Introduction
The American Lung Association is a national nonprofit organisation dedicated to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through scientific research, public education, patient support and policy advocacy.
Founded in 1904, the organisation works across the United States to address lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections, air pollution, tobacco use and other threats to respiratory health. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organisation with Tax ID 13-1632524.
History and Background
The American Lung Association was founded in 1904 by volunteers seeking to confront tuberculosis, one of the most serious public health threats in the United States at that time.
The organisation pioneered a public health model combining education, advocacy and research. Its early Christmas Seals fundraising campaign mobilised volunteers and generated financial support for tuberculosis prevention and treatment.
As tuberculosis became increasingly controlled in the United States, the Association expanded its work to other respiratory diseases and environmental threats.
Over its history, the organisation has contributed to research associated with the discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene, the cause of infant respiratory distress syndrome and a gene linked to lung cancer.
Its advocacy has supported the Clean Air Act, smoke-free domestic flights, the Tobacco Control Act and the increase in the minimum legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21.
The organisation launched LUNG FORCE to unite people affected by lung cancer and created the Saved By The Scan campaign to promote lung cancer screening.
In 2017, nine separate nonprofit entities merged to establish one unified nationwide American Lung Association. The American Lung Association Research Institute was created in 2023 to expand investments in lung disease research and accelerate scientific discovery.
Mission and Purpose
The American Lung Association’s mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Its vision is a world free of lung disease.
Its work is organised around four strategic priorities: defeating lung cancer, championing clean air for everyone, improving the quality of life of people living with lung disease and their families, and creating a tobacco-free future.
The organisation provides science-based information about respiratory diseases, symptoms, prevention, screening and treatment. It also helps patients, families and caregivers understand diagnoses, manage health conditions and make informed treatment decisions.
Its advocacy work seeks stronger clean-air standards, protection from tobacco products, affordable healthcare, increased medical research funding and public policies that improve respiratory health.
The Association also works to reduce disparities in lung health by addressing unequal exposure to air pollution, barriers to screening and treatment, and differences in health outcomes among communities.
Governance and Structure
The American Lung Association is governed by a national volunteer Board of Directors that provides strategic and governance oversight. Its programmes and daily operations are managed by an executive leadership team and professional staff.
Mike Carstens was named Chair of the 2026–2027 National Board of Directors. Mark Johnson serves as Chair-elect, David Hill serves as Immediate Past Chair, and Joy Kleinmaier serves as Secretary and Treasurer.
The national board includes professionals with experience in healthcare, research, finance, law, business, technology and community development.
Harold P. Wimmer serves as President and Chief Executive Officer and directs the Association’s nationwide operations, programmes and strategic initiatives.
Funding and Grants
The American Lung Association receives support from individual donations, monthly contributions, memorial gifts, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, foundations and fundraising events.
Fundraising activities include LUNG FORCE Walks and Run/Walks, Fight For Air Climbs, cycling events, treks, galas and community-led campaigns. Nearly 40,000 people participated in its fundraising events during fiscal year 2025.
According to the Association’s fiscal year 2025 report, 90 cents of every donated dollar supported programme services. Fundraising represented 8% of expenditure, while management and general expenses represented 2%.
The American Lung Association invested more than $22 million in its Research Institute during fiscal year 2025. The organisation reports that it has invested more than $1 billion in lung health research throughout its history.
The Research Institute provides competitive funding for laboratory, patient-centred, clinical, behavioural and social-science research. Applications undergo administrative assessment and scientific peer review, with funding provided to proposals considered to be of the highest quality.
Research funding mechanisms include the Catalyst Award, Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award, Indoor Air Research Award, Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award and other specialised programmes addressing lung cancer, interstitial lung disease and respiratory health.
Grant amounts vary by programme. Current mechanisms include funding ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per year, generally for periods of two or three years.
Applicants must be employed by a United States-based not-for-profit institution and be authorised to work in the United States. Candidates can submit only one application or letter of intent during each grant cycle.
Applications are submitted through ProposalCentral. Researchers should review the individual programme descriptions, eligibility conditions, funding periods and application deadlines before applying.
Major Programs and Initiatives
LUNG FORCE is the Association’s national initiative against lung cancer. It mobilises patients, survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals and advocates to support research, screening and improved treatment.
Saved By The Scan is an online lung cancer screening initiative developed with the Ad Council. Its assessment helps people determine whether they may qualify for low-dose computed tomography screening.
The American Lung Association Research Institute funds researchers and supports studies focused on preventing, detecting and treating lung disease. It also manages the Airways Clinical Research Centers, a large nonprofit clinical research network dedicated to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease studies.
The Lung Health Cohort Research Study follows thousands of young adults to understand how lung disease begins and identify opportunities for prevention.
The annual State of the Air report evaluates exposure to ozone and particle pollution across American communities. It assigns air-quality grades to counties and identifies the cleanest and most polluted metropolitan areas.
The State of Lung Cancer report examines lung cancer incidence, survival, screening, early diagnosis, treatment and racial disparities across states.
The State of Tobacco Control report evaluates federal and state policies intended to prevent tobacco use and help people quit smoking.
The Patient and Caregiver Network provides education, support and connections for people living with lung disease and those who care for them.
The Lung HelpLine gives people access to respiratory health experts who provide information about lung disease, tobacco cessation, treatment and disease management.
The Association also delivers school air-quality initiatives, tobacco-prevention programmes, professional education, vaccination awareness activities and public advocacy campaigns.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The American Lung Association reports that its programmes directly reach more than 25 million people annually and benefit millions more through research, education and advocacy.
Its Saved By The Scan assessment has been completed by more than 1.5 million people. Approximately 20% of participants learned that they might qualify for lung cancer screening.
The five-year lung cancer survival rate reached 28.4%, representing a 52% increase over the previous decade. The Association supports continued progress through screening awareness, research investment, advocacy and patient education.
Research funding has supported projects addressing indoor air quality, respiratory pathogens, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic respiratory diseases and interstitial lung disease.
The Association currently funds 122 research projects, including 46 projects selected for its latest funding cycle. One highlighted project is examining methods for removing biological and chemical indoor-air pollutants to improve respiratory health among people with eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Through its Clean Air School Challenge, 100 schools serving students from kindergarten through grade 12 have received training, mentoring and resources to create healthier learning environments.
The Patient and Caregiver Network has grown to more than 18,000 members, expanding access to education, peer connection and support for people affected by lung disease.
The organisation has also played a prominent role in advocating for stronger air-quality standards, tobacco regulation, lung cancer research funding and improved access to affordable healthcare.
Conclusion
The American Lung Association is one of the United States’ longest-established public health organisations focused on respiratory health.
Its integrated model of research, education, advocacy and patient support addresses lung disease from multiple directions. The organisation funds scientific discovery, promotes early screening, helps people manage respiratory conditions, campaigns for cleaner air and works toward eliminating tobacco use.
Through the American Lung Association Research Institute, LUNG FORCE, Saved By The Scan, the Lung HelpLine, national health reports and community programmes, the Association continues to advance its vision of a world free from lung disease.
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