American Kidney Fund Named 'Gold Star' Charity by Forbes Magazine

11/24/2003

From: Sandra Palmer of the American Kidney Fund, 301-984-6657

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 24 -- The American Kidney Fund has been named to Forbes magazine's "Gold Star" list of 10 charities it identifies as worthy of readers' consideration ("Genuinely Needy" December 8, 2003). Each year, Forbes surveys 200 nonprofits and rates the organizations on how efficiently contributions are raised and then spent on the groups' stated purposes. Forbes offered a new feature this year, its Gold Star list consists of the 10 best of the 200 organizations surveyed.

"The American Kidney Fund spends 95 cents of every dollar on program services, and we are very proud of Forbes' Gold Star designation recognizing our outstanding stewardship of donated dollars," said the Fund's Executive Director Karen Sendelback. She added, "We understand that the greatest service we can perform for our patients and our supporters is to be fiscally responsible -- and we have made it a priority."

The American Kidney Fund was founded in 1971 to enable one kidney patient to receive kidney dialysis treatment. In 2002, the Fund provided direct financial assistance to more than 42,000 low-income kidney patients throughout the United States. The Fund's program areas include children's programs, patient aid, minority outreach, organ donor education, and no-cost prescription medicines.

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The American Kidney Fund is our nation's leading voluntary health organization serving people with and at risk for kidney disease through direct financial assistance, comprehensive education, clinical research and community service programs.