Grant to American Kidney Fund Will Support Disaster Relief and More

The American Kidney Fund (AKF), a nonprofit organization whose programs address early detection of kidney disease, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation, and advocacy, has received a $275,000 grant from the Rockville, Maryland-based Schattner Foundation. The gift will support AKF’s work on behalf of people with kidney disease in several ways.

With support from the foundation’s $25,000 leadership gift, AKF plans to establish a new designated fund for its existing disaster relief program. This program is the only rapid-response system in the United States that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis and recent transplant patients who have been impacted by natural disasters. These funds help pay for expenses related to lost medications and special kidney-friendly foods, temporary housing, transportation to treatment, and replacement clothing and personal essentials.

The Schattner Foundation grant will also support AKF’s Greater Washington Metropolitan Area Safety Net Financial Assistance Program. The program provides grants to low-income dialysis and transplant patients living in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia to help pay for treatment-related costs that are not covered by health insurance.

Past contributions from the foundation have helped AKF operate a national virtual camp program that provides enriching monthly activities for children living with kidney disease.