American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1904, it is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. The organization employs 536 staff members and operates across multiple states and internationally.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$225.7M
+2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.0M
-7.3% YoY
Grant Count
49
+2.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$265K
-9.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
The organization's work is structured around four strategic imperatives:
- Defeat lung cancer — including the Lung Force initiative, which has raised over $22 million to support research, education, early detection, and treatments
- Champion clean air for all — advocating for policies and legislation that protect air quality
- Improve quality of life for those with lung disease and their families — supporting the more than 35 million people living with chronic lung disease in the United States
- Create a tobacco-free future — reducing access to tobacco products and eliminating tobacco-related diseases
Primary program areas include lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung disease, and tobacco control. The organization invests in research, advocates for protective policies, and provides programs and resources to help individuals and families understand and manage lung disease.
Grantmaking
The American Lung Association operates a research institute that provides annual grants to promising scientists and academic medical centers.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts, though it operates nationally with local chapters and programs across all states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenue: $107,743,323
- Total Expenses: $113,812,580
- Total Assets: $225,692,916
- Total Liabilities: $44,400,000
Program Service Expenses (FY 2024):
- Lung cancer, asthma, lung disease and tobacco control: $55,290,754 (including $2,429,036 in grants)
- Research: $21,455,848 (including $12,784,781 in grants)
The organization has been tax-exempt since January 1944 and maintains a four-star rating from independent charity evaluators, with a 99% overall score reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $225,692,916 | $221,359,539 | $215,049,116 |
| Revenue | $107,743,323 | $108,589,062 | $129,392,936 |
| Expenses | $113,812,580 | $112,961,068 | $101,926,705 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,063,670 | $3,245,323 | $9,862,711 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from American Lung Association
Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Catalyst Award Grant
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award Grant
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Johns Hopkins University ($970,310), The Regents of the University of California San Francisco ($815,160), University of Alabama at Birmingham ($530,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY INC NEW YORK, NY | RESEARCH | $46,666 |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE HOUSTON, TX | RESEARCH | $323,105 |
| BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERISTY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO, IL | RESEARCH | $95,000 |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | RESEARCH | $200,000 |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL INC BOSTON, MA | RESEARCH | $102,500 |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CLEVELAND, OH | RESEARCH | $150,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | RESEARCH | $517,140 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, NC | RESEARCH | $296,485 |
| GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH SCHAUMBURG, IL | RESEARCH | $25,000 |
| H LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER & RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC TAMPA, FL | RESEARCH | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHERYL A CALHOUN CPA MBA | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL V CARSTENS | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 2 | — |
| STEPHEN R O'KANE | PAST CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JOHNNY A SMITH JR MA | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| RABIH I BECHARA MD FCCP | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ANNE E DIXON MD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| AFIF EL-HASAN MD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVID G HILL MD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARK C JOHNSON CFA MBA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WENDY LAWSON MPH RRT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| COLLEEN M MCINTOSH JD LLM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JUANITA MORA MD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SEAN R MULDOON MD MPH FCCP | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOE OCHIPINTI | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN B PADERNACHT EDD PCC | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CLAUDE A ROBINSON JR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JONATHON K ROSEN BA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAURIE SHELBY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHELLE SYLVIA SPRIGGS CPA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| STERLING QL YEE MBA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| HAROLD WIMMER | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $618,373 |
| LAURA SCOTT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $309,373 |
| SUE SWAN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $292,377 |
| DEBORAH BROWN | CHIEF MISSION OFFICER | 40 | $291,377 |
| JEFF SEYLER | CHIEF FIELD OFFICER | 40 | $286,377 |
| SARAH KRIKORIAN | CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER | 40 | $275,000 |
| NEIL BALLENTINE | CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER | 40 | $245,373 |
| JOENELL HENRY-TANNER | CHIEF OF STAFF, SVP GOVERNANCE | 40 | $257,873 |
| LEA GUTIERREZ | CHIEF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION OFFICER | 40 | $199,707 |
| PAUL BILLINGS | NATIONAL SENIOR VP, PUBLIC POLICY | 40 | $236,762 |
| ALLISON HICKEY | EXECUTIVE VP, MOUNTAIN PACIFIC & CA | 40 | $215,911 |
| SUSAN RAPPAPORT | NATIONAL VP, RESEARCH | 40 | $207,035 |
| EMILY MURPHY | DIVISION SENIOR VP, DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $187,251 |
| MARIA VANEGAS-ZEA | NATIONAL AVP, HUMAN RESOURCES | 40 | $169,123 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The American Lung Association announced a significant expansion of research funding, committing $22 million in research grants for fiscal years 2025-2026 as federal support for science faces uncertainty. The organization continues to expand its research grant programs and invites researchers to submit applications across its various funding categories.
Lung Association Steps Up with $22 Million in Research Funding as ...The organization celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Lung Force initiative in May 2024, which has raised more than $22 million to date to support lung cancer research, education, early detection, and treatments.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Lung Association fund?
**Mission:** To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The organization's work is structured around four strategic imperatives: 1. **Defeat lung cancer** — including the Lung Force initiative, which has raised over $22 million to support research, education, early detection, and treatments 2. **Champion clean air for all** — advocating for policies and legislation that protect air quality 3. **Improve quality of life for those with lung disease and their families** — s…
How do I apply for a grant from American Lung Association?
The American Lung Association operates a research institute that provides annual grants to promising scientists and academic medical centers. **Active grant opportunities include:** • Public Policy & Public Health Award • Lung Cancer Discovery Award • Innovation Award • Indoor Air Research Award • Hasting Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease • Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award • Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award • Catalyst Award • Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award **Grant c…
Where does American Lung Association make grants?
The organization's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts, though it operates nationally with local chapters and programs across all states.
What size grants does American Lung Association award?
In 2024, American Lung Association awarded 49 grants totaling $13.0M — an average of about $265K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Lung Association's EIN?
American Lung Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1632524. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Lung Association's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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