We are thrilled to announce that the Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors, known as IronMatt, is officially a 100% Model nonprofit. This is a major milestone that will maximize impact for kids fighting pediatric brain tumors
At IronMatt, we’ve always believed that families facing pediatric brain tumors deserve our full-hearted, full-powered support. Every child matters. Every family matters. And now, every dollar donated will matter even more.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters over the years, we are now able to cover all of our operating costs through a dedicated endowment fund. That means 100% of every donation will go directly to our mission: funding life-saving pediatric brain tumor research and providing urgent financial assistance to families in crisis.
This is more than a milestone. It’s a promise.
It means that every time you donate to IronMatt:
- You’re helping a family cover their mortgage or car payment while their child undergoes treatment.
- You’re funding the next generation of medical breakthroughs in pediatric neuro-oncology.
- You’re offering hope, healing, and relief where it’s needed most.
Why a 100% Model Matters
Pediatric brain tumors are the #1 cause of cancer-related death in children. Yet despite their devastating impact, they remain drastically underfunded in both government and private research initiatives. Families facing this diagnosis not only face emotional devastation but financial devastation as well.
IronMatt was founded to change that. And for 17 years, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we have:
- Provided over $5.5 million in direct family assistance,
- Helped more than 2,500 families across 48 states.
- Funded 100 research grants totaling $8.5 million to help find a cure.
Becoming a 100% Model organization allows us to go even further. As CEO Matt Giegerich announced at this year’s March Mattness event:
“Every dollar we raise will go directly—100%—to our mission: helping find a cure and supporting families affected by this devastating diagnosis.”
Built on a Legacy of Courage
IronMatt was born out of the heartbreaking but heroic journey of Matthew Larson, who battled a pediatric brain tumor with tremendous courage until his passing at just 7 years old. His parents, Kelly and Greg Larson, saw firsthand how a diagnosis like this can disrupt every part of a family’s life—from careers to finances to mental health. And they knew they had to do something.
Today, their vision has grown into a national movement, powered by generous donors, dedicated volunteers, world-class medical advisors, and hundreds of families who have experienced the impact of IronMatt firsthand.
From funding cutting-edge research like the recent CAR-T cell study for DIPG (co-led by our own Dr. Michelle Monje) to covering bills so parents can stay by their child’s side, IronMatt is working to make the future brighter for every IronKid.
What’s Next
While we celebrate this milestone, we know our work is far from over. As our CEO, Matt Giegerich said in his March Mattness address:
“There are about 5,500 new cases of pediatric brain and spinal tumors in the U.S. each year. Currently we are reaching fewer than 5% of this total. Many, many more families across the country need our help.”
To meet that need, our goals for the coming years include:
- Reaching more families by expanding our national network of social workers, hospital partners, and referring organizations.
- Growing our donor base beyond the New York/New Jersey region and building partnerships across the U.S.
- Streamlining our processes through technology, so we can serve more families faster and more efficiently.
- Funding more research, including promising immunotherapy and targeted treatment trials that could transform survival outcomes.
What You Can Do
We’re proud to be a 100% Model organization—but we can’t do this alone. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to our mission, now is the perfect time to get involved:
- Donate: Every dollar goes where it counts. Make a one-time or recurring gift at IronMatt.org/donate.
- Spread the word: Share our story with your friends, family, and followers on social media.
- Get involved: Attend an event, become a volunteer, or help fundraise for IronMatt in your community.
Every act of generosity adds up. Every contribution helps a child. Every gift matters.
Because Kids Deserve Everything We’ve Got
At IronMatt, we believe that no child should face cancer alone. No parent should have to choose between a paycheck and being by their child’s bedside. And no diagnosis should be met with silence instead of scientific discovery.
Becoming a 100% Model Charity sets us apart—but it also brings us closer to the reason IronMatt was founded in the first place: to honor Matthew Larson’s memory by making sure no family has to face this journey alone.
Now more than ever, your donation goes further. It funds solutions. It fuels hope. It supports real families, right now.
That’s why we’re here.
And now, with our 100% Model in place, your support will go further than ever before.
Let’s make every gift count.
Together, we’re not just fighting cancer. We’re fighting for their future.
