Friends' Programs

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Contact the Friends

Friends' Annual Funding Allocations and Special Funds

Friends' funding is unique at Dana-Farber as each year, the Friends allocate every dollar raised to specific projects and programs at the Institute through a competitive grant process. We support promising early-stage research, young investigators, and patient care projects that might not otherwise receive funding.

Friends' donors of $1,000 or more can designate their contributions to a specific researcher, disease, or department at Dana-Farber through a special fund in their names or in the name of a loved one. Contact the Friends' for more information.

See the list of Annual Funding Allocations

Special Funds Information

Art Program

The Friends curate a museum-quality contemporary art collection for Dana-Farber, helping create a comforting healing environment for patients, families, and staff. Find out more about the art program.

The Friends' Corner Gift Shop

Established by the Friends in 1977, the Friends' Corner Gift Shop offers a wide selection of gifts and everyday items to patients, families, and staff. Shop proceeds continue to support Friends' funding of research and patient care at Dana-Farber, so every dollar spent at Friends' Corner supports our research and patient care.

Friends' Fellows and Investigators

The Friends Fellowship, awarded every year since 1976, funds gifted investigators pursuing independent pilot studies. Friends named their inaugural Friends Investigators in 2025 and look forward to awarding many more in the future.

See the list of Friends' Fellows AND INVESTIGATORS since 1976

Holiday Programs

In late fall, Friends volunteers bring cheer to the Institute by decking the halls for the winter holidays.

Patient Gift Bags

Friends deliver gift bags monthly to Dana-Farber patients. Volunteers take a few moments to speak with recipients as well as provide a small gift bag to each person.

Friends' Donations to Dana-Farber

The Dana-Farber Chapel

In 1990, the Friends raised more than $100,000 to design, construct, and furnish the Dana-Farber chapel, a spiritual sanctuary for patients and family members of all denominations.

Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, Endowed Chair

The Friends made a lead gift to this $2.5 million endowment to establish the Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, Chair at Dana-Farber. The Benz Chair will provide a permanent fund that can be used to recruit exceptional new talent and bolster the Institute’s clinical and research structure.

Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Endowed Chair

The Friends made a lead gift to this $3 million endowment to establish the Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Chair at Dana-Farber. The Glimcher Chair provides current and future Dana-Farber presidents with a powerful tool to expand faculty talent that enriches the entire Dana-Farber community and benefits our patients.

Friends' 10

From 1993 to 1998, this satellite group raised more than $1 million to support AIDS research and awareness.

Friends' Place

Established with a $1 million gift from the Friends, this welcoming space provides specialized products and services that cater to the individual needs of men, women, and teens affected by cancer. Learn about Friends' Place.

The Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic

The clinic serves the growing need for cancer screening and counseling about risk factors and cancer care.

Prostate Awareness for Research and Treatment (P.A.R.T.)

The Friends' started this program in 1998, raising more than $1 million to endow a fellow each year to focus on a disease that affects more than 250,000 American men and their families.