American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is a 120-year-old U.S. nonprofit that delivers evidence-based lung health education, tobacco cessation programs, patient support services, research funding, and federal advocacy on clean air and tobacco control policy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1906
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What American Lung Association does
The American Lung Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization (Tax ID 13-1632524) founded circa 1904-1906 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that delivers lung health education, research funding, advocacy, and direct patient services across the United States. Its core program portfolio includes Freedom From Smoking (a multi-format tobacco cessation program — self-paced online, group clinics, corporate wellness — reporting a 57% quit rate at six months when paired with FDA-approved medication), the free Lung HelpLine staffed by licensed RNs, respiratory therapists, and certified tobacco treatment specialists, the Patient & Caregiver Network, LUNG FORCE (a national lung cancer advocacy movement), Saved By The Scan (lung cancer screening eligibility assessment), and Better Breathers Clubs (peer support groups). The organization also publishes three authoritative annual reports — State of the Air, State of Lung Cancer, and State of Tobacco Control — which constitute the de facto benchmarks for U.S. lung health policy.
American Lung Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Lung Association
- Legal name
- American Lung Association
- Website
- https://lung.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1906
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- The American Lung Association is a 120-year-old U.S. nonprofit that delivers evidence-based lung health education, tobacco cessation programs, patient support services, research funding, and federal advocacy on clean air and tobacco control policy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Lung Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Health Education and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Environmental Policy, Advocacy & Litigation (BPAGAGAG)
Keywords
Where American Lung Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
American Lung Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting lung health research, education, and advocacy programs. 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to program services.
- Event Fundraising: Revenue from participation fees and fundraising for events including Fight For Air Climbs, LUNG FORCE runs/walks, Cycle For Air, and galas. Combined event fundraising goals exceed $1.9 million annually.
- Program Fees: Freedom From Smoking online program ($99.95), employer wellness programs ($99.95-$150 per employee), self-help workbooks ($6.75), and facilitator training ($400).
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate support and sponsorship relationships with healthcare companies including Pfizer, Moderna, and Merck for specific health campaigns and education programs.
- Christmas Seals Campaign: Traditional fundraising campaign through sale of Christmas Seals merchandise.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | FFS Plus Online - Self-paced 6-week program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Group Program - In-person or virtual |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Help Guide workbook |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Wellness - Employer program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Facilitator Training certification |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
American Lung Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The American Lung Association is a nonprofit health organization that provides evidence-based lung health education, advocacy, and research funding. It sells tobacco cessation services through its Freedom From Smoking program (online, group, and corporate wellness formats) and provides free patient support services via the Lung HelpLine, Patient & Caregiver Network, Better Breathers Clubs, Saved By The Scan lung cancer screening awareness, and Better Breathers Clubs. Revenue is primarily derived from individual donations, event fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and program fees supporting lung disease research and public health advocacy.
Product overview
The American Lung Association offers a comprehensive suite of health education, advocacy, and support services centered on lung health and disease prevention. The organization operates as a multi-platform health nonprofit with a portfolio of interconnected programs including the flagship Freedom From Smoking quit-smoking program (available as group clinics, online courses, and self-help materials), the Lung HelpLine staffed by clinical professionals, the Patient & Caregiver Network providing online support communities, and LUNG FORCE for lung cancer advocacy and awareness. Key programs include Saved By The Scan (lung cancer screening promotion), Better Breathers Clubs (peer support groups), and Lung Health Navigators (one-on-one coaching). The organization also conducts annual research reporting through State of the Air, State of Lung Cancer, and State of Tobacco Control reports, and runs fundraising events including Fight For Air Climbs and LUNG FORCE Walks/Runs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LUNG FORCE: A national movement unite Americans in fighting lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer in the U.S., through education, advocacy and research.
- Freedom From Smoking
- Saved By The Scan
- Fight For Air Climb
- Christmas Seals
Products and services
- Freedom From Smoking A comprehensive quit-smoking program helping individuals overcome tobacco addiction through group clinics, online self-paced courses, self-help materials, and corporate wellness formats. Has helped over one million people quit smoking with a 57% success rate when paired with FDA-approved medication.
- Lung HelpLine A free information and support service staffed by licensed registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and certified tobacco treatment specialists. Provides guidance on lung health questions, tobacco quitting, lung disease support, vaccination guidance, and healthcare enrollment in 250+ languages via phone (1-800-LUNGUSA) and live chat.
- Patient & Caregiver Network A nationwide online support program providing lung disease management tools, education, and connection to other patients and caregivers through wellness hubs, disease-specific communities, and webcasts.
- Better Breathers Club In-person and virtual support groups for people living with lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, featuring educational presentations on relevant topics.
- LUNG FORCE A national movement uniting people impacted by lung cancer to raise awareness and fund research to defeat the leading cause of cancer deaths in America.
- Saved By The Scan A lung cancer screening awareness campaign promoting low-dose CT scans for high-risk individuals (current or former smokers over age 50) to detect lung cancer early when more likely to be curable. Over 1.5 million people have taken the screening eligibility quiz.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs Education and exercise programs helping individuals with chronic lung disease increase awareness, achieve exercise with less shortness of breath, and improve quality of life in a group setting.
- Fight For Air Climbs Stair climb fundraising events held in iconic buildings across the United States to raise funds for lung disease research, clean air programs, and tobacco-free advocacy.
- Freedom From Smoking Group Clinics In-person or virtual eight-session group programs led by certified facilitators, where participants work through the quitting process together over seven weeks with proven success rates.
- FFS Plus Online A self-paced online version of the Freedom From Smoking program spanning 6 weeks with 9 sessions, offering interactive tools and support for quitting tobacco at $99.95.
