients in the San Diego community. If you are eligible, they can help you with housing, utilities, copays, prescriptions, groceries, gas cards, car repairs, meals and more.
In order to receive assistance from this organization, you need to apply. You can download the application from sdbtf.org. Once you submit it, it can take up to 30 days to receive approval.
Delaware
The Darren Daulton Foundation provides up to $3,000 in financial assistance to brain tumor patients in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This award can be given every 365 days!
In order to be eligible, you must be diagnosed with a malignant primary brain tumor and be actively undergoing treatment for that diagnosis. You must be able to show that this diagnosis has created a financial hardship for you. Proof of diagnosis, current medical pathology and address will be required.
If you’d like to apply, just fill out this form or visit the Darren Daulton Foundation website for details.
Illinois
There are several organizations in Illinois that offer financial assistance to brain tumor patients. These include Harley Helping Hands and Michael Matters Foundation.
Harley Helping Hands Foundation (HHH) provides grants to Illinois adults who are living with a malignant primary brain tumor. You will need to prove that you are over age 18 and an Illinois resident in order to receive assistance.
This organization has distributed more than $675,000 in grants since they began. Some of the past winners used their money to pay medical bills, caregivers, travel expenses, or to purchase expensive pain medications.
If you or someone you know might be eligible, you can fill out the application on the HHH website. If the patient doesn’t feel up to it, someone else like a spouse, friend, or medical professional can apply on their behalf.
Michael Matters Foundation provides grants worth up to $2,000 per family. These grants can be used to cover basic living expenses, medical bills, child care, adaptive technology, home mobility aids and more.
In order to be eligible, you must be an Illinois resident that has been diagnosed with a primary malignant brain tumor. You must have a household income that is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. You’ll be required to submit a pathology report with your application.
You can download the application from the Michael Matters Foundation website. You’ll need to fill it out, attach the required documentation, and submit it via email to be considered.
Kansas
Be Head Strong has provided financial support for brain tumor patients in the Kansas City area. This organization provides $1,360 per patient on average.
In order to apply for assistance, you will need to fill out the application on their website, submit the HIPAA authorization form, read the privacy statement and email your paperwork to their office.
New Jersey
The Darren Daulton Foundation serves New Jersey residents who have been diagnosed with a primary malignant brain tumor. Please see the description in the ‘Delaware’ section for details.
Ohio
Smiles for Sophie Forever is an organization that supports children who have been diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor. If your child is treated at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, then you may be able to receive help from this fund.
Pennsylvania
The Darren Daulton Foundation serves Pennsylvania residents who have been diagnosed with a primary malignant brain tumor. Please see the description in the ‘Delaware’ section for details.
Virginia
Noëlle C. Loving “But Tomorrow” Foundation provides financial assistance for brain tumor patients. It is not clear how much is provided or what the exact eligibility requirements are. The website simply instructs people to email [email protected] for details.
Wyoming
Jason’s Friends provides assistance to children under age 21 who have a brain tumor, spinal cord tumor or other cancer.
They provide financial assistance to affected families regardless of their income. They’ve distributed more than $7 million over more than 25 years! Their funds can be used to cover household bills, travel experiences, or your child’s insurance deductible.
In order to enroll, you’ll need to fill out a Family Enrollment Request application. You can get it by clicking “Enroll Today!” on JasonsFriends.org.
Summary
Many organizations offer financial assistance for brain tumor patients and their families! If you have been diagnosed with a tumor, whether it is malignant or benign, the resources on this list may be able to help you pay for your housing, travel, medical costs and more.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.