FOUNDATIONS

CONTENTS:

• American Health Assistance Foundation
• Alzheimer's Association
• Edgar Cayce Foundation

Some foundations exist to give money away. Some foundations exist to raise money. And some foundations are organized to channel money from other foundations to worthy nonprofit organizations, all at the same time. Confusing? No doubt a 21st Century Guide to the Perplexed in Philanthropy is what we need. In the absence of a guide, I offer a brief review of health-related foundations that both give and ask for grants to improve the quality of our lives.

THE AMERICAN HEALTH ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION (AHAF)
THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION (AA)

Donors are regularly confused over the difference between the AHAF and the AA. Both organizations use aggressive direct marketing techniques to raise money for their programs and, at times, the design of their direct mail pieces are uncannily similar. Both organizations, however, are deeply committed to eradicating Alzheimer's disease (AD) and support innovative medical and scientific research into the source of AD.

AHAF is a nonprofit dedicated to funding research on Alzheimer's disease (AD), glaucoma, macular degeneration, heart disease and stroke; educating the public about these diseases; and providing emergency financial assistance to AD disease patients and their caregivers. Founded in 1973, AHAF has since awarded more than $47 million in research grants to AD medical and scientific researchers.

http://www.ahaf.org

The AA, a national network of chapters, is the largest national voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's and to helping those affected by the disease. The AA has awarded more than $100 million in research grants, which ranks it as a top private funder of research into the causes, treatments, prevention and cure of Alzheimer's disease. The Association also provides education and support for people diagnosed with the condition, and to their families and caregivers.

http://www.alz.org

THE EDGAR CAYCE FOUNDATION (ECF)

Upon the creation of the ECF in 1948, the Edgar Cayce readings and their supporting documentation became the sole property of the Edgar Cayce Foundation located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The ECF provides permanent legal and physical custody of not only the readings and Edgar Cayce's correspondence, but also a variety of other historical records.

The ECF is the foundation arm of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, a non profit organization founded by Edgar Cayce in 1931. For 43 years of his adult life, Edgar Cayce demonstrated the ability to put himself into a self-induced sleep state and respond to virtually any question imaginable with uncanny accuracy. His responses to these questions came to be called "readings" and contain insights so valuable that even to this day individuals have found practical help for everything from maintaining a well-balanced diet and improving human relationships to overcoming life-threatening illnesses and exploring their personal spirituality.

For those researchers interested in the paranormal and parapsychology, ECF is worth a look.

http://www.are-cayce.com/ec_foundation/main.htm

http://www.are-cayce.com/

Cathy Hampton