About
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is a national childhood cancer charity headquartered in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. It grew out of a single front-yard lemonade stand held in 2000 by four-year-old Alexandra "Alex" Scott, who was battling neuroblastoma and wanted to give the money to doctors so they could "help other kids, like they helped me." The foundation describes itself as the largest independent charity dedicated to childhood cancer research and family support in the United States.
Mission
ALSF states that it is "changing the lives of children with cancer by funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer." Its guiding vision comes from Alex herself: find cures for all children battling cancer.
History
Alex Scott was born in Manchester, Connecticut in 1996 and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma shortly before her first birthday. In 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, she received a stem cell transplant and told her mother she wanted to hold a lemonade stand when she got out of the hospital. Her first stand raised more than 2,000 dollars for "her hospital," and she and her family continued to hold yearly stands while supporters around the world followed her example. Alex passed away in August 2004 at age 8, knowing she had raised more than 1 million dollars for childhood cancer research. Her parents, Liz and Jay Scott, and her brothers carried her legacy forward through the foundation, which received its IRS 501(c)(3) ruling in 2005; Liz and Jay Scott serve as co-executive directors.
What they do
- Research grants: ALSF has funded more than 1,500 research projects at nearly 150 institutions in the U.S. and Canada, from early-stage innovative research to clinical trials.
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab: a team of scientists and engineers building data and tools for pediatric cancer researchers.
- The Crazy 8 Initiative: brings together pediatric cancer researchers to pursue cures for the hardest-to-treat childhood cancers.
- Travel For Care: covers gas, hotel and flight costs for families who must travel for their child's treatment.
- SuperSibs: mailings and online activities supporting siblings of kids with cancer.
- Flashes of Hope: free professional photo sessions, provided to nearly 90,000 families.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, for the fiscal year ending December 2025 ALSF reported total revenue of 32,698,858 dollars (about 93 percent from contributions), total expenses of 29,291,151 dollars, and net assets of 36,030,797 dollars. ALSF notes it has received top ratings from Charity Navigator, GuideStar and America's Best Charities.
Governance
ALSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 56-2496146) led by co-executive directors Liz Scott and Jay Scott, Alex's parents, and is overseen by a Board of Directors, an Advisory Council and scientific advisory boards.