BrightFocus Foundation
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersClarksburg, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
BrightFocus Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BrightFocus Foundation
- Legal name
- BrightFocus Foundation
- Website
- https://brightfocus.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BrightFocus Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Disease Research Funding
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
Keywords
Where BrightFocus Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Clarksburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
BrightFocus Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: BrightFocus Foundation is funded entirely by voluntary private contributions from donors. The foundation receives tax-deductible donations through its website with options for one-time and monthly giving, tribute gifts (in honor or memory of loved ones), and planned giving through bequests and charitable estate planning.
- Program-Specific Donations: Donors can direct their contributions to specific research programs: Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR), Macular Degeneration Research (MDR), or National Glaucoma Research (NGR).
- In-Kind Donations: The foundation receives in-kind donations to expand public health information outreach, which are included in Program Services expenses and allow the organization to reach millions with information about risk factors, treatments, and caregiving.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | One-time or monthly donation amounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels12 records
BrightFocus Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds scientific research into Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma through its three core grant programs (Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research). The foundation awards grants to scientists at universities and research institutions worldwide and provides free educational resources, virtual programs, podcasts, and clinical trial information to patients, caregivers, and families affected by these diseases.
Product overview
BrightFocus Foundation operates as a nonprofit research funder with three core programs—Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research—that collectively constitute its primary product offerings. These programs provide grant funding to scientists worldwide. Supporting the research mission, the organization offers patient and caregiver resources including virtual education programs (Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer's, Macular Chats, Glaucoma Chats), the Let's Talk Alzheimer's podcast, the Educating Through Film documentary initiative, clinical trial search tools, and comprehensive disease education materials. The organization does not offer a technology platform product but rather provides research funding programs alongside public health information services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Program Flagship research funding program that supports promising biomedical research projects worldwide to discover a cure for Alzheimer's disease, with over $192 million invested since 1985. Funds scientists at institutions including Massachusetts General Hospital, UCSF, and other leading research universities.
- Macular Degeneration Research Program Research funding program supporting cutting-edge projects investigating root causes, prevention strategies, and treatments for age-related macular degeneration, with over $56 million invested since 1999. Supports 44 active grants worldwide.
- National Glaucoma Research Program Research funding program supporting projects on causes, prevention, and treatment of glaucoma, with more than $52 million awarded since 1978. Supports 31 active grants worldwide as of 2025.
- Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer's Live, interactive virtual discussion series featuring renowned research scientists and clinicians to inform audiences about the latest brain health breakthroughs and findings. Free educational program for patients, caregivers, and the public.
- Macular Chats Accessible audio conversations with scientists and vision experts about treatments, research breakthroughs, news, and tips for living with macular degeneration. Free educational resource for patients and families.
- Glaucoma Chats Accessible audio conversations featuring scientists and vision experts discussing treatments, research breakthroughs, news, and tips for living with glaucoma. Free educational resource for patients and families.
- Let's Talk Alzheimer's Podcast Podcast featuring world-class scientists and doctors discussing late-breaking Alzheimer's and dementia research in plain language for families and caregivers. Free audio educational resource.
- Clinical Trials Search Online tool powered by Antidote widget enabling site visitors to search for clinical trials related to Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Free service connecting patients with research opportunities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 71% of expenses allocated to research and health information services (2025)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BrightFocus Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BrightFocus Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
BrightFocus Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Helen Keller FoundationflagshipBrightFocus Foundation and Helen Keller Foundation co-present the prestigious Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research, recognizing pioneering scientists in eye research worldwide. The partnership represents a long-standing commitment to advancing vision science and honoring breakthrough contributions to preventing and treating macular degeneration and glaucoma.
- Hilarity for CharitycorePartnership with Hilarity for Charity (founded by Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen) to present the documentary 'Taking Care,' a 38-minute film following the Rogens as they face challenges of Lauren's mother's early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The film combines humor and honesty about caregiving challenges.
- PCH FilmscoreCo-presenter with Hilarity for Charity and BrightFocus of 'Taking Care' documentary directed by James Keach, helping raise awareness about Alzheimer's caregiving through film.
- AARPcorePartner in presenting the 'Taking Care' documentary, leveraging AARP's extensive membership to reach older adults and families affected by Alzheimer's disease.
