Meet the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

What is the mission of AFA?

Our mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and fund research for better treatment and a cure.

What was the catalyst for starting the organization? How has it evolved over time?

AFA was founded in 2002 by Bert Brodsky, a family caregiver whose mother, Anne, lived with Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade. During that time, Bert felt there was nowhere to turn for help. There were no helplines, educational programs or support groups readily available. He created AFA to ensure families would always have somewhere to go for guidance and support if Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia illness entered their lives.

Since 2002, our programs, services and support offerings have grown tremendously. Our AFA Helpline provides support and guidance seven days a week through phone, text message and web chat. Our National Memory Screening Program has provided free memory screenings to more than 5.1 million people. We have delivered millions of dollars in funding for community-based services and research toward better treatment and a cure. We are proud of that growth, and we are excited to build on it in the future.

In one word, what sets AFA apart from other organizations?

Care.

Everyone needs care at some point in their lives. Alzheimer’s creates enormous challenges and stress for both the person diagnosed and those who love and care for them. Our focus is on ensuring they receive the highest possible quality of care.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s cannot be done alone. Families need education, guidance and support. Through our programs, publications and webinars, we empower families to care for their loved ones and connect them with resources. Our training and certification courses help dementia care professionals and healthcare workers enhance their skills and elevate the level of care they provide. Our public policy division advocates for additional federal caregiver support resources. We will always work toward better care because care will always remain essential.

What are you most excited about for the future of AFA?

Continued growth in furtherance of our mission. We are extremely proud of our accomplishments thus far, but we know there is more work to be done. Alzheimer’s disease is already a public health crisis, and it is projected to impact significantly more people in the years ahead. As the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s grows, so does the need for care and support.

Finding new ways to meet that need and provide help to even more families during their time of need has been my focus since day one and always will be.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to other nonprofit leaders to help them be successful?

Stay focused on your organization’s mission. Before making a decision or starting a new initiative, ask yourself how it advances your mission. If you cannot clearly explain how it does, it is worth re-evaluating.

What impact does having the right banking partner have on your organization?

Flexibility is essential. We’ve worked hard to diversify our revenue streams, balancing earned revenue from our programs and businesses with contributions and grants that allow us to subsidize high-impact initiatives.

When challenges arise, whether it’s a pandemic or shifts in funding, that flexibility allows us to adapt. I would also say: Listen to the people you serve. Through neighborhood canvassing, surveys and conversations, we’ve learned that the best ideas often come from the community itself. Our job is to respond thoughtfully and honestly to what’s needed.

What impact does having the right banking partner have on your organization?

Strong relationships are built on trust. As all nonprofit organizations should, we take our fiduciary responsibility to donors and the families we serve very seriously. They trust us to use funds responsibly. We are proud to hold Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating for financial efficiency and accountability.

Having a trusted financial partner to help manage donor dollars in a fiscally efficient and effective manner is vital to both our operations and reputation.

Can you tell us about your partnership with your banker? How did it begin, and how has it evolved?

Our relationship with Customers Bank began several years ago when one of our board members recommended them based on his positive experience. Over time, we have built strong relationships with the team that serves our account. They are responsive, helpful and effective.

That consistency has built trust. Customers Bank has demonstrated that they care about our organization’s success and share our commitment to managing donor funds efficiently and responsibly. They have also supported our work through charitable contributions, which we greatly appreciate. We value them because they value us.