Our financial contribution to research is impressive. But so is the percentage of our budget spent for research. The American Heart Association's percentage to research compares favorably with that of other health organizations. Each affiliate channels more than 30 percent of every publicly donated dollar into research. For each dollar, 15.5 cents support the association's National Research Program, and at least 15 cents support their own affiliate research programs.
Affiliate programs vary according to local needs and resources.
Like the National Research Program, they provide salary and project support, or both. In comparison, administrative costs for other major health agencies represented a greater proportion of their total research expense. The American Heart Association partners with other organizations to support cardiovascular research beyond its own financial resources. This includes encouraging the President and Congress to enact significant increases in the federal research budget for the National Institutes of Health, the largest single funder of cardiovascular and stroke research in the United States. It also includes enlisting the help of corporations and foundations in the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.