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American Kidney Fund

CharityWatch report issued
October 2021

Top-Rated Charity
A+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
98%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$2
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

American Kidney Fund
11921 Rockville Pike
Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20852

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To help people fight kidney disease and live healthier lives.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2020

Program Percentage: 98%

The percentage of American Kidney Fund's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$344,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $2

How many dollars American Kidney Fund spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$334,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
American Kidney Fund IRS Form 990 23-7124261
American Kidney Fund Audited Financial Statements 23-7124261
Entity: American Kidney Fund
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 23-7124261
Entity: American Kidney Fund
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 23-7124261

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
American Kidney Fund
meets governance benchmarks.
 
American Kidney Fund
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-In Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Lavarne A. Burton President/CEO $751,436
2 Donald Roy, Jr. Executive VP/COO $436,310
3 Marshall Strisik VP/General Counsel $373,288
1
Name: Lavarne A. Burton
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $751,436
2
Name: Donald Roy, Jr.
Title: Executive VP/COO
Compensation: $436,310
3
Name: Marshall Strisik
Title: VP/General Counsel
Compensation: $373,288

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 12, In-Kind Contributions), AKF received donated in-kind contributions in 2020 on which it placed a total value of $892,786.

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 10, Public Support):

"During 2020 and 2019, AKF continued its tradition of broad-based public support with approximately 70,000 and 63,000 active contributors, respectively. AKF received public support from two corporations in the amount of $286,287,862, and $273,641,183 for 2020 and 2019, respectively. These contributions represented 85% of the total support and revenue as of December 31, 2020 and 2019."

According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 9, Paycheck Protection Program Loan):

"On May 5, 2020, AKF received proceeds in the amount of $1,540,500 to fund payroll, rent, utilities, and interest on mortgages and existing debt through the Paycheck Protection program (the PPP Loan). The PPP loan could be forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) subject to certain performance barriers as outlined in the loan agreement and the CARES Act. As of December 31, 2020, the SBA has formally forgiven the entire portion of AKF's obligation under this PPP loan. Therefore, AKF recognized $1,540,500 of contributions revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020."

According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 17, Risks and Uncertainties):

"AKF invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and those changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the [audited] statements of financial position and activities.

"The US District Court, Central District of California granted a preliminary injunction preventing California law AB 290 from becoming law on December 30, 2019. The impact on future grant assistance is unknown pending a trial on the merits. The trial was originally scheduled for mid-July 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic."


According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 17, Risks and Uncertainties, COVID-19 Pandemic):

"During the year ended December 31, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant effects on global markets, nonprofits, businesses, and communities. Specific to AKF, COVID-19 may impact various parts of its FY21 operations and financial results, including, but not limited to, reductions in certain revenue streams as well as increases in expenses. As of March 24, 2021, the amount and likelihood of loss relating to these events is not determined and cannot be reasonably estimated as these events are still developing."

According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) 2020 tax filing, AKF includes in its reporting for Compensation Information re: Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees "Bonus & incentive compensation" paid to seven individuals, including $127,875 paid to Lavarne A. Burton, ex-Officio President & Chief Executive Officer. The reported total compensation in 2020 for Burton is $751,436. The other reported "Bonus & incentive compensation" amounts range from $61,000 to $36,550 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II).


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