BrightFocus Foundation

BrightFocus Foundation, formerly known as the American Health Assistance Foundation, is a nonprofit organization based in Clarksburg, Maryland. It supports research and provides public education on brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

BrightFocus Foundation
MottoCure in mind. Cure in sight.
Founded1973
TypeFoundation
FocusAlzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, Medical research
Location
President and CEO
Stacy Pagos Haller
Websitewww.brightfocus.org

History

BrightFocus was founded in 1973 as The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) by husband and wife team, Janette Michaels and Eugene Michaels as Executive Director and President, respectively. However, the organization was criticized for related party transactions, with over $43 million of them in the eight years ending in 2007. These transactions, which were reported in AHAF's financial statements, resulted from the use of fundraising vendors owned and operated by family members of the Michaels. The criticism muted after the Michaels left AHAF in December 2004, and transactions with firms owned and operated by family members were discontinued in fiscal 2006.[1]

In 2012, BrightFocus Foundation partnered with three other nonprofit organizations as the 21st Century Brain Trust, which was the runner-up in the Collaborate Activate Innovation Challenge, a competition sponsored by Sanofi US, for the Trust’s work in developing mobile applications that detect early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. According to BrightFocus Foundation, an estimated 36 million people suffer from dementia worldwide and the figure is projected to increase to 115 million people by 2050.[2]

Effective 1 February 2013 AHAF changed its name to BrightFocus Foundation. The charity selected the new name to better communicate its goals, "to save mind and sight," according to BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller.[3]

Its CEO Stacy Pagos Haller receives an annual compensation of $395,786. The Board of Directors includes the Nobel prize Stanley Prusiner and the author Maddy Dychtwald.

In 2019, BrightFocus Foundation received $39.4 millions of donations. Since its founding in 1973, BrightFocus Foundation has funded 5,056 scientists in 1,532 research projects for more than $206 millions.

Research programs

BrightFocus Foundation awards grants and produces educational materials through its three research programs, currently funding 174 research projects:

  • Alzheimer's Disease Research Program, currently funding 95 research projects. The program started in 1985 and has funded research for $120 millions. In 2019, the program has funded 43 new research projects for $10.5 millions.
  • Macular Degeneration Research Program, currently funding 43 research projects. The program started in 1999 and has funded research for $26 millions. In 2019, the program has funded 20 new research projects for $3.1 millions.
  • National Glaucoma Research Program, currently funding 36 research projects. The program started in 1978 and has funded research for $33 millions. In 2019, the program has funded 13 new research projects for $2.5 millions.

Awards and recognition

In 2013, BrightFocus Foundation earned a Seal of Excellence from the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, which requires organizations to go through a rigorous application process to certify that they are well-run and worthy of public trust.[4][5]

Charity assessment

In 2019, 78% of expenses went to medical research and public education, 16% to fundraising and 6% to administrative expenses. In 2018, the annual compensation of the President/CEO was $395,786 (1.10% of expenses). The BrightFocus Foundation has a rating of 3 stars (out of 4) from Charity Navigator, with an overall score of 82.58/100 for financial, accountability and transparency.[6]

References
  1. Charity Watch. Group Takes Steps to Improve Its Own Health Published 1 April 2007, Accessed 1 September 2019.
  2. Matsuyama, Kanoko (15 October 2012). "Alzheimer's Plaques May Be Bigger Risks Than Gene, Study Says". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  3. Vision Monday. American Health Assistance Foundation Announces Name Change and Survey Results. Published 6 February 2013, Accessed 1 September 2019.
  4. "Maryland Seal Holders". Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  5. Shatzkin, Kate (29 October 1999). "Maryland group certifies seven charities as worthy; First in nation to apply tougher criteria to boost public confidence". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  6. https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3259
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