Introduction

The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to accelerating the progress in prevention, cure and living with Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association and each affiliated chapter share a single vision and mission and are incorporated as independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities. The entire Association follows the same set of philanthropic guidelines and standards.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability

The Alzheimer’s Association national organization is proud to meet the Standards for Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and to display the BBB Wise Giving Seal.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance is a charity watchdog that collects and distributes information on hundreds of nonprofit organizations that solicit nationally or have national or international program services. The Alliance has developed 20 comprehensive standards for charitable organizations to follow and to help donors make sound giving decisions.

Learn more about the BBB Wise Giving Alliance report on the Alzheimer’s Association >>

Donor Bill of Rights

The Alzheimer’s Association adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights. The bill was created by the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

The Donor Bill of Rights:

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.

4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

5. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

6. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Our philanthropic standards

The entire Alzheimer’s Association is committed to highly responsible and ethical organizational standards in conducting our fundraising efforts.

1. We prepare and manage comprehensive annual fund development plans that meet our financial goals.

2. To ensure that our fundraising programs promote and support one seamless organization, national and chapters coordinate and conduct fundraising efforts with full cooperation and disclosure.

3. We work to ensure that annual fundraising and administration costs do not exceed 25 percent of total annual expenses.

4. We communicate accurately and truthfully about the Association, our mission and the intended use of solicited funds.

5. We respect the rights and wishes of donors, including the intended use of contributions and requests for donor anonymity.

6. We have written policies governing the acceptance and disposition of charitable gifts.

7. We have policies to govern staff, volunteers, consultants, contractors, businesses, and other organizations that solicit contributions on behalf of the Association.

Direct Marketing Association standards

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is a trade association focused on ethical marketing standards. As a member, the Alzheimer’s Association adheres to its standards and practices when sending direct mail to our constituents.

Overview of DMA’s ethical business practices >>

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the National Board of Directors is responsible for assisting the board in its financial oversight responsibilities, including the audit process and the code of ethics for the CEO, CFO and other principal accounting officers.

View Audit Committee

Conflict of interest

No individual, interested person or chapter shall engage in any course of conduct which may result in an actual or potential conflict of interest with the Alzheimer's Association or any chapter. Staff, board members and their immediate family members may not derive personal, professional or proprietary benefit from any business or other opportunity to the detriment of the Association.