- ReminiscentcorePartnership with this Valdosta-based dementia education nonprofit to build equitable access to Alzheimer's care in underrepresented communities. The collaboration aims to build trust, raise awareness, and provide meaningful brain health information to under-resourced communities in Georgia.
- Alzheimer's LAcoreJoint funding partnership for AI-driven Alzheimer's research through early-stage pilot grants aimed at accelerating innovation and collaboration in Southern California. Represents strategic investment in emerging technology approaches to Alzheimer's disease.
- Filmmakers and Documentary PartnerscorePartnership with filmmakers including James Keach (director of 'Turning Point: The Quest for a Cure' and 'Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me') to create documentaries that tell compelling stories of scientists, volunteers, and those afflicted with mind and sight diseases, increasing public awareness and engagement.
- Public and Private CompaniesminorBrightFocus partners with companies that share their values and commitment to end these diseases through its 'Become a Partner' program, focusing on organizations aligned with their mission.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BrightFocus Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation: Funds translational and clinical-stage Alzheimer's drug discovery research. Comparable grantmaking model and disease focus, with overlapping grantee institutions and donor segments in biomedical philanthropy.
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research at Rockefeller University: Affiliated foundation funding Alzheimer's research at a leading academic institution. Comparable donor-supported research model and disease focus, competing for the same Alzheimer's research donor pool.
- Foundation Fighting Blindness: Major nonprofit funding retinal degenerative disease research including macular degeneration. Comparable research-grantmaking model, donor base, and scientific advisory infrastructure for vision research.
- American Macular Degeneration Foundation: Nonprofit specifically dedicated to macular degeneration research and education, directly overlapping with BrightFocus's Macular Degeneration Research program in both mission and target donor base.
- Cure Alzheimer's Fund: Nonprofit focused exclusively on funding Alzheimer's disease research with a high-risk, high-reward approach that mirrors BrightFocus's scientific philosophy. Directly competes for research grant applications and donor dollars in the Alzheimer's vertical.
- Prevent Blindness: National nonprofit focused on vision loss prevention through education, advocacy, and research funding. Comparable in scope to BrightFocus's vision-related programs (MDR and NGR) and patient-education mission.
- The Glaucoma Foundation: Nonprofit funding glaucoma research and education, directly comparable to BrightFocus's National Glaucoma Research program. Competes for vision-research donor dollars and overlapping ophthalmology research community.
- Alzheimer's Association: Largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, care, and support in the U.S. Directly comparable to BrightFocus's Alzheimer's Disease Research program, competing for the same donor base and scientific talent pool.
- Research to Prevent Blindness: Long-standing nonprofit providing research grants for eye disease including macular degeneration and glaucoma. Directly comparable funding model and institutional grantee relationships at major U.S. ophthalmology departments.
Broad incumbents
- American Federation for Aging Research: Major nonprofit funding biomedical aging research including Alzheimer's-related science. Overlaps with BrightFocus's Alzheimer's program but operates more broadly across aging biology rather than a single disease.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BrightFocus Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceBrightFocus Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BrightFocus Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BrightFocus Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BrightFocus Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BrightFocus Foundation
What does BrightFocus Foundation do?
BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds scientific research into Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma through its three core grant programs (Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research). The foundation awards grants to scientists at universities and research institutions worldwide and provides free educational resources, virtual programs, podcasts, and clinical trial information to patients, caregivers, and families affected by these diseases.
Is BrightFocus Foundation a public or private company?
BrightFocus Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was BrightFocus Foundation founded?
BrightFocus Foundation was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BrightFocus Foundation based?
BrightFocus Foundation is headquartered in Clarksburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does BrightFocus Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are program-Specific Donations and in-Kind Donations.
Who are BrightFocus Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research at Rockefeller University, Foundation Fighting Blindness, American Macular Degeneration Foundation, Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Prevent Blindness, The Glaucoma Foundation, Alzheimer's Association and Research to Prevent Blindness. American Federation for Aging Research is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does BrightFocus Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for BrightFocus Foundation.
What industry is BrightFocus Foundation in?
BrightFocus Foundation's product category is Nonprofit Disease Research Funding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8731.