12 Leading Dementia and Alzheimer’s Charities for 2024

Perhaps the most well-known organization for Alzheimer’s and other dementia donations, the Alzheimer’s Association was founded in 1980 by caregivers and scientists who wanted to support people with the disease while advancing research.

In its largest research investment ever, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that it granted $100 million to more than 271 scientific investigations in 2023.^[01] In all, the association explains that it’s investing more than $300 million in over 920 projects globally.

Supporters can donate money, participate in events, or advocate for more public funding. This organization’s most notable events include the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day.

Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) is a federation of dementia associations with more than 100 nonprofit members around the world. It was established in 1984 through a combined initiative of Alzheimer’s associations in the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

While ADI’s role in its early years was to make connections between existing associations, it has grown to focus on public policy and the recognition of dementia as a global health priority.

You can support ADI through donations, participation in World Alzheimer’s Month activities, or support for Alzheimer’s associations in your country.

ADI works to increase public knowledge about dementia through:

• Providing a platform for associations that advocate making dementia a national priority
• Raising awareness through public policy
• Offering assistance to people with dementia and their caregivers
• Publishing the World Alzheimer Report
• Coordinating the World Alzheimer’s Month
• Facilitating research and innovation

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The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) was founded in 1998 by brothers Ronald S. and Leonard A. Lauder of the Estée Lauder Companies cosmetics brand. The nonprofit organization makes investments in research, not grants. This type of philanthropy model generates investment returns that are “channeled right back into our science,” the organization states.

The ADDF solely focuses on developing drugs to prevent, treat, and cure the disease. It provides scientific leadership and venture capital for “innovative, often underfunded” areas of research.

According to the organization, the ADDF has awarded over $273 million to fund nearly 731 drug discovery programs, biomarker programs, and clinical trials as of 2023. The organization explains that it has supported 20% of Alzheimer’s drugs in clinical development.^[02]

The ADDF accepts individual donations and corporate partnership opportunities. Additionally, supporters can create a fundraiser, shop for a cure in the online store, or make a planned gift.

Founded in 2002 by a caregiver whose mother lived with the disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) was created for families in need. Their main initiatives include:

• A hotline staffed by licensed social workers
• A National Memory Screening Program with free screenings across the U.S.
• Training and continuing education for professional caregivers
• Providing grants to organizations offering direct care to people with Alzheimer’s

Over 5 million people have undergone screening sponsored by the AFA, according to the organization.^[03] The foundation also notes that it has trained and educated more than 200,000 people through its programs. To support the AFA, anyone can donate money on a one-time or monthly basis, organize a fundraiser, engrave a brick for a loved one, participate in a virtual walk, shop in the online store, and more.

Read more:How to Find a Memory Care Facility

Founded by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation collaborates with organizations trying to defeat specific diseases of the brain and nervous system. For example, its research partners include the Alzheimer’s Association, Parkinson’s Foundation, the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, American Epilepsy Society, and more.

In 2023, the American Brain Foundation funded 13 new researchers through the Next Generation Research Grants.^[04] The American Brain Foundation reports that it’s granted over $33 million for research with funding and scholarships for more than 270 researchers. The foundation notes that 86% of its researchers have gone on to get funding from the National Institutes of Health and other national funders.

You can contribute financially to the American Brain Foundation through one-time gifts or monthly donations, stocks or securities, a donor-advised fund, memorials, and more. Additionally, the American Brain Foundation encourages donation through the National Institutes of Health NeuroBioBank.

Helen-Ann Comstock founded The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) in 2002 after caring for her late husband who had the disease. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the most common dementia in people under 60, according to the organization.

In 2021, the AFTD helped more than 3,379 individuals through its helpline, facilitated nearly 80 support groups, and distributed over 700 grants to people with FTD and their families, according to the 2023 annual report.^[05]

AFTD funds research toward diagnosis, treatment, and a cure. Additionally, the dementia organization raises awareness about the disease and advocates for research and affordable services. Besides monetary donations, you can create or participate in a Grassroots Event, shop through Amazon Smile, or donate a vehicle.