- Lung Health Navigators Free personalized support services for people living with lung cancer, COPD, and asthma, providing one-on-one education and guidance to help navigate the healthcare system.
- Virtual Home Assessments Personalized assessments for individuals with chronic lung disease to improve indoor air quality in their homes and develop action plans for managing lung health symptoms.
- State of the Air Report Annual flagship report tracking air quality across U.S. cities and counties, documenting ozone pollution and particle pollution levels and their health impacts.
- State of Lung Cancer Report Annual report examining lung cancer statistics nationwide, including survival rates, early diagnosis rates, and state rankings for lung cancer outcomes.
- State of Tobacco Control Report Annual report grading states on their tobacco control policies including prevention program funding, tobacco taxes, smokefree laws, and flavored tobacco restrictions.
- LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day Annual advocacy event held in Washington D.C. mobilizing lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates to meet with Congressional members to advocate for NIH and CDC research funding.
- Freedom From Smoking Facilitator Training Training and 3-year certification program for facilitators to deliver Freedom From Smoking clinics, including continuing education, marketing templates, and program support at $400 per facilitator.
Quantifiable outcome
- 52% increase in five-year lung cancer survival rate over the past decade
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use American Lung Association
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
American Lung Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American Lung Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- PfizercoreAmerican Lung Association partnered with Pfizer to launch an educational campaign encouraging adults—especially those 50 and older—to discuss pneumococcal vaccination with healthcare providers. Campaign aims to increase awareness about pneumococcal pneumonia (causing ~225,000 adult hospitalizations annually) and ensure at-risk populations have access to prevention information.
- Community Air Monitoring NetworkscoreAmerican Lung Association released a report examining how communities use air quality monitors to track industrial pollution and protect public health, featuring case studies from Albany's South End, West Oakland, Montana, Methow (Washington), Commerce City, and Louisville's Rubbertown industrial corridor. Partnerships with community-led initiatives like Air Justice support hyperlocal pollution tracking.
- MerckcoreAmerican Lung Association launched a free education and support campaign for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in 2025, supported by Merck. The campaign provides resources and support for families facing this rare lung disease.
- ModernacoreModerna is supporting the American Lung Association's campaign to promote vaccination awareness for respiratory virus season. The campaign targets high-risk groups including those with lung cancer and chronic lung disease, emphasizing flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines with educational resources and webinars.
- Sierra ClubcoreSierra Club and American Lung Association submitted amicus briefs supporting New York City and State laws prohibiting fossil fuel-burning appliances in new buildings. The coalition of health and environmental groups successfully defended building electrification policies in Federal Appeals Court.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
American Lung Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Cancer Society: Large national health nonprofit with comparable mission structure — research funding, patient support, advocacy, and event-based fundraising — directly competing with ALA's LUNG FORCE for lung cancer donors and awareness attention.
- American Heart Association: Closest structural analog: 100+ year-old national health nonprofit combining research grants, advocacy, paid corporate wellness programs, mass-participation fundraising events, and clinical education — competing for overlapping healthcare corporate sponsors and cause-marketing dollars.
- American Diabetes Association: National disease-focused nonprofit using research funding, advocacy, patient support communities, and corporate partnerships — comparable in scale, donor-base dynamics, and B2B wellness monetization approach.
- American Thoracic Society: Medical professional society focused on pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine; overlaps with ALA on clinician education, clinical guidelines, and lung disease research advocacy — competing for healthcare provider attention and research funding influence.
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: Advocacy nonprofit directly overlapping ALA on tobacco control policy, youth vaping prevention, and State of Tobacco Control-style policy grading — competes for foundation grants and policy influence.
- American Public Health Association: National public health membership organization with overlapping agenda on clean air, tobacco control, vaccination, and health equity — competing for policy influence and public health professional engagement.
- Sierra Club: Active ALA partner (amicus briefs on NYC building electrification) and direct peer as a large environmental advocacy organization with comparable donor base, federal/state policy focus, and grassroots mobilization model.
Emerging players
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Disease-specific lung health nonprofit with comparable research funding, clinical care network, and advocacy model — narrower disease focus but similar donor engagement and pharma partnership structure.
- COPD Foundation: Focused lung disease nonprofit (COPD specifically) overlapping with ALA's Better Breathers Clubs, pulmonary rehab education, and patient navigation services — partial overlap with a more clinical-research orientation.
- National Kidney Foundation: Disease-focused nonprofit with parallel structure (research funding, patient support, advocacy, events) — comparable operational model and corporate wellness monetization approach, though in a non-pulmonary specialty.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Lung Association social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Lung Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Lung Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles29 records
American Lung Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Lung Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Lung Association
What does American Lung Association do?
The American Lung Association is a nonprofit health organization that provides evidence-based lung health education, advocacy, and research funding. It sells tobacco cessation services through its Freedom From Smoking program (online, group, and corporate wellness formats) and provides free patient support services via the Lung HelpLine, Patient & Caregiver Network, Better Breathers Clubs, Saved By The Scan lung cancer screening awareness, and Better Breathers Clubs. Revenue is primarily derived from individual donations, event fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and program fees supporting lung disease research and public health advocacy.
Is American Lung Association a public or private company?
American Lung Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Lung Association founded?
American Lung Association was founded in 1906. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is American Lung Association based?
American Lung Association is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Lung Association make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are event Fundraising, program Fees, corporate Sponsorships and christmas Seals Campaign.
Who are American Lung Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Thoracic Society, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Public Health Association and Sierra Club. Emerging players are Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, COPD Foundation and National Kidney Foundation.
Does American Lung Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Lung Association.
What industry is American Lung Association in?
American Lung Association's product category is Nonprofit Health Education and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAC, Community Health, Prevention & Health Education, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAG, Environmental Policy, Advocacy & Litigation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.