About Your Contributions and Other Payments for Our Events

Thank you for your generous and critical support for the American Cancer Society.  This policy describes our treatment of contributions and payments associated with our events that we receive to advance our charitable mission. 

Mission: When it comes to cancer, we are the only organization attacking from every angle. Breakthrough research. Patient and caregiver assistance with treatment—like free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment. Prevention education to help people stay healthy. Policy advocacy. And all this continues even as we help cancer patients and their caregivers face COVID-19.  Because our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of people by preventing and treating cancer, we depend on you.  And we are pleased you share in our mission. 

Charitable Contributions and Other Payments. The American Cancer Society (“ACS”) is a qualified public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Your contributions through our events is considered a charitable donation to ACS and tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For that reason, charitable contributions that we received through events like Relay for Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Real Men Wear Pink, and others are not refundable.  Your gifts are critical sources of our mission funding.  For companies and individuals serving as sponsors of our events, we are grateful and provide additional specifics about your contributions as sponsorship.  In addition to contributions, some events are ticketed.  All ticket sales to events, such as galas and golf tournaments, are final and are not refundable.  While you may receive some exchange benefits at the event, such as meals or entertainment, we put these payments towards our mission.  Please consult with your own tax advisor regarding the deductibility and treatment of your contributions and other payments.

Charitable Purpose Served by Event Income. Our events are being conducted to fundraise and encourage engagement in furtherance of the ACS charitable mission.  We have unrestricted use of the contributions and other payments associated with our events to serve our mission.  

Discretionary Authority. We retain full discretion and control over our events, including planning, schedule, and operations. ACS reserves the right to reschedule or cancel an event for circumstances beyond our reasonable control, or any other reason we deem it necessary or advisable, including without limitation, safety, health and wellbeing of our attendees, volunteers, staff or partners, logistical complications, public health concerns, severe weather forecast or other circumstances potentially affecting event operations, attendance or success. In such cases, ACS will make reasonable efforts to provide timely notice of postponement or cancelation.  For ticketed events, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or to exchange the ticket for a comparable event. We will notify you of changes.

Bottom Line:  At the American Cancer Society, we're on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we'll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients and their caregivers, advocating for policy, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better.  We appreciate your support and understanding as we continue our mission to lead the fight for a world without cancer during these trying times and we wish safety and good health for you and your families.