Originally an academic research consortium, the Bluefield Project was founded as a nonprofit organization in 2010 with a mission to develop drugs to treat frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This type of dementia is a degenerative brain disease that’s commonly a cause of dementia for people under age 60.

According to the foundation, the Bluefield Project has funded over 25 investigators whose work led to two clinical trials and two patent applications. Additionally, the foundation reports that it has screened almost 500,000 compounds, published nearly 100 papers, and trained more than 50 scientists in FTD research.^[06]

Besides funding research at top academic institutions, The Bluefield Project fosters close relationships between discovery scientists and clinical neurologists as a way to shorten the path to a cure. Supporters can donate funds to the Bluefield Project or potentially volunteer as study participants through the foundation.

The BrightFocus Foundation targets brain and eye health with a current focus on Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Founded in 1973, the organization has had some major successes throughout the years, including early research to support the artificial heart program.

The BrightFocus Foundation reports it has invested nearly $290 million in research grants as of 2023. Over the past three years, it’s funded almost $60 million as part of a scientific portfolio with more than 260 projects. Importantly, the foundation provided early funding to develop the first blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s.^[07]

Those interested in this dementia research charity can contribute to the BrightFocus Foundation by participating in a clinical trial, partnering at a corporate level, starting a Facebook Fundraiser, or donating individual contributions.

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In 2004, three families founded the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund using their experience in venture capital and corporate start-ups. Its goal is to stop Alzheimer’s through early prediction, prevention, and effective intervention leading to a cure.

The organization has funded over $146 million for research and awarded more than 600 grants, with all donations going to research because board members finance overhead expenses.^[08]

Initiatives funded by the organization include a potential treatment selected for the National Institute of Health Blueprint for Neuroscience Research program and the “Alzheimer’s in a Dish” study, which could accelerate drug testing.

Supporters can donate funds, host a fundraising event, sell with eBay for Charity, or buy through Amazon Smile. Additionally, they can contribute through planned gifts, securities, vehicle donations, and even weddings.

The Dementia Society of America, also known as the Dementia Society Inc., was founded by Kevin Jameson, whose wife of 32 years died from dementia. The organization focuses on supporting people living with dementia, no matter the cause.

The Dementia Society of America offers a few different support initiatives to caregivers and people with dementia:

• An information hotline
• An array of online educational resources
• A web-based locater to connect users with support near them
• The Ginny Gives Program, which underwrites nonmedical activities for people with dementia, like music therapy, singing, sensory stimulation, and visual arts

Those interested in this organization can financially support it through monetary contributions, donating a car or boat, buying with Amazon Smile, planning a fundraiser, creating a GoFundMe, and more.

The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation is an organization supporting the Fisher Center at The Rockefeller University. Considered one of the largest and most modern facilities for Alzheimer’s research, the Fisher Center was founded in 1995 by philanthropists Zachary Fisher and David Rockefeller.

As a notable dementia research charity, the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation has “provided researchers around the globe with a conceptual framework for understanding the disease” and continues to lead research for finding a cure.^[09]

Supporters of the Fisher Center can donate monetary gifts on a one-time or monthly basis.

The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) was formed by caregivers in an online support group who discussed a need for more assistance and a lack of awareness about the disease. The disease is the most misdiagnosed form of dementia, yet the second most common form of progressive dementia behind Alzheimer’s, according to the association.

The LBDA supports people with Lewy body dementia and their loved ones and promotes scientific advancement. For families, its website has an extensive library of resources and access to support groups.

It also trained more than 7,500 professionals in the clinical management of Lewy body dementia and connected more than 8,000 people with licensed professionals that year. To support the LBDA, you can give monetary donations, facilitate a support group, provide in-kind donations of professional services, plan a fundraiser, donate an unwanted vehicle or boat, and more.