Action Plan
AHAF 5 Year Goals
- To prudently invest in the world’s most promising research on Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
- To help families and organizations access the news and information they need about risk factors, preventative lifestyles, treatments, and coping strategies for age-related, degenerative diseases.
- To provide real-time access to scientific research breakthroughs and milestones related to the diseases we support.
Our Strategies
- Double our annual investment in research by developing new, diverse sources of funds.
- Convene selected expert panels on our focus diseases to provide professional expertise and analyses of grant proposals.
- Establish strategic national and international collaborations with like-minded organizations to advance our common mission.
- Expand the number and reach of public education channels through both traditional and social media.
- Deliver English- and Spanish-language public service announcements to people impacted by our focus diseases, including children whose family members are experiencing their effects.
- Expand public access to knowledge gained from scientific research via an open-access journal, e-alerts, and social media messaging.
- Provide individualized support, information, and resource referrals within 24 hours of the initial inquiry.
Organizational Capacity
AHAF has a long-standing track record of fiscal conservatism. The following organizational assets have been instrumental in advancing toward and accomplishing our goals in a financially responsible manner.
- Our newly formed executive team brings decades of experience, and we pride ourselves on the commitment and loyalty of AHAF employees.
- Our Scientific Review Committees comprise respected leaders in our focus research fields and are key partners in ensuring that the most promising research is funded.
- Our shift to electronic communications, both internally and externally, demonstrates our commitment to cutting costs and wisely investing donations.
- We receive and process all contributions on site rather than outsourcing to a third party, which provides cost control and ensures confidentiality.
Measuring Progress
Our staff prepares an operating plan annually and reviews the benchmarks throughout the year. Our board of directors meets quarterly to assess the organization’s progress toward meeting stated goals. The full staff convenes after the board meeting to share updates and collaborate on direction. The executive team meets semimonthly to review operational and financial status and to hone cross-functional activities. Adjustments to strategy and tactics are made as necessary.
Updates on Progress towards Goals
Research milestones and other updates are communicated in real time through our social media sites, e-alerts, newsletters, press releases, and web updates. Additionally, we publish an annual report* each year to share with AHAF stakeholders the progress we have made and milestones we have accomplished. This document is easily accessible on our website, and print copies are available upon request. The website contains a range of materials that explains the organization’s efforts and how the research we support is advancing the fields of science.
*Please note that the report is a high quality, 5.2 MB file and may take some time to download depending on your connection speed.
Last Review: 12/10/12
