2008 Funding Feasibility Report
Summary of Specific Findings
in Support of $25 Million ICAN Campaign Goal
for Enhanced Patient Program Services

The recently conducted feasibility review and donor research to determine the overall feasibility of a planned major gift campaign for the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN) was highly positive in terms of expectancies and outcomes in six of eight key statistical groupings:

• Overall positive perception of the need for support of cancer patients and their families
• Acknowledgement of the need for increased Program Services funding in the area of information services, evaluation of therapeutic regimens, accessibility of information, and patient support programs
• Awareness of current fiscal challenges facing all small to medium-sized non-profit organizations relative to relationships with untapped external funding sources and new potential donors
• Personal experience reinforcing the importance of advocacy and information for cancer patients and their families
• Perception of ICAN as fulfilling an otherwise unmet service requirement in the community (and nation) and its overall documentable need for funding
• Appreciation of the need for organizational enhancements and technology as part of capacity building initiatives

The expectation that both ICAN senior staff and Board leadership will successfully inaugurate and complete a major gifts campaign and will provide programs and services to cancer patients and their families (in the context of a tightly defined purview) was very well received by respondents. The variety, uniqueness, and ProgramServices options inherent in the fund development initiatives for ICAN created a high level of appeal for individual donors, family foundations, and trustees.

The concept of the ICAN campaign was also highly appealing to regional and national private foundations and individual donors, as it offers a variety of funding opportunities at the national and international level. Respondents expressed a high degree of support for the mission of ICAN, the formation of the campaign, and the uniqueness of the vision. They also expressed an overall confidence in the prospect for success and envisioned a positive outcome for the campaign based on documentation of the following criteria:

• Investment opportunities vs. donations
• Evidence of support from ICAN Boards and Councils and the organization’s many volunteers
• Stewardship of donated funds
• Successful completion of seed funding and infrastructure activities, presence of a strong and active Campaign Steering Committee, and involvement of key members of the philanthropic community.