Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by AMERICAN BRAIN FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue: $10,383,820
Total expenses: $4,956,400
Contributions and grants received: $10,120,592
Grants paid: $2,401,988
Program service revenue: $0
Investment income: $403,606
Other revenue: -$140,378
Total assets, end of year: $21,918,542
Total liabilities, end of year: $2,449,895
Net assets or fund balances, end of year: $19,468,647
Program services expenses (Part IX): $3,428,562
Management and general expenses: $871,713
Fundraising expenses: $656,125
Program service expenses (Part III): $3,428,562

Program services were 69.2% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

1a · Federated campaigns

$0
1b · Membership dues

$0
1c · Fundraising events

$443,150
1d · Related organizations

$0
1e · Government grants (contributions)

$0
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

$9,677,442
1g · Noncash contributions included above

$2,018,500
2f · All other program service revenue

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
3 · Investment income

total $419,159 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $419,159
4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
5 · Royalties

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
6a · Gross rents

real property $0 · personal property $0
6b · Less rental expenses

real property $0 · personal property $0
6c · Rental income or loss

real property $0 · personal property $0
6d · Net rental income or loss

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

securities $2,245,792 · other assets $0
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

securities $2,261,345 · other assets $0
7c · Gain or loss

securities -$15,553 · other assets $0
7d · Net gain or loss

total -$15,553 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded -$15,553
8a · Fundraising events: gross income

$38,110
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

$443,150
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

$180,757
8c · Net income from fundraising events

total -$142,647 · unrelated business $0 · excluded -$142,647
9a · Gaming: gross income

$0
9b · Gaming: direct expenses

$0
9c · Net income from gaming

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
10a · Gross sales of inventory

$0
10b · Cost of goods sold

$0
10c · Net income from sales of inventory

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
11a · Other revenue: Miscellaneous Income

total $2,269 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $2,269
11d · All other revenue

total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0
11e · Other revenue, total

$2,269

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

total $2,399,988 · program services $2,399,988
2 · Grants to domestic individuals

total $2,000 · program services $2,000
3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

total $0 · program services $0
4 · Benefits paid to or for members

total $0 · program services $0
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

total $419,086 · program services $131,432 · management and general $176,661 · fundraising $110,993
6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
7 · Other salaries and wages

total $645,992 · program services $202,594 · management and general $272,310 · fundraising $171,088
8 · Pension plan contributions

total $70,890 · program services $22,232 · management and general $29,883 · fundraising $18,775
9 · Other employee benefits

total $88,589 · program services $27,783 · management and general $37,344 · fundraising $23,462
10 · Payroll taxes

total $63,573 · program services $19,938 · management and general $26,798 · fundraising $16,837
11a · Fees: management

total $47,850 · program services $15,661 · management and general $19,062 · fundraising $13,127
11b · Fees: legal

total $28,776 · program services $7,910 · management and general $15,926 · fundraising $4,940
11c · Fees: accounting

total $130,464 · program services $38,744 · management and general $59,244 · fundraising $32,476
11d · Fees: lobbying

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

total $41,250 · fundraising $41,250
11f · Fees: investment management

total $8,762 · program services $0 · management and general $8,762 · fundraising $0
11g · Fees: other

total $569,415 · program services $420,150 · management and general $102,118 · fundraising $47,147
12 · Advertising and promotion

total $58,893 · program services $56,560 · management and general $0 · fundraising $2,333
13 · Office expenses

total $197,120 · program services $28,320 · management and general $47,506 · fundraising $121,294
14 · Information technology

total $44,390 · program services $14,527 · management and general $17,686 · fundraising $12,177
15 · Royalties

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
16 · Occupancy

total $39,700 · program services $12,308 · management and general $17,075 · fundraising $10,317
17 · Travel

total $48,298 · program services $15,833 · management and general $15,147 · fundraising $17,318
18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

total $31,827 · program services $11,125 · management and general $12,151 · fundraising $8,551
20 · Interest

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
21 · Payments to affiliates

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0
23 · Insurance

total $10,360 · program services $0 · management and general $10,360 · fundraising $0
24a · Other expenses: Miscellaneous Expense

total $9,177 · program services $1,457 · management and general $3,680 · fundraising $4,040

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

beginning of year $1,460,384 · end of year $1,007,855
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

beginning of year $2,274,246 · end of year $5,128,619
3 · Pledges and grants receivable

beginning of year $3,281,095 · end of year $4,671,369
4 · Accounts receivable

beginning of year $321,854 · end of year $228,313
5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
7 · Other notes and loans receivable

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
8 · Inventories for sale or use

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

beginning of year $55,090 · end of year $61,532
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

beginning of year $0
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

beginning of year $9,473,428 · end of year $10,820,854
12 · Investments: other securities

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
13 · Investments: program-related

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
14 · Intangible assets

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
15 · Other assets

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

beginning of year $232,951 · end of year $199,979
18 · Grants payable

beginning of year $3,438,245 · end of year $2,242,216
19 · Deferred revenue

beginning of year $5,195 · end of year $7,700
20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
25 · Other liabilities

beginning of year $0 · end of year $0
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

beginning of year $6,350,103 · end of year $7,718,793
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

beginning of year $6,839,603 · end of year $11,749,854

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

ABF's mission is to accelerate breakthrough research on brain disease and optimize brain health for all. Driven by the certainty that all aspects of the brain are interconnected, we invest in research on mechanisms shared by multiple brain diseases, disorders, and injuries, setting the stage for new treatments to emerge for conditions that were previously untreatable.

Activities or mission (Part I)

To accelerate breakthrough research on brain disease and optimize brain health for all. ABF funds the best and brightest scientists to make a lasting impact on public health and our collective knowledge of the brain.

