The Mary Kay Ash Foundation continues its long-standing commitment to women’s health and safety. In 2026, the Foundation awarded more than $2.5 million in grants for cancer research and domestic violence support programs across the United States.
This year also marks two major milestones. The Foundation celebrates 30 years of enriching women’s lives and has now donated more than $100 million toward its dual mission.
The Foundation provided critical funding to shelters and organizations that help women and families in crisis.
Fifty-one shelters in 50 states and U.S. territories each received $20,000 grants. The total reached $1,020,000 in unrestricted funds. These grants support mental health and post-trauma counseling, childcare, financial assistance, emergency housing, transitional housing, and other life-saving services.
Four North Texas shelters received $25,000 each, for a total of $100,000. The partners are Denton County Friends of the Family, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, and The Family Place. The funds address specific and immediate community needs for women fleeing domestic violence.
The Foundation expanded its partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect with a $75,000 grant. The funding will support a digital and social marketing campaign. The campaign aims to educate teens and young adults about healthy relationships, help them recognize warning signs of abuse, and connect them to free, confidential support services through social channels and online platforms.
For the 20th consecutive year, the Foundation serves as Presenting Sponsor of The Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas. The $75,000 sponsorship supports this annual event, which draws about 3,000 attendees from around the world. The conference focuses on all forms of crimes against women and encourages a coordinated community response.
The Foundation also directed significant funding toward research and patient support for cancers that primarily affect women.
Ten leading researchers from accredited universities each received $100,000 grants, totaling $1 million. These competitive awards support studies focused on breast, ovarian, uterine, endometrial, cervical, and other cancers that mainly affect women.
The Foundation awarded $134,000 as the second-year installment of a five-year, $500,000 commitment. The funding supports the Texas Cancer Interception Institute. This program focuses on early cancer detection through biomarker technology, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) blood-based methods, and patient navigation to improve outcomes when cancer is most treatable.
A $75,000 grant continues a partnership that has lasted more than 25 years. The Foundation is the sole corporate funder of CancerCare’s Touching Hearts program. The program provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment. To date, it has delivered more than 50,000 grants totaling over $5.6 million.
A $25,000 grant supports free programs and services for people undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers. Offerings include counseling, community connections, health and wellness classes, yoga, and other resources available in person and online.
Michael Lunceford, President of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board of Directors, shared the Foundation’s perspective:
“These grants are an investment in hope and brighter futures for women facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. For 30 years, the Foundation has turned hope into action, investing more than $100 million in exceptional researchers and organizations working to change lives. We are proud to support the medical breakthroughs and vital services that are helping women live healthier, safer lives and creating lasting impact for generations to come.”
The Mary Kay Ash Foundation continues its work to support women’s shelters, domestic violence service providers, and cancer research programs across the U.S. For more information, visit marykayashfoundation.org.
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