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Profiles > Philanthropy > American Kidney Fund |
| American Kidney Fund |
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American Kidney Fund
(AKF) was founded in 1971, to help a single individual with kidney failure pay for dialysis. More than 40 years later, AKF has become the leading source of direct financial aid to dialysis patients across the nation. The American Kidney Fund leads the nation in providing charitable assistance to dialysis patients who need help with the costs associated in treating kidney failure. In 2012, nearly 84,000 people – 20% of the dialysis patients in the United |
| States -- received assistance from the American Kidney Fund for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses. Millions of people nationwide benefit annually from the American Kidney Fund's efforts to fight kidney disease through public awareness campaigns, free health screenings, health education materials and courses, online outreach, and toll-free health information HelpLine. In 2012, Consumers Digest named the American Kidney Fund one of the nation’s top three health charities for spending efficiency. As an 11-time recipient of the top (four stars) rating from Charity Navigator, the American Kidney Fund is ranked among the top 1% of charities nationwide for fiscal accountability. In addition, the American Kidney Fund holds an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy; adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence; and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. |
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Mission
The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts. |
Values
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Putting Patients First: The American Kidney Fund is the charity of choice working to ensure that kidney patients have access to quality health care that they need.
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Leading with Integrity: The American Kidney Fund is recognized as a leading national health charity, known for its exemplary stewardship of the donated dollar.
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Being a Valued Partner: The American Kidney Fund establishes strong relationships and strategic partnerships to meet the needs of kidney patients and to carry out programs to prevent the disease.
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Promoting Team Excellence: AKF’s volunteer leadership and employees achieve a culture of excellence through individual initiative, creativity, teamwork, mutual respect, diversity and accountability.
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Increasing Public Awareness of Kidney Disease: The American Kidney Fund is recognized as a
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| Founded |
1971 |
| Headquarters |
Rockville, Maryland |
| Type |
Domestic |
| Recent Revenue |
$186,200,000 (2012) |
| Charity Navigator |
62.72 / 70.00 (four stars) |
| BBB |
Accredited 20/20 |
| Charity Watch |
None |
| Executive Compensation |
$412,200 |
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leader in providing health education and intervention to people who are at risk for kidney disease.
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| AKF Legacy
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The American Kidney Fund was founded in 1971 out of concern for a single individual who had been bankrupted by the costs associated with treating kidney failure. In its first year, AKF provided financial assistance to 79 patients who would not have otherwise been able to pay for life-saving dialysis treatments. Today, AKF has grown into the nation’s leading provider of charitable assistance to dialysis patients. In 2013, AKF helped more than 87,000 people pay for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses.
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Increasing Awareness of a Silent Killer: In 1980, the American Kidney Fund began a public education outreach program to promote its new toll-free patient assistance and kidney information line. Today, millions of people nationwide benefit from the American Kidney Fund's efforts to raise awareness of kidney disease through health education and prevention efforts. AKF's national campaign, Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease, empowers women to protect themselves, and the people they love, from kidney disease, our nation's 9th leading cause of death.
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Supporting Clinical Research: In 1974, the American Kidney Fund awarded its first research grant to Dr. Samuel L. Kountz, a pioneer in kidney transplantation from Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Kountz’s ground-breaking research in tissue typing led to the increased use of kidneys from unrelated donors. Today, AKF continues to support research though it’s Clinical Scientist in Nephrology (CSN) program, established in 1988 to improve the quality of care provided to kidney patients and promote clinical research in nephrology. Alumni of the CSN program have gone on to become leading academic researchers at institutions nationwide. In 2012, AKF named three CSN fellows, Dr. Sagar Nigwekar of Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Margaret Yu of the University of Washington and Dr. Katherine Lynch of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Advocating for Patients: From its earliest days, the American Kidney Fund has been an active advocate for public policy that ensures access to high quality care for kidney patients and supports research and prevention efforts. Today, AKF is actively engaged with the Congressional Kidney Caucus and others representing groups at risk for kidney disease, helping build understanding of the disease, its causes and how it can be prevented.