GRANTS: In 2023, the American Brain Foundation funded Next Generation Research Grants in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); Alzheimer's; Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss; Epilepsy; Frontotemporal Degeneration; Lewy Body Dementia; Migraine; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscular Dystrophy; Neuromuscular Disease; Parkinson's Disease; Peripheral Neuropathy; Stroke; Tourette Syndrome; and Neurological Healthcare Disparities. These are two- and three-year innovative clinical research projects that launch research careers. Over 95% of the nearly 300 investigators the foundation has funded have received additional research funding from the NIH and other entities to continue the research started with our grants. The American Brain Foundation also continued to lead the development and funding of an initiative to find a biomarker for the early diagnosis of Lewy body dementia with partners the Alzheimer's Association, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the American Academy of Neurology. We expect this research to lead to more clarity and effective therapies for people struggling with LBD, and to increase our understanding of other neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Expenses $2,438,504 · Grants $2,227,015
AWARDS: The American Brain Foundation honored leaders in the fight against brain disease-both scientists and members of the public. Among these were the prestigious Potamkin Prize in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases, and the Sheila Essey Award for Research in ALS. Other awards included the Public Leadership in Neurology Award, given to Arianna Huffington for raising public awareness of the importance of sleep and brain health, and the Scientific Breakthrough Award, given to Josep Dalmau, MD, PhD and Vanda Lennon, MD, PhD for transforming the field of autoimmune and paraneoplastic neurology. We also gave humanitarian and lifetime achievement awards, including the Association of Indian Neurologists in American Lifetime Achievement Award; the Mridha Spirit of Neurology Award; and the Ted M. Burns Humanism in Neurology Award, and underwrote numerous AAN Scientific Awards, including the Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award; Norman Geschwind Prize in Behavioral Neurology; Mitchell B. Max Award for Neuropathic Pain; Movement Disorders Research Award; Michael S. Pessin Stroke Leadership Prize; Sleep Science Award, Neuro-oncology Scientific Award, Neuroinfectious Disease Award, and many others.

Expenses $226,017 · Grants $174,972
PUBLIC OUTREACH: The American Brain Foundation continued to invest in a large-scale public awareness campaign with the purpose of educating the public about the need for brain disease research. The multi-channel campaign provided resources and information about brain diseases and disorders, the latest brain research news, and stories from patients and caregivers. The American Brain Foundation produced free monthly webinars with neurology experts for the public on topics such as Deep Brain Stimulation, Sleep and the Brain, and Migraine Research and Treatment. The Commitment to Cures gala was a hybrid event and was attended by nearly 2,000 people and raised over $850,000. All key performance indicators for public outreach exceeded goals. Comparing 2022 to 2021, Social media followers increased 51%, website traffic increased 50%, and email subscribers increased 31%.

Expenses $764,041

As filed on the 2023 return.

Listed in Part VII

Jane RansomJANE RANSOM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$419,086

From this org

$371,331

From related orgs

$0

Other

$47,755

Hours/week

41

Schedule J breakdown matched by us

Base

$288,793

Bonus

$64,737

Other

$17,801

Deferred

$30,859

Nontaxable benefits

$16,896

Filer's total

$419,086
Emily ChristianEMILY CHRISTIAN

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$165,397

From this org

$143,081

From related orgs

$0

Other

$22,316

Hours/week

37

Schedule J breakdown matched by us

Base

$134,401

Bonus

$7,853

Other

$827

Deferred

$14,230

Nontaxable benefits

$8,086

Filer's total

$165,397
David D DodickDAVID D DODICK

CHAIR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1.5
Ben LenailBEN LENAIL

VICE CHAIR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
James EsseyJAMES ESSEY

TREASURER

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Jacqueline FrenchJACQUELINE FRENCH

SECRETARY

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Carlayne E JacksonCARLAYNE E JACKSON

EX OFFICIO VOTING DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Robert C GriggsROBERT C GRIGGS

EX OFFICIO VOTING DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Merit CudkowiczMERIT CUDKOWICZ

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
David EaglemanDAVID EAGLEMAN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
James C GrottaJAMES C GROTTA

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Stephen L HauserSTEPHEN L HAUSER

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Frances JensenFRANCES JENSEN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Ralph R LesileRALPH R LESILE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Thabele Lesile-MazwiTHABELE LESILE-MAZWI

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Ronald PetersenRONALD PETERSEN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Alyx B PorterALYX B PORTER

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Alfredo Quinones-HinojosaALFREDO QUINONES-HINOJOSA

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Sean SansiveriSEAN SANSIVERI

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5
Mary E PostMARY E POST

EX OFFICIO NON-VOTING DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

0.5

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

3 · Compensation committee
3 · Independent compensation consultant
3 · Compensation survey or study
3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
7 · Other non-fixed payments
8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Schedule J, Part I, Line 3: The American Brain Foundation leases employees with American Academy of Neurology (AAN) through a contractual arrangement by which AAN's employees are leased to ABF. This arrangement included, as of 2023, the ABF's Executive Director being leased through AAN. The ABF's Board of Directors is responsible for hiring and setting the compensation for the Executive Director. The Board employs procedures (use of independent consultant, compensation survey and no involvement of persons with conflicts of interests) and last set compensation amounts in 2023.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

American Academy of Neurology Institute

$2,260,973

Clinical Research Training Scholarships, Scientific Awards, and Non Scientific Awards for work on diseases of the brain and nervous system. See Part IV for more details.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

$75,000

Clinician Scientist Development Award in Multiple Sclerosis
Johns Hopkins University

$16,378

Funding grant for research in Alzheimer's and related neurodegenerative disorders

Provenance

Return type: form_990
Tax year: 2023
Filed: 30 September 2024
IRS schema version: 2023v5.0
Source object: 202412749349301606

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