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Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Association is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, with over $430M invested in nearly 1,000 projects since 1980.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association was founded in 1980 by a group of caregivers and researchers who merged several regional organizations to form a unified national body. Jerome Stone, whose wife had Alzheimer's, served as the first board chair, and the organization has since grown into the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, and research. The association funds research across the full spectrum of Alzheimer's and dementia science: basic biology, drug discovery, clinical trials, and prevention studies. Its portfolio includes grants for early-career investigators through major multimillion-dollar initiatives. Named programs include the Part the Cloud research program, which has directed over $100M into early-phase clinical trials since 2012 (per the Alzheimer's Association, 2023). The International Research Grant Program supports projects in more than 50 countries. Total research investment has exceeded $430M across nearly 1,000 projects worldwide (per the Alzheimer's Association, 2024). The Chicago-headquartered organization operates through a network of local chapters across all 50 states. In 2024, the association launched a $100 million initiative focused on diversity in clinical trials (per Alzheimer's Association press release, February 2024). The Alzheimer's Association is structurally distinct from research-funding arms of government (NIH) or pharmaceutical companies in that it is a nonprofit whose primary mandate is to drive research while simultaneously offering direct caregiver support and advocacy for public policy. Its dual mission — funding discovery while serving families — gives it an unusual position as both a grant-making foundation and a patient-services organization.
General information
Firm type
Charitable Organization
Year founded
1980
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Chicago
Corporate office
Chicago, IL, United States
Principals
Joanne Pike
President and CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How does the Alzheimer's Association allocate its research funding?
The association funds research across basic biology, drug discovery, clinical trials, and prevention studies through its International Research Grant Program and the Part the Cloud program. Since 2012, Part the Cloud has directed over $100M into early-phase clinical trials (per the Alzheimer's Association, 2023). The organization emphasizes investigator-initiated grants as well as targeted initiatives.
Does the Alzheimer's Association invest directly in biotech companies?
The Alzheimer's Association primarily makes grants to academic and nonprofit researchers, not direct equity investments in companies. However, the Part the Cloud program has funded companies conducting early-phase clinical trials. The association does not operate as a venture capital fund or family office.
What is the Alzheimer's Association's role in clinical trial diversity?
In February 2024, the association launched a $100 million initiative specifically to increase representation in Alzheimer's clinical trials, addressing a longstanding gap in the field. The program funds sites and investigators focused on enrolling diverse populations (per Alzheimer's Association press release, February 2024).
How is the Alzheimer's Association governed?
The organization is governed by a national board of directors, which includes volunteers with expertise in research, business, and advocacy. The CEO, currently Joanne Pike, oversees day-to-day operations. The structure is typical of a large national nonprofit, with local chapters having their own boards.
Does the Alzheimer's Association operate outside the United States?
The Alzheimer's Association funds research globally through its International Research Grant Program, which supports projects in over 50 countries. However, its primary operational focus remains in the U.S., where it has chapters in all 50 states.
What is the Part the Cloud program?
Part the Cloud is the Alzheimer's Association's research program dedicated to funding early-phase clinical trials for Alzheimer's drug candidates. Launched in 2012, it has committed over $100 million to move promising therapies into human testing. The program is funded by donations, including from the Part the Cloud benefit event.
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