9 Best Dementia Charities to Donate to in 2023 | Full List with Details
Old age comes with a bag full of complications, including dementia. This degenerative disease has the ability to affect one’s intellectual functioning, which leads to abstract thoughts and adds aggression to every emotion.
The United States alone carries over 6 million individuals with dementia. as the body ages, the rate of outwitting such diseases decreases significantly. These nonprofit charities mentioned below care for patients suffering from dementia and other related conditions.
By spreading awareness and providing prime care to their patients is a common goal for them all.
Here are 9 Best Dementia Charities to Donate to:
1. Alzheimer’s Association:
Since 1980 they have been envisioning a world free of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. by focusing on global research, they are reducing the risk and helping patients detect this disease in its early onset.
Through their International Research Grant Program they have invested more than $310 million in more than 950 projects across 48 countries. This fund is utilized for improving care and support, finding new treatment alternatives, advocacy and provision of financial grants.
They host multiple conferences on a global scale to increase knowledge sharing within the public and focus on the symptoms and right care. Furthermore, AA collaborates with multiple platforms like WW-ADNI, NIA, IASRP, and more to investigate new ideas and treatment trials.
For the local the team has set up a 24/7 support helpline along with online and one-to-one support groups. GuideStar gives them a Platinum Seal of Transparency while Charity Navigator gives them a 4-star rating.
2. American Brain Foundation
ABF was established in 1992 to defeat brain disorders and diseases. From prevention to cure, they take care of the research, trials, and their patients. The launch of their Cure one, Cure Many Program paved way for multiple research studies to highlight their achievements and findings regarding dementia.
The most innovative and practical study is then awarded grants for its trials. Since they understand the importance of research, they have invested more than $33 million for their Next Generation Research to encourage young and talented minds.
These studies cumulatively work on ALS, Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and related neurological disorders. To increase awareness regarding these issues, they have started showcasing a few elements from their groundbreaking research projects and share new facts that develop during the process.
ABF holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 95% rating on Charity Navigator.
3. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
Their key principles have helped them come up with innovative breakthroughs. By funding the world’s leading research, they are transparent in funding them with every single penny of donation they receive. While this charity was established in 2004, it has experienced tremendous growth and has successfully contributed more than $164 million to Alzheimer’s research.
To share their findings with the world, they have listed down every theory and its value on their website. Apart from accepting funds, they accept vehicles as well.
To prevent dementia, they have listed various steps one can take to ensure a better life ahead. CAF receives a perfect 4-star rating on Charity Navigator and a Seal of Platinum Transparency from Guidestar.
4. Bright Focus
Founded in 1973, this charity has done nothing less except shoot for the moon. With donor support and gratitude for modern medicine, they successfully interpreted an artificial heart in 1982.
By 2022 it invested more than $60 million in 287 international projects dealing with dementia and other related diseases.
Apart from Alzheimer’s disease research, they look into macular degeneration and glaucoma research. To increase awareness among the public, they print out flyers and publish journals with necessary information fetched from reliable resources.
5. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
AFA was established to provide support to patients and caregivers, along with helping researchers advance with financial grants. They provide free memory screenings across the country to help people take an active approach to improving their lifestyle. More than 5 million people have been screened to date.
AFA works alongside multiple national-level agencies to train and educate caretakers to elevate their area of caregiving. This charity has its own research studies targeting early symptoms, aggressive behavioral changes, discovering the role of APP, and more.
They have built a national toll-free helpline and support groups to support selfless caretakers. While GuideStar provides them a Platinum Seal of Transparency, Charity Navigator gives them an appreciable 93% rating.
6. Lew Body Dementia Association
LBDA is a charity dedicated to supporting people dealing with LBD. Their outreach programs are a great way to help them interact with the public and get an unmasked truth about their daily struggles.
Their idea of coming up with Lewy Line has been a backbone for numerous families dealing with Lewy body dementia. this line connects patients to licensed healthcare professionals who provide their expertise and opinions.
Apart from donations and volunteerism, they also accept vehicles and invest in real estate topics. This charity holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.
7. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
Founded in 1998 by Leonard and Ronald Lauder, this nonprofit charity organized its activities to find drugs for Alzheimer’s solely. they have funded more than $250 million in research for 720 drugs in 19 countries.
Since they aim to bridge the gap between the unspecified symptoms and the onset of this disease, they are working tirelessly to find a cure. Charity Navigator gives them a 100% rating, keeping in mind its glassy lucidity and strong financial accountability.
8. Dementia Society of America
This leading national nonprofit charity works to enhance the quality of life for those dealing with dementia. they educate and spread awareness regarding its spectrum of struggles. They focus on serving entire communities by making non-medical supplies easily available for people.
Lastly, they recognize the initiatives, engagement, counseling sessions, and caregiving done by individuals through their DementiaQUEST and DementiaSmart programs. . Under their Ginny Gives program they underwrite sensory activities in the form of music, art and dance to enhance sensory stimulations and regain movement.
This program is even known to provide grants as per their eligibility criteria. They encompass a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency on GuideStar.
9. Dementia Spring Foundation
DPF was founded by Dr. Marc Rothman in 2020. His mission was to help individuals struggling with dementia by indulging their minds in therapeutic art. This charity provides grants to performing artists and creative professionals who convey the hardships of dementia through art programs in various communities.
This caters to those suffering from memory loss in the form of art, music, skits, and poetry. The grants range from $1,000 to $2,500. Apart from this, they use YouTube to spread awareness, share information, and provide answers to various questions related to dementia. Guidestar holds them for a Silver Seal of transparency.
Here are some tips to consider when donating to dementia charities:
- Research the organization: Make sure to research the charity and its mission, and how it uses donations. Look for independent evaluations of the organization, such as those from Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
- Consider the size of the organization: Smaller charities may have less overhead and be able to put more of your donation towards direct services. In comparison, larger charities may have more resources to devote to research and advocacy.
- Look for charities that focus on a specific aspect of dementia: Some charities focus on research, while others focus on providing support and resources for people with dementia and their caregivers.
- Check if the charity is registered: Make sure it is registered in your country, which means they have met certain requirements and are subject to oversight.
- Make sure the charity is transparent about how the funds will be used: A good charity can clearly explain how your donation will be used and what impact it will have.
- Consider supporting a local charity: The charity may be able to serve better the community in which you live.
- Make sure the charity is Tax-Exempt: Make sure the charity is tax-exempt, so you can claim the donation as a tax deduction if applicable in your country.
- Give regularly: Many charities rely on regular donations to sustain their work. Consider making a monthly donation, if possible.
Final Thoughts
It is an indescribable emotion to have a disease disrupt your routine of daily activities. As dementia imprisons one’s mind completely, the idea of memories and fervor evades in a fraction of a second.
To provide a wave of love and warmth to these patients, these nonprofit charities have invested their time and efforts to find a lifetime cure. Although the journey to reach a world free of dementia is long, multiple breakthroughs from these studies have been helping patients keep their minds and heart at ease.