American Heart Association
Is This Your Business?3.1
3.1
Author: Jenna Vasquez
LAST UPDATED: September 15th, 2020
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The Good
- 79.8 percent of revenue is used in project delivery
- Strong donor communication
- Awards and recognition
Administrative Expenses
For the fiscal year ending in 2015, the American Heart Association's CEO, Nancy A. Brown drew an annual salary of $1,111,229. This is equivalent to 0.14 percent of the total 2015 annual revenue received by the American Heart Association. Annual salary data is not available for other executives.Fundraising Expenses
The American Heart Association used 11.9 percent of their revenue towards meeting their fundraising goals in 2015. Past year figures are not available for comparison because the American Heart Association does not disclose past year financial statements online.Program Percentage
In 2015, 79.8 percent of all revenue received by the American Heart Association is spent toward its program of education and awareness. Because the charity does not publish its past financial reports, the Review Team is unable to report on past years' percentages.Total Income
The American Heart Association had a total revenue of $178,275,142 from all sources. Data from past years is not published by the American Heart Association, but Charity Navigator has tracked the American Heart Association for several years and has limited information about the charity's income/expense ratio for the last few years. The ratio of revenue to expenses has remained fairly constant for the last few years, with revenue climbing in 2014 and 2015 after experiencing little growth between 2012 and 2013.Donor Communication
Users receive a receipt (either by email or postal mail) for their tax deductible donation. After making a contribution to the American Heart Association, donors can expect to be added to the charity's mailing list (postal and email) and receive updates about the latest research and advocacy by the American Heart Association.Awards
The American Heart Association has a prestigious history of finding scientists who have won the Nobel Prize. Thirteen scientists funded by the American Heart Association have won Nobel Prizes for their research. Of these, nine were wholly or partially funded for research related to their Nobel Prize, three were funded by the American Heart Association after their Nobel Prize and one was funded by the American Heart Association for research which was completed and not related to his Nobel Prize.What Customers Are Saying
There are many who have comments on the American Heart Association's social media accounts that their lives were saved by some aspect of the education which they (or those around them) had received about heart disease-particularly about heart attacks or strokes. Cutting-Edge Research Not many charities can boast funding the research of one Nobel Prize winning scientist; the American Heart Association has funded thirteen of them. Of these thirteen, nine were partially or fully funded in their research which resulted in their Nobel Prize by the American Heart Association. In addition to funding these scientists, the American Heart Association funds many research programs designed to help in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. CPR and First Aid Education The American Heart Association is one of the primary providers of CPR and first aid education programs in the United States. They have even brought this education into the school systems, with some even suggesting that high schools should bring CPR and First Aid into the required curriculum for health education in the United States. Stroke Awareness: Partnership with the American Stroke Association The American Heart Association partners with the American Stroke Association to increase awareness of strokes. In 2014, the two partnered to create the first science-based guidelines for women and strokes, an underserved population with a growing incidence of strokes and heart disease. Partnership with NFL Play 60 and Other School Programs In an attempt to fight childhood obesity and increase the activity of American children who are living a more sedentary lifestyle than ever before, the American Heart Association has partnered with the National Football League and Discovery Education to promote the healthy lifestyle of being active for 60 minutes per day. This initiative includes an interactive app which can be downloaded for iOS and Android devices to encourage children to complete physical activity challenges. Teachers can also download lesson plans, information for families, and sample homework activities to include in their daily instruction to encourage children to stay active and track their active play. The American Heart Association has developed Hoops for Heart and Jump Rope for Heart programs for schools.The Bad
- High CEO salary
- Past financial information not available
- Negative press
Negative Press
The American Heart Association received many criticisms in 2012 when a tool on the company's website for calculating a person's risk for heart disease recommended that otherwise healthy people speak to their doctors about using a cholesterol-reducing statin. Several medical sources reacted to the change, stating that the American Heart Association was advancing the interests of large pharmaceutical companies and that the risk of statin drugs does not outweigh the potential benefit for those who were being told to speak to their doctor about starting statin treatment. The American Heart Association defended their position on the screening tool stating that there was enough evidence to suggest that the at risk population could benefit from additional preventative treatment.Accessible Financial Information
The American Heart Association publishes their most recent financial statement on the website, but unlike many other charities, does not include previous years' information. The report is relatively easy to find online and is comprehensive in its scope. Nancy A. Brown Salary The American Heart Association does not publish salary data on its top executives online. As such, the Review Team used data from the charity's Form 990 which was filed with the Internal Revenue Service and is published online by Charity Navigator. According to information gathered by Charity Navigator, the CEO, Nancy A. Brown received $1,111,229 as her annual salary in 2015. Many former donors have expressed concern about this salary being too high and that more funds should be placed toward the charity's program. As is, the percentage for this salary is 0.14 percent of the total revenue and 79.8 percent of revenue is spent on providing the program. Lack of Past Financial Statements Online Unlike many other charities, the American Heart Association does not publish their financial statements from past years online. As such, it is difficult to determine the trends in their program costs, income, etc. The financial statement for the past year is available for viewing or download, but is not as easily found as with some other charities. The AHA website is loaded with information and links are easily lost. Unnecessarily Promoting Use of Statin Drugs In 2012, the American Heart Association came under intense criticism for endorsing the use of statin cholesterol lowering drugs in a broader population, one that is at risk, and has yet to develop sign of heart disease. This practice, many have stated, will increase the use of drugs in an otherwise healthy population and statin drugs are not without their risks and side effects. There were some people who accused the American Heart Association of promoting big pharmaceutical companies and their interests over those of the American family. The AHA responded in defense of their policy, stating that this practice was a recommendation that was in accordance with the latest research on which people would develop heart disease.What Customers Are Saying
As is the case with most charities, there are those who feel devotion to and strongly support their causes, while others do not. The two most common threads of concerns frequently brought up by disgruntled former donors is salaries and the statin issue discussed above.The Bottom Line
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Debbie Little Dog Eagle River, AK
My kids have done fundraising school events and I find the information that is shared is nice mixture of fun mixed in with the serious message that many children are born or live with heart defects. They share heart facts with people regularly because of information they learned through Kids Heart Challenge. Since 80% of money raised goes to support their mission it makes a worthy organization!
