Als Association: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The ALS Association located?
The ALS Association's National Office is headquartered in Calabasas Hills, California. The Association has a nation-wide network of chapters and several dozen free standing support groups located throughout the United States carrying out the mission and activities of the organization at the local level. The ALS Association has representation in over 50 of the major markets in the United States.
Source: www.alsa.org
What is The ALS Association?
The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health agency dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.
Source: www.alsa.org
The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health agency dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.
Source: www.alsa.org
What is an ALS Association Certified Center SM ?
The nationwide network of ALS Association Certified Centers SM are distinguished regional centers that have been recognized by The ALS Association as the best in the field with regard to knowledge about and experience in ALS. To become certified as an ALS Association Center SM , an ALS clinic must achieve national prominence, meet rigorous clinical care standards, and pass a comprehensive site inspection.
Source: www.alsa.org
Who is the official spokesperson for The ALS Association?
The ALS Association relies on a variety of spokespeople to tell the ALS "story. " In addition to clinical and scientific experts on staff, we often turn to our many friends and partners in the medical and scientific fields to help convey an understanding of the many fronts on which The ALS Association is fighting this disease. ...
Source: www.alsa.org
Does The ALS Association fund ALS research?
The ALS Association is the largest private source of funding for ALS-specific research in the world. Over the last decade, we have committed close to $48 million to ALS research, seeking to identify the cause, means of prevention, and cure for ALS. The Association is currently overseeing approximately 100 different and diverse research projects. Through its world-class research program , The ALS Association is leading the search for a cure for ALS.
Source: www.alsa.org
Who oversees the work of The ALS Association?
The ALS Association is governed by voluntary leadership , including: National Board of Trustees, composed of noted leaders in business, science, law and medicine from around the U.S. with a dedication to help find answers to ALS. Chapter Board of Trustees, composed of individuals who represent the local community in which they serve. Medical Advisory Committee composed of neurologists and multidisciplinary team professionals representing such areas as nutrition, physical therapy and pulmonology. ...
Source: www.alsa.org
Are there tax benefits to making a gift to The ALS Association?
There are numerous tax benefits derived from a gift to The ALS Association. For further information or to receive documentation of The ALS Association's tax-exempt status, please contact the Office of Gift Planning toll-free at (888) 949-2577, or e-mail giftplanning@alsa-national.org.
Source: www.alsa.org
How can people get more information about ALS and The ALS Association?
The ALS Association has a toll-free information and referral service available to patients, caregivers and family members, staffed by The ALS Association Patient Service Coordinators. The ALS Association Information and Referral number is 1-800-782-4747. To reach The ALS Association's Patient Services department by e-mail, contact alsinfo@alsa-national.org . All media inquiries should be directed to The ALS Association's Media Relations department, 818-880-9007, x241 ( mediarelations@alsa-national.org ).
Source: www.alsa.org
Can I make a gift of stock to The ALS Association?
Yes. In fact, the remarkable growth in the value of stocks during recent years, and recent tax law changes, mean that you may achieve a substantial benefit by giving a gift of stock as opposed to cash. When making a gift of stock, please contact David Moses at 888-949-2577, or via e-mail at giftplanning@alsa-national.org . ...
Source: www.alsa.org
What are the three kinds of gifts I can give to The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter ?
Generally speaking, during your lifetime you can make an outright gift of cash, securities or other property (e.g., real estate, personal property). Upon your death you can make a gift through your will or revocable trust, or through a distribution from a retirement plan or life insurance policy. You also have the option of making a gift that returns lifetime payments to you, your spouse, or other individuals, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust .
Can The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter serve as the Executor of my estate?
State law, the limitations of our corporate powers, and our internal policies prevent us from taking such a role in your affairs.
Can I transfer my IRA to The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter to set up a life-income gift, and avoid income tax on the transfer?
New legislation gives donors aged 70½ and older an opportunity to direct lifetime distributions from their IRAs to us without incurring income tax liability on the withdrawal. The provision will be in effect for just the 2006 and 2007 tax years. Distributions can total $100,000 per year, and must be made outright — they cannot fund a life-income gift. Just e-mail us and we'll be happy to give you more information about this new charitable incentive. ...
If I create a bequest or life-income gift, will the ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter continue to ask me for annual contributions?
We will, because the commitments address two different needs. Your planned gift is a significant addition to our long-term financial strength -- our ability to meet the challenges and opportunities the future will bring. The obligations and expenses that we encounter today, however, are met through your annual gift. We are very grateful that you want the ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter to succeed both today and in the future. ...
I live out of the country and there are not any ALS Association offices here. I also can no longer speak, how do I go about obtaining benefits?
Virtually all monetary benefits (compensation, pension, educational assistance, etc.) are payable regardless of place of residence or nationality. For additional information, including VA contacts for veterans living abroad, please visit the VA’s website at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Foreign/index.htm . You also can apply for benefits online via the VA website here: Health Care: https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/ Service Connection: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526-ARE.pdf
Source: www.alsa.org
I want to set up a life insurance policy, name the ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter as beneficiary, but retain ownership of the policy. Can I deduct the premium payments I make?
The IRS would not consider that a "completed gift" - they'd say that, as the owner of the policy, you could change the beneficiary designation to a friend or family member. ALS must be made the irrevocable owner of the policy for gifts offsetting premium payments to be deductible.
