ACT for NIH

What ACT for NIH does

ACT for NIH is a 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy organization founded in 2014 by Jed Manocherian and headquartered at 300 New Jersey Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. Its core function is to lobby the U.S. Congress to increase appropriations for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working alongside an affiliated 501(c)(3) educational foundation (ACT for NIH Foundation). The organization operates as part of a coalition that includes the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), United for Medical Research, and United for Cures, and engages patient advocacy groups, universities, medical schools, and research institutions in support of its mission.

The organization's outputs are not technology products but rather advocacy deliverables: policy positions, congressional testimony and meetings, press releases, downloadable fact sheets on NIH's economic and health impact, and educational publications such as the 2023 book 'Angel in Mink' about Mary Lasker's role in establishing NIH. Its communications are distributed through a website (actfornih.org), X (@ACTforNIH), and LinkedIn, targeting policymakers, patient organizations, and the public. The organization has publicly claimed or been credited with helping secure NIH funding increases of $2 billion in FY2016, $2 billion in FY2017, $3 billion in FY2018, $2.6 billion in FY2020, and $415 million in FY2026.

ACT for NIH's revenue model is donations and grants to a 501(c)(4) vehicle, with no products, services, or pricing tiers. It has a small staff of 1-10 employees, led by President Kate Klimczak (effective January 2026), Vice President Garrett Devenney, and Advocacy and Operations Manager Katy Turner, with a board that includes Founder & Chairman Jed Manocherian. It is governed independently, with no parent organization, and operates solely within the United States.

Name

ACT for NIH

Legal name

ACT for NIH

Website

https://actfornih.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ACT for NIH is a 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy organization founded in 2014 that lobbies Congress to increase federal funding for the National Institutes of Health, working with patient organizations, research institutions, and scientific societies to advance biomedical research funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Research Funding Agencies (Public/Quasi-Public) (HLAJALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Biomedical research advocacy
• NIH funding advocacy
• Federal appropriations lobbying
• Medical research policy
• Non-profit health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Donations and grants: ACT for NIH is a 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy organization that receives funding through donations and grants to support its advocacy activities for increasing NIH funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACT for NIH is a 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy organization that works with Congress to make increasing biomedical research funding a national priority. The affiliated ACT for NIH Foundation (501(c)(3)) educates policymakers and the public about the importance of NIH-funded biomedical research. The organization produces advocacy materials, fact sheets, and publications, and partners with patient organizations, research institutions, and scientific societies to advance NIH funding.

Product overview

ACT for NIH is a non-profit advocacy organization (501(c)(4)) working with Congress to make increasing biomedical research funding a national priority. Its affiliated ACT for NIH Foundation (501(c)(3)) is committed to advancing life-saving biomedical research by educating policymakers and the public about NIH. The organization produces advocacy materials including the 'Angel in Mink' book publication and downloadable fact sheets on medical research. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Angel in Mink Book A biographical book about Mary Lasker's crusade for medical research and the National Institutes of Health, published by the ACT for NIH Foundation. Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats for the general public and supporters of biomedical research advocacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped secure $2 billion increase for NIH in FY2016, the largest increase since 2003
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ad Hoc Group for Medical ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition of patient groups, medical societies, and research institutions that advocates for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health. ACT for NIH works closely with this group as part of the broader biomedical research advocacy community.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA broad scientific society that advances science, engineering, and innovation. ACT for NIH partners with AAAS as part of the biomedical research advocacy community.
• United for Medical ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition of leading research institutions and patient advocacy groups that support increased NIH funding. ACT for NIH collaborates with this group to advance shared advocacy goals.
• United for CurescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn advocacy coalition focused on advancing medical research funding. ACT for NIH partners with United for Cures to educate policymakers and the public about the importance of NIH-funded biomedical research.
• ACT for NIH FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe affiliated 501(c)(3) organization of ACT for NIH, committed to advancing life-saving biomedical research by educating policymakers and the public about the importance of NIH research. ACT for NIH Foundation publishes educational materials including the book 'Angel in Mink'.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research: Coalition of patient groups, medical societies, and research institutions advocating for increased NIH funding. A formal partner of ACT for NIH with an essentially overlapping mission and stakeholder base.
• United for Medical Research: Coalition of leading research institutions and patient advocacy groups that supports increased NIH funding. Shares ACT for NIH's advocacy targets, stakeholder engagement, and appropriations focus.
• United for Cures: Advocacy coalition focused on advancing medical research funding and educating policymakers. A formal partner of ACT for NIH with a near-identical mission to educate Congress and the public about NIH.
• Research!America: Non-profit alliance advocating for increased federal funding for health and medical research. Closely comparable mission and congressional engagement focus to ACT for NIH.
• FasterCures: Milken Institute center focused on accelerating medical research and improving the biomedical R&D ecosystem. Closely aligned mission of advancing biomedical research through advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Coalition for Life Sciences: Advocacy coalition of scientific societies and research institutions that champions federal funding for biomedical research. Closely comparable congressional engagement mission to ACT for NIH.

Broad incumbents

• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): Large, established scientific society that advocates for science funding broadly (including NIH). A formal ACT for NIH partner — overlaps on biomedical research advocacy but covers all scientific disciplines.
• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN): Advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society that lobbies for cancer research funding (including NIH/NCI appropriations). Overlaps on congressional advocacy for research funding but disease-specific.
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Represents medical schools and teaching hospitals, actively advocates for NIH funding. Shares ACT for NIH's research-institution coalition interests but operates a much broader agenda.
• American Heart Association (AHA): Major health non-profit that advocates for federal cardiovascular and stroke research funding (a subset of NIH). Comparable advocacy and coalition model, but with a disease-specific focus and much larger operational footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/actfornih
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/actfornih

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ACT for NIH