Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading U.S. nonprofit health organization funding Alzheimer's research, care, and advocacy.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
The Alzheimer's Association is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Founded in 1980 by Jerome H. Stone and a group of family caregivers, it has grown into the nation's leading voluntary health organization in the field of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Association operates through a national office headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and a network of chapters across the United States. It provides a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and online resources for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Its public policy arm advocates at the federal and state levels for increased research funding, improved care standards, and policies that support families affected by the disease. On the research front, the Association is one of the largest nonprofit funders of Alzheimer's research globally. It has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and has helped shape the national research agenda. It also convenes the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), a major annual scientific meeting, and publishes the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. The organization is known for its signature fundraising events, including the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. It also runs The Longest Day, a team event held on the summer solstice. Its brand is closely tied to the purple color and the tagline 'The End of Alzheimer's Starts Here.' The Association is governed by a board of directors and led by a president and CEO. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and relies on donations, grants, and fundraising events. It does not sell products or operate as a commercial retailer; rather, it functions as a cause-driven brand and service platform for the Alzheimer's community.
History
The Alzheimer's Association was founded in 1980 by Jerome H. Stone, a Chicago businessman whose wife had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, along with other family caregivers. At the time, Alzheimer's was a little-understood condition with virtually no national infrastructure for research or support. The organization was established as a nonprofit to raise awareness, fund research, and provide resources for families. In its early years, the Association focused on building a national network of chapters and affiliates to deliver local services. It also began awarding research grants, helping to seed the careers of many scientists who would go on to make major contributions to the field. By the 1990s, the Association had become a recognized voice in Washington, D.C., advocating for increased federal funding for Alzheimer's research through the National Institutes of Health. A major milestone came with the establishment of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), which grew into the world's largest gathering of Alzheimer's and dementia researchers. The Association also launched its scientific journal, Alzheimer's & Dementia, to publish peer-reviewed research. In the 2000s and 2010s, the Association expanded its public policy efforts, playing a key role in the passage of the National Alzheimer's Project Act in 2011, which created a national plan to address Alzheimer's disease. It also became a leading funder of research through its Part the Cloud and other initiatives, investing in early-stage and translational science. Fundraising events such as Walk to End Alzheimer's and The Longest Day became signature brand properties, engaging hundreds of thousands of participants annually. The Association's purple branding and its tagline 'The End of Alzheimer's Starts Here' became widely recognized. Today, the Alzheimer's Association operates a national office in Chicago and chapters across the United States. It continues to provide care and support services, fund research, and advocate for policies to improve the lives of people affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias. It remains a nonprofit organization, not a commercial enterprise, and is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
- 2011
National Alzheimer's Project Act signed into law, a key advocacy win for the Association.
- 2010
Walk to End Alzheimer's becomes the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research.
- 2000
Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) grows into the world's largest dementia research meeting.
- 1990
Association becomes a recognized advocate for increased federal research funding.
- 1980
Alzheimer's Association founded by Jerome H. Stone and other family caregivers.
- 1980
National network of chapters begins to form to provide local services.
Products and positioning
Leading nonprofit health organization for Alzheimer's care, support, and research in the United States.
24/7 Helpline
Around-the-clock support and information for people with dementia and caregivers.
Walk to End Alzheimer's
Signature fundraising event held in communities across the U.S.
The Longest Day
Team fundraising event held on the summer solstice to honor those facing Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC)
Premier annual scientific meeting for dementia researchers worldwide.
Alzheimer's & Dementia journal
Peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Association.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Alzheimer's Association selects Moore as brand agency of record[2]
Reported:
The Alzheimer's Association has selected the agency Moore as its brand agency of record, according to a PR Newswire announcement.
T3D Therapeutics receives Alzheimer's Association research grant[3]
Reported:
T3D Therapeutics announced that it received a $740,000 grant from the Alzheimer's Association Part the Cloud-Gates Partnership Grant Program to support clinical-trial biomarker studies for its upcoming Phase 2 study of T3D-959.
DTx Pharma receives $400,000 research funding award[4]
Reported:
DTx Pharma announced a $400,000 funding award from the Alzheimer's Association and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation to advance drug-discovery research targeting Tau-mediated disorders.
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