American Heart Association
Funds cardiovascular and stroke research and promotes heart health through education and advocacy.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 13, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is American Heart Association a good charity?
American Heart Association holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 99%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $925.8M in revenue, up 9% from $851.8M in 2018, and $862.5M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
Finances
From American Heart Association's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as American Heart Association Inc).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $925.8M | $862.5M | $1.2B | $9.3M | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $804.0M | $693.6M | $1.1B | $5.3M | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $700.4M | $740.2M | $878.0M | $5.5M | 990 PDF |
| 2019 | $746.4M | $769.7M | $945.6M | $5.7M | 990 PDF |
| 2018 | $851.8M | $827.1M | $951.8M | $7.1M | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in health & medical do
Health and medical charities deliver care through a combination of direct service (clinics, mobile units, hospital ships), supply distribution (bed nets, vaccines, vitamin supplements), and partnerships with ministries of health and local healthcare workers. The most cost-effective operate in low- and middle-income countries where every dollar reaches further. Funding supports medicine procurement, clinical staffing, training local healthcare workers, and infrastructure like cold-chain logistics for vaccines.
How to judge charities in this area
For global health charities, look for evidence based on randomized controlled trials, transparent cost-per-life-saved or cost-per-DALY (disability-adjusted life year) figures, and recent independent reviews. GiveWell's published cost-effectiveness analyses are the most rigorous public resource. For US-focused health charities, check the program-to-overhead ratio and how they measure patient outcomes, not just patients served.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Recurring monthly gifts let organizations plan procurement of bed nets, medicines, and equipment
- + Designate gifts to a specific program rather than the general fund if you want clearer impact reporting
- + Use employer matching programs — many companies double or triple gifts to registered health nonprofits
- + Donate appreciated stock instead of cash to avoid capital gains tax
- + Spread the word on social media — many health charities note that awareness drives a measurable share of new donors
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on American Heart Association:
Frequently asked
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