Charity of the week: American Federation for Aging Research
The American Foundation for Aging Research funds grants to support research into aging and to train scientists and physicians in geriatric research and medicine.
Founded in 1981 by Dr. Irving Wright, who saw an urgent need for research in geriatrics as the American population aged, the American Foundation for Aging Research (afar.org) has distributed $132 million in grants to support research into aging and to train scientists and physicians in geriatric research and medicine. AFAR grantee Brian Kennedy, of the Buck Institute for Age Research, is investigating aging in yeast, worms, and flies, and applying his findings to human biology. His work could lead to drugs that slow the aging process and treat age-related diseases. Grantee Reisa Sperling was recently featured in The New York Times for her work in developing a rapid, reliable diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s, which up to now could be conclusively diagnosed only through an autopsy.
Each charity highlighted on this page has earned a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator, the largest evaluator of charities in America. Charity Navigator ranks not-for-profit organizations on their financial strength, the effectiveness of their programs, their control of administrative and fund-raising expenses, and the transparency of their operations. Four stars is the group’s highest ranking.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 1, 2025
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - trade wars, tax deadlines, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The ETA: how new UK travel rules may affect you
The Explainer Full roll-out of Britain's new travel scheme is designed to be easy, but some have already faced problems
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Arts on prescription: why doctors are prescribing museums and comedy
In The Spotlight Stressed-out patients in Switzerland are being prescribed a trip to the museum to boost their mental wellbeing
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published