Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Kidney Fund
Address:	6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010
	Rockville, MD 20852
Phone:	301-881-3052 866-300-2900
Web Address:	www.kidneyfund.org

AKF meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

AKF is a source of financial assistance to kidney disease patients across the country. The organization reports that in 2009, it provided charitable grants totaling nearly $155 million to more than 87,000 dialysis patients in all 50 states. AKF provides direct financial assistance and in-kind grants to dialysis and kidney transplant patients and living kidney donors to help defray the costs of medication, transportation, health insurance premiums, etc. AKF also educates the public about prevention, symptoms, causes, treatment and the psychosocial aspects of kidney disease through its toll free helpline (866.300.2900). In addition, it educates kidney patients, their families and the general public about kidney disease; and its prevention and treatment through its brochure series, website, and professional conferences. Furthermore, AKF promotes awareness and advocacy for organ transplantation through involvement in alliances of national groups and local coalitions that educate the public about organ and tissue donation; distribution of organ donor cards, booklets, and bumper stickers; and encouraging people to sign organ donor cards informing family members about their decision. According to AKF, it also sponsors a weekend getaway for pediatric kidney patients and provides grants to allow the patients to attend summer camp. Some ($705,192 or 13%) of AKF's public and professional education program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, AKF's program expenses were:

Direct patient aid	157,642,092
Public and professional education	5,397,631
Research	197,070
Community services	132,397
Total Program Expenses:	$163,369,190

Chief Executive : LaVarne A. Burton, President & Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*:

$393,097

Chair of the Board: Ronald E. Frieson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Senior Vice President, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta

Board Size: 19

Paid Staff Size: 73

*2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, special events, print advertisements, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.

Fund raising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $173,087,688, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

AKF incurred joint costs of $1,820,372 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $1,115,180 was allocated to fund raising expenses and $705,192 was allocated to program expenses.

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on AKF's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds
Contributions	165,405,892
In-kind contributions	5,668,615
Investment income	3,065,135
Specialty programs	744,057
Special events, net	716,733
Planned giving	552,391
Mailing list rental	128,444
Total Income	$176,281,267

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 97%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 1%

Total income				$176,281,267
	Program expenses			$163,369,190
	Fund raising expenses			3,203,769
	Administrative expenses			1,296,727
Total expenses				$167,869,686
Income in Excess of Expenses				8,411,581
Beginning net assets				19,974,261
Ending net assets				28,385,842
Total liabilities				1,134,478
Total assets				$29,520,320

Note: According to AKF's 2009 audited financial statements, the organization's in-kind donations included in expenses totaled ($5,200,250) for pharmaceuticals ($4,787,677), educational communications ($337,548), and advertisements/special events items ($75,025).