Throughout FY22, the Association worked to mobilize individual constituents, corporations and organizations in order to accelerate progress and maximize mission impact. While the COVID-19 pandemic again presented challenges, donors continued their passionate support of the Association. With a focus on the health and safety of our constituents, volunteers, donors and staff, we were successfully able to return to in-person events and engagement with constituents, volunteers and donors. Contributed revenue from donors and partners totaled more than $458 million.
Strategic direct marketing efforts using print and digital campaigns raised over $80.1 million and engaged 723,143 donors, an 8% increase over FY21. Strong revenue growth across mail and digital programs was seen following the historic 18% increase in new donors recorded last fiscal year.
Walk to End Alzheimer's took place safely across the country through socially distanced in-person events and online Walk from home participation, with nearly 300,000 participants raising $87.5 million. This community support helped Walk to End Alzheimer's retain its second-place standing in the Peer-to-Peer Forum's Top 30 rankings for all fundraising runs, walks and cycling events nationwide. Edward Jones and CVS Health served as National Presenting Sponsors, and nationwide corporate sponsorship of Walk remained strong, with a record 61 National Teams raising $13 million — a 30% increase over last year.
Participants in The Longest Day continued to use outdoor hobbies and personal skills to fundraise for the signature event, bringing in over $11 million — a 22% increase over the 2021 season. Activities such as hiking and golf were popular, while many other teams focused on arts and crafts, baking and cooking. Many participants used social media to document — and even livestream — their activities and collect donations. The number of Global Teams joining the event increased to 18, with these partners raising $2.3 million — a 21% growth from FY21.
Financial services firm Edward Jones continued its strategic alliance with the Association, giving more than $5.6 million through corporate contributions and Walk to End Alzheimer's teams. Since 2016, the firm and its associates have raised more than $30 million for the fight to end Alzheimer's, and have committed $50 million to the Association over a 10-year period. This is the largest contribution ever pledged by an Association corporate partner and is used to enhance care and support programs; provide educational materials for Edward Jones clients and colleagues; and advance critical Alzheimer's research. The firm once again supported Walk to End Alzheimer's, not only as a National Presenting Sponsor, but also through activation of more than 11,100 participants on nearly 3,000 teams, who raised $3.3 million. Demonstrating its commitment to research, Edward Jones also continued its sponsorship of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2021 through a gift of $50,000, and provided a yearly corporate contribution of $900,000 to support Alzheimer's research in the lab, clinic and community, with the majority of funding supporting the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU) Primary Prevention Trial.
Ride to End ALZ®, the Association's signature cycling event that directly raises funds for Alzheimer's research, grew substantially with two virtual challenges and five in-person rides. Collectively, 3,218 individuals representing all 50 states and more than 25 countries raised a record $2.7 million.
Revenue from generous corporate contributors totaled more than $17.2 million and earned millions of impressions to increase concern and awareness of the disease. A complete list of corporate supporters at the $50,000 level and above is available in the PDF version of this report.
CVS Health served as a National Presenting Sponsor for Walk to End Alzheimer's and completed its three-year commitment to the Association. An in-store campaign offered customers the option to round up their purchases to give to the Association, which helped drive millions of dollars in donations. The total three-year campaign hit $11.5 million, which exceeds CVS Health's initial $10 million commitment.
The Association once again received support from AmazonSmile, a program that donates 0.5% of a supporter's eligible purchases on Amazon to their charity of choice. Shoppers participating through the program raised nearly $500,000 for the Association..
GM OnStar continued to support the Association through its Guardian mobile app. OnStar committed to donating $1 per download of the app through December 2022, for a maximum donation of $325,000. OnStar helped increase awareness of the Association through its TV and digital campaign “Parents,” which included a national TV spot airing in advance of the Super Bowl that earned over 628 million impressions.
In its 20th year, CNO Financial and Bankers Life hosted its annual Forget Me Not Days fundraising campaign. The June 2022 program raised $215,000 for the Association through public and associate donations. The company also supported the Association with a $200,000 corporate donation and by sponsoring local Walk to End Alzheimer's events in Chicago and Indianapolis, where the company has corporate offices. Since 2003, this partnership has helped raise more than $7 million for the Association.
For a fourth year, BJ's Restaurants, Inc., served as a Proud Supporter of The Longest Day. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse guests who dined in or ordered takeout throughout June 2022 were invited to donate to the Association. Guests raised more than $200,000 for Alzheimer's research, care and support, and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse also donated $25,000 to advance the Association's mission.
Comprising philanthropists who make a gift commitment of $1 million or more to the Association, the Zenith Society welcomed four new members, increasing membership to 99. Zenith member GHR Foundation made lead gifts totaling $9 million to support two groundbreaking prevention trials, DIAN-TU Primary Prevention and AHEAD. Zenith Society members generated $39 million for the Association's mission through personal gifts, special events, direct marketing challenges, Walk to End Alzheimer's and more.
The Aspire Society recognizes individuals and foundations who give $10,000 or more per year through outright gifts, galas, Walk to End Alzheimer's and other avenues to support every pillar of the Association's mission. The Association was honored to acknowledge more than 1,600 Aspire Society members in FY22.
The Association welcomed 356 new Founders Society members, a 24% increase over FY21. The Founders Society recognizes and honors those extraordinary individuals who remember the Association in their estate plans. The Association received $121.1 million from legacy donors who made gifts through a will, trust, charitable gift annuity or other planned gift arrangement.
The Alois Society, which includes donors who make an annual gift of $1,000 to $9,999, increased revenue significantly, raising $26 million. This marks a 24% increase over the previous year.
Led by philanthropist Michaela "Mikey" Hoag, Alzheimer's Association Part the Cloud, a movement to fund innovative research, continued accelerating scientific progress. The Part the Cloud Gala, held in October in Woodside, California, raised more than $33 million. The funds will be used to advance high-risk, high-reward research projects aimed at potential new treatments and devices for Alzheimer's and all other dementia.
The Alzheimer's Association Imagine Benefit, built on the legacy of the Rita Hayworth Gala, raised nearly $800,000. Founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, the FY22 event was held at the iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, and highlights included performances from some of New York City's finest stage artists, including Krystal Joy Brown (Eliza Schuyler in “Hamilton”) and Meghan Picerno (Christine Daae in “Phantom of the Opera”).
The Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala, co-chaired by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and Phoebe Stone Nitekman, granddaughter of Association founder Jerry Stone, was held at the Hilton Chicago and raised $700,000. The event included a performance by the Aloft Circus Group and the band Maggie Speaks. With the theme “This is Our Moment,” the gala recognized those who champion the Association's mission. Dani Jachino, a 15-year Illinois Chapter board member, received the 2022 Philanthropy Award.
Siblings Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ashley Williams and Jay Williams hosted the fourth annual Dance Party to End ALZ in Nashville. Wearing iconic '80s fashion, top artists like Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker performed throwback hits from the decade. The event raised nearly $300,000 for the Association's research grant program.
Inspire Napa Valley, founded and led by wine industry tastemaker Kerrin Laz in honor of her mother, returned with two signature events. The Winter Wine & Food Fête featured an exceptional VIP lunch and walk-around wine tasting; the Spring Wine Weekend included tastings, a wine seminar with an Alzheimer's update led by Association Chief Science Officer Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., and a quintessential wine-country dinner. The annual California-based events combined to raise over $2 million for Alzheimer's care, support and research.