7 years ago
Michelle Rios Ogden, UT
I love this organization. I love that they go into my kids school and teach them that there are kids out there that look and act like them, but have serious conditions that can end their lives. I love that they provide my kids with a way to earn money that goes toward helping these very same kids.
6 years ago
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Makayla Manus Gulfport, MS
Before I was born, My grandfather had a heart attack and so personally this association is so meaningful to me. They help so many people with heart problems. It's such a great thing to give back when you know that your money I'd being used to help save lives.
6 years ago
Miscellaneous Brentwood, TN
tay away form the AHA if you are in development. This organization lacks any vision or intelligence when it comes to development. They are outdated in their methodologies and tactics. They are run by a network of women that if you are not in their club you are not listened to. They do not take input and think so highly of themselves (senior management). They treat donors like they are cash machines and beat up development staff f they do not get unrealistic increases from donors regardless of the situation. They need a board of directors to come in and clean house. They are poorly run and their organizational structure is a waste of donor money. They have bloated market staffs and an affiliate structure that is in place only to create high paying jobs for the top people that do nothing and add nothing to the bottom line.. A first year MBA student could add millions to the research side of the house (which is good) to help fight heart disease just be reorganizing the AHA. It will not happen because of the high paid "leaders"...haha. It is no different than our political system in that way.
Advice to Management
Bring in some leaders with vision and the guts to take on the overpaid senior team
6 years ago
Natalia Correa MDTribe Tallahassee, FL
The American Heart Association has amazing projects year around. I love working with them. They always focus on the greater good and care about their partners.
6 years ago
Tom Pleasant Grove, UT
The American Heart Association has made great strides and brought awareness to this epidemic of heart disease and other afflilctions of the heart. I respect them profoundly.
8 years ago
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Tom Gourley Pleasant Grove, UT
We have participated in several American Heart Association events and have always enjoyed them. They utilize volunteers well and I think they are careful with donations given them. They represent a good cause and can be trusted.
6 years ago
ICU RN Thibodaux, LA
Charging registered nurses $30.00 for BLS to return to ICU during a time of crisis is shameful...
Additionally, the online course failed, I required technical support, had to switch browsers multiple times and experienced numerous interruptions/pauses which delayed video simulations and interfered with successful completion and grading. All of this would be acceptable if BLS had not cost me $70.00 total.
My polite request for a refund to AHA was denied. Sorry, not acceptable to me.
6 years ago
Madison Kneiss Gulfport, MS
I’ve done serval charity events when I was younger, in helping this Association. Great cause and brings awareness to everyone.
6 years ago
hazel Glenview, IL
Worked for them as a fundraiser and find them ethically and morally challenging. Lots of dollars spent on executive perks, bonuses, travel, food, etc. Very good pension plan for employees that must be supported by donors dollars, so very high pressure environment for fundraisers to "get the gift" at any cost. In the time I was there, I never could really figure out how they contributed to fighting heart disease, other thn the branding and publicity. They do very little actual work in underserved communities who need them most. Pretty much of a sham.
8 years ago
Memaw1959 Texarkana, TX
The American Heart Association has nothing to do with heart disease. It is a corporate “fundraiser” that funds the pockets of management. I cannot speak on a national level but I can speak for the affiliate for Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It is a group of women that cannot get along with anyone because of their narcissistic goals. During the time I was there 11 couples declined chairing a heart ball exclusively based on management.
8 years ago
Alicia Holman Gilbert, AZ
I think when they say their Administrative fees are less than 1%, I feel this isn't being transparent. The bigger charities need to make sure they are using their money responsible enough so that the average person will feel confident in donating to them.
8 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
Earl Wall Lebanon, OH
I never had or will I ever give to American Heart Association.!!!! I on average get five to seven calls a day from them asking for money.I have told them more then ten times to stop calling..Yet still they call..I have blocked three numbers that they have used to call me,but they seem to have lots of other numbers to call me with.
9 years ago
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Jane Collins Long Beach, MS
American Heart is a fantastic organization. I’ve been a CPR instructor for years, and I know that American Heart saves lives.
6 years ago
Emily Grosse Pointe, MI
AHA uses spoof phone numbers to call people multiple times a day so that even if one phone number is blocked they continue to harass you from multiple other numbers. Do not donate to the AHA!
7 years ago
