BrightFocus Foundation

BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Clarksburg, Maryland. BrightFocus funds research in an effort to discover cures for Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma, and provides information and free English and Spanish resources to increase awareness about these diseases. Through its research programs — Alzheimer’s Disease Research, National Glaucoma Research, and Macular Degeneration Research — the Foundation has awarded nearly $290 million in research funding. BrightFocus provides free public education and free printed brochures and publications[3] on brain and eye diseases in English and Spanish, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. BrightFocus has active research grants in 17 countries and at 154 institutions.[4] BrightFocus Foundation offers free monthly low-vision audio podcast programs with medical experts on Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration and a free expert Alzheimer's video series called "Zoom in On Alzheimer's and Dementia" with medical doctors.[5]

BrightFocus Foundation
FoundedMay 15, 1973 (1973-05-15)[1]
FoundersJanette Michaels, Eugene Michaels
TypeFoundation
FocusAlzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, medical research
Location
Coordinates39.227134°N 77.278680°W / 39.227134; -77.278680
Stacy Pagos Haller
SubsidiariesNational Development LLC, American Health Assistance LLC[2]
Employees (2019)
58[2]
Volunteers (2019)
51[2]
Websitewww.brightfocus.org
Formerly called
The American Health Assistance Foundation

History

BrightFocus was founded on May 15, 1973,[1] as The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) by husband and wife team, Janette Michaels and Eugene Michaels as Executive Director and President, respectively, and funded research that led to the development of the first artificial heart.[6]

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. 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.[7]

BrightFocus Foundation funded two researchers who went on to win Nobel prizes,[8] Paul Greengard and Stanley B. Prusiner. BrightFocus funded Joel S. Schuman, who found the first biomarker for glaucoma and improved OCT.[9]

BrightFocus Foundation provided early funding that led to the first-ever Alzheimer's disease blood test development.[10]

Research programs

BrightFocus Foundation awards grants, fellowships, and produces educational materials and programs through its three research programs,[11] currently funding 287 research projects worldwide:

  • Alzheimer's Disease Research Program,[12] currently funding 167 research projects. The program started in 1985 and has funded research for $170 million. In 2022, the program has funded 55 new research projects for nearly $14 million.
  • Macular Degeneration Research Program,[13] currently funding 58 research projects. The program started in 1999 and has funded research for $46 million. In 2022, the program has funded 21 new research projects for nearly $7 million.
  • National Glaucoma Research Program,[14] currently funding 62 research projects. The program started in 1978 and has funded research for $47 million. In 2022, the program has funded 19 new research projects for nearly $4 million.

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.[15][16]

Charity assessment

BrightFocus Foundation has a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, with an overall score of 96/100 for financial, accountability, impact, community, and leadership.[17] BrightFocus Foundation received a 2022 GuideStar Platinum Transparency certification.[18]

References
  1. "BrightFocus Foundation", Government of the District of Columbia. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Tax". BrightFocus Foundation. Internal Revenue Service. December 31, 2019.
  3. "Request Resources | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  4. "2022 BrightFocus Research Grant Awards | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  5. "Latest BrightFocus Chats® | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  6. "Early Artificial Heart Research Funded by American Health Assistance Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  7. Vision Monday. American Health Assistance Foundation Announces Name Change and Survey Results. Published 6 February 2013, Accessed 1 September 2019.
  8. "Notable Researchers". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  9. "The High-Impact Career of Joel Schuman, MD". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  10. ""Next-Generation" Alzheimer's Blood Test Announced, Rooted in Early BrightFocus Funding". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  11. "Research We Fund | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  12. "Alzheimer's Insights & Research Breakthroughs | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  13. "Macular Degeneration Research | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  14. "National Glaucoma Research | BrightFocus Foundation". www.brightfocus.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  15. "Maryland Seal Holders". Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  16. 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.
  17. "Charity Navigator - Rating for BrightFocus Foundation".
  18. "BrightFocus Foundation - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
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