Why fundraise for Cancer Council Victoria?

Where your money goes

Every life saved, every call answered, and every breakthrough discovered depends on more than goodwill alone. It takes investment in skilled people, strong systems and sustainable funding to create real, lasting impact.

Thanks to generous supporters like you, and the relentless efforts of Cancer Council Victoria since 1936, we are able to invest in preventing cancer, supporting people affected by cancer, and driving world class research—today and into the future.

The impact of your support

In just five years, 23,000 more lives were saved thanks to improvements in screening, early detection and treatment over the past two decades.

With your support, in 2025 we have:

Funded 16 new research grants across eight research institutes, universities and hospitals, all working to prevent, detect and treat cancer.

Responded to more than 11,352 requests for information and support, with our cancer nurses providing compassionate, expert guidance to people when they need it most through 13 11 20.

After years of advocacy the National Lung Cancer Screening Program was introduced. The program is expected to save thousands of lives, because 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated if detected early.

How your support is invested

Thanks to our generous supporters, Cancer Council Victoria is making a difference across cancer prevention, early detection, research and supportive care.

Each year, we invest in:

Cancer research ($27 million): Funding world class research across Victoria, including advances in immunotherapy and personalised treatments that are improving cancer survival.

Cancer prevention and early detection ($25 million): Delivering world-leading programs such as SunSmart and Quit, and raising awareness about bowel, cervical, lung and breast screening programs that reduce health care costs and save lives.

Cancer support ($8.9 million): Ensuring people affected by cancer don’t have to face cancer alone, providing access to free cancer information and support and advocating for equitable and affordable care nationwide.

Together, these investments provide hope now and into the future for all people affected by cancer.

Expenditure

Expenditure 2024
Expenditure 2025

 

See your impact in action

Dr Philip Arandjelovic

Cracking the code on liver cancer

Dr Philip Arandjelovic, a Cancer Council Victoria Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient at WEHI, is part of a team asking one of the most pressing questions in liver cancer biology: Where does cancer begin in the liver?

Read more

Prof. Nick Huntington

Transforming heartbreak into hope

The heartbreak of watching his friend exhaust every possible option drives Prof. Nick Huntington's determination to speed up the process of turning scientific discoveries into real-world treatments.

Read more

Prof. Matthias Ernst

You've helped make 3 game-changing discoveries

Professor Matthias Ernst’s research into metastatic pancreatic cancer as part of our Grants-in-Aid program is already bringing exciting results..

Read more

Our income in 2025

Our work would not be possible without the kindness of Victorians. Every dollar given counts. In 2025, we received $36.4 million in fundraising revenue, including:

  • $19.3 milion from bequests (gifts in Wills)
  • $9.6 million from events
  • $7.5 million from donations. 

In addition, we received $47.8 million from external funding, including government support, with a further $9 million from other sources such as retail, interest and dividends.

This diversified income allows us to plan for the long term and respond where the health and wellbeing needs of Victorians are greatest.

A snapshot of our financial results for 2025. Our complete audited financial results are available here.

Revenue

2024 Revenue
2025 Revenue

Fundraising revenue

2024 Fundraising
2025 Fundraising

For every dollar raised

For every dollar donated to us, 80 cents is invested in cancer research, prevention, advocacy and support, helping to prevent cancer, empower people and save lives. (Based on 2025 financial results).
The remaining 20 cents is supports the people, systems and governance that make this impact possible.


This 20 cents funds essential capabilities such as:

  • skilled staff who deliver and manage programs safely and effectively
  • financial oversight, governance and accountability 
  • technology, data and systems that protect information and improve services
  • fundraising capability that generates future income and extends our reach and allows us to connect with new audiences

Investing in these areas ensures our work is ethical, effective and sustainable—so we can continue making a difference for all Victorians.

Making every dollar count

We work hard to get the greatest possible value from every dollar entrusted to us. By investing wisely in both programs and the capabilities that support them, we can:

  • conduct and fund ground breaking discoveries that are revolutionising cancer treatment, prevention, detection and care
  • deliver prevention and early-detection programs that save lives and reduce future health care costs
  • support people through their cancer experience, so no one has to face cancer alone

With you by our side, we are making a powerful and lasting difference for people affected by cancer—now and for generations to come.

For more information

If you would like to review a snapshot of our financials take a look at our Annual Review. Or our complete audited financial results are available here. You may also like to take a look at the following:

About Cancer Council Victoria
Our mission: Prevent cancer, Empower people. Save lives.

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Annual Review
This report is designed to give our stakeholders an insight into the diversity of the services we deliver.

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Latest News
Read more about the work we’re doing and the difference we’re making.

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Support us

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