Programs / Areas of focus
Health Insurance Premium Programs: Through the Health Insurance Premium Program, the American Kidney Fund pays Part B Medicare, Medigap, commercial, and COBRA premiums for dialysis patients who have insufficient income and savings. These premium payments allow patients to continue their health insurance enabling coverage, access to physician care and medical treatment. HIPP is funded 100% by voluntary contributions from |
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| dialysis providers. HIPP serves as a “last resort” source of financial assistance. Last year, more than 70,000 dialysis patients in the United States were able to maintain their insurance coverage thanks to grants from HIPP. |
| American Kidney Fund Safety Net Grants: The AKF Safety Net Grant program helps dialysis patients who are in need of assistance with treatment-related expenses that insurance does not cover. In 2013, generous contributions from supporters nationwide allowed the American Kidney Fund to provide Safety Net Grants to more than 16,000 patients. Patients may use American Kidney Fund Safety Net Grants for a variety of purposes: |
- Treatment-specific expenses: AKF helps patients pay for transportation to reach dialysis; over-the-counter medicines; medication co-payments; and other necessities, such as dentures.
- Nutritional products, and durable medical supplies: AKF has contracted with mail-order pharmacies to provide nutritional supplements and supplies at discount prices, thereby increasing the purchasing power of patients’ grants.
- Kidney donor expenses: AKF can provide assistance with a one-time grant of up to $100 to assist with the donor’s out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, lost wages and lodging.
- The cost of dialysis while traveling: Patients or facilities may be reimbursed for the 20% of treatment costs not covered by Medicare or any other source for emergency transient dialysis. Grants are limited to travel necessitated by death or serious illness in the family, or for the purpose of kidney transplant workup only.
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Free Online Courses for Health Care Professionals: The American Kidney Fund offers online courses that meet the continuing education requirements of health care professionals caring for patients with, or at risk for, kidney disease -- to earn credits, select a course, complete the learning module(s), and take the associated exam and evaluation. This learning opportunity was developed by the American Kidney Fund in partnership with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Nephrology Nurses Association, Renal Physicians Association and Tulane University. The course provides a wealth of information on three Medicare education benefits: Kidney Disease Education, Diabetes Self-Management Training and Medical Nutrition Therapy. Clinical Scientist in Nephrology Program: The goal of the Clinical Scientist in Nephrology (CSN) Program is to improve the quality of care provided to kidney patients and to promote clinical research in nephrology. This goal is achieved by enhancing the training of nephrologists who wish to pursue an academic career and whose primary professional commitment is to scholarship in the provision of patient care. Awardees conduct prevention and outcomes research while receiving advanced training in essential skills such as medical ethics, biostatistics and epidemiology. A Clinical Scientist in Nephrology fellowship may be granted yearly. The maximum duration of each fellowship is two years. The maximum level of funding is $80,000 per year and shall be used principally to support the candidate and his/her career development. This sum is expected to cover the individual fellow’s salary (which will follow NIH Guidelines according to the post-graduate year plus comparable fringe benefits at the institution, not to exceed $50,000) as well as training-related expenses.
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Recent Accomplishments
Thanks to the generosity of many Americans who care about their friends and neighbors with kidney disease. In 2013, more than 87,000 people -- one out of every five American dialysis patients -- received assistance from the American Kidney Fund for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses. Ninety-seven cents of every dollar spent by the American Kidney Fund went directly to programs and services. Millions of people nationwide benefit annually from the AKF’s efforts to fight kidney disease through health education and prevention efforts. The American Kidney Fund’s national campaign, Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease, empowers women to protect themselves -- and the people they love -- from kidney disease. |
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Strategic Alliances
In 2012, AKF engaged 17 national organizational partners to help prevent and control the impact of kidney disease. Many partners, such as the National Episcopal Health Ministries and the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA), distributed AKF’s educational materials to their membership. The National Baptist Convention (USA) promoted AKF’s educational materials to its health leaders during Kidney Month in March. The American Association of Diabetes Educators worked with AKF to create new accredited educational courses for its professional membership. |
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| TO Donate : www.kidneyfund.org |
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Credits --
www.kidneyfund.org
www.kidney.org
www.charitynavigator.org
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