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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: June 2025 Expires: June 2027

American Heart Association

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Accreditation seal
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX, 75231

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

American Heart Association meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives."

Year, State Incorporated:
1924, NY

Also Known As:
National Stroke Association American Stroke Association

American Heart Association (AHA) reports that it is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. The organization reports that it works as a catalyst connecting sectors, communities, and countries to drive toward an equitable and healthy world. AHA works to accelerate heart and brain science through grants and translates science and advocates to see it applied in the healthcare system, in public policies, and in communities. The organization provides science-based treatment guidelines to healthcare professionals to help them provide quality care to their patients, and educates lawmakers, policymakers and the public to advocate for changes to protect and improve the health of our schools, worksites, and communities. AHA also provides CPR education and training. Some ($136,319,000 or 18%) of AHA's programs are conducted in conjunction with fundraising appeals.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, American Heart Association's program expenses were:

Community services: $62,857,000

Professional education and training: $333,488,000

Research: $235,335,000

Public health education: $377,016,000

Total Program Expenses: $1,008,696,000

Chief Executive
Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$4,388,845

Chair of the Board
Marsha Jones

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Executive Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Board Size
25

Paid Staff Size
3384

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

American Heart Association incurred joint costs of $251,299,000 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $174,760,000 was allocated to program expenses, $57,099,000 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $19,440,000 was allocated to administrative expenses.

Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $742,538,000, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

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 American Heart Association's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Program fees $160,706,000
Bequests and split interest agreements $108,956,000
Contributions $260,654,000
Government grants $13,549,000
Sales of educational materials $229,044,000
Membership dues $6,767,000
In-kind contributions $86,509,000
Royalty revenue $22,831,000
Miscellaneous revenue, net $4,038,000
Special events, net $272,870,000
Perpetual trust distributions $8,298,000
Investment return, net $112,446,000
Unrealized gains on beneficial interest in perpetual trusts, net $11,102,000
Change in value of split interest agreements $8,160,000
Total Income $1,297,770,000

Programs: 84% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 7%

Total Income $1,297,770,000
Total expenses: $1,202,333,000
  Program expenses $1,008,696,000
  Fundraising expenses $106,416,000
  Administrative expenses $87,221,000
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $95,437,000
Beginning Net Assets $1,247,845,000
Other Changes In Net Assets $3,158,000
Ending Net Assets $1,346,302,000
Total Liabilities $649,806,000
Total Assets $1,996,108,000

Note 1: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, AHA reported in-kind contributions of $86,509,000 including PSAs and other advertising ($60,439,000), services ($24,418,000), facilities and supplies ($1,528,000), and vehicles ($124,000).

Note 2: In the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" represents change in value of split interest agreements (8,160,000) and non controlling interest (-$5,140,000).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance