No matter where you are in the world, health is of utmost importance. Good health contributes greatly to a good life. This is why Americares focuses its efforts on providing health care and aid to people all around the globe.

Health care is something that every person needs but is not something that every person has access to. For those people who would otherwise be unable to receive treatment or medication, Americares is a blessing. From the United States and developing countries to areas experiencing a disaster or crisis, Americares helps as many people as they can.

What is Americares?

Americares is a non-profit organization that provides health care and disaster relief to many countries all around the world. The organization was founded by businessman and philanthropist, Robert C. Macauley, in 1979, four years after he and his wife mortgaged their home to pay for a Boeing 747 they had chartered to rescue the surviving children of a plane crash in Vietnam.

Robert Macaule with mother theresa

Source: Americares.org

Two years later, at the request of Pope John Paul II, Americares provided $3.2 million in medical supplies and aid to the country of Poland, which was under martial law. Since then, Americares has provided more than a hundred countries with billions of dollars in aid.

What Americares Does

In order to provide health care to as many people as they can, Americares provides several different kinds of assistance.

Access to medication

When it comes to nonprofit organizations that provide medical supplies and medications, Americares is the global leader. Just last year, they were able to fill 25 million prescriptions with the medication that they provided. Without Americares, many people would have to go without the medications that they desperately need. For some people, access to this medication is the difference between life and death.

Americares works with a network of health providers to ensure that the donated medications reach their intended destinations safely and in a timely manner so that patients will receive quality care when they need it.

Improving health in communities

In many areas around the world, the quality of the health care available is not as high as it could be. Americares works to change that. They work with health centers, hospitals, and clinics to improve the health of the community.

Health care workers in developing countries are often at risk of becoming infected themselves, so it is important that they have the resources they need to protect their own health as well as that of their patients. In these areas, Americares helps to provide the equipment needed to keep these crucial members of the community safe and healthy.

Through their efforts, Americares creates stronger health care systems in developing countries. As well as health care and resources, they provide local medical workers with training and information needed to care for their patients.

Mental health care

Americares is not only concerned with physical health needs, but mental health needs as well. During their lives, one in four people will be affected by a neurological or mental health disorder. As people with these needs are more likely than others to have a low income and no health insurance, many of them will go without treatment.

In the United States, nearly half of the 43 million people suffering from a mental health disorder do not receive treatment. Americares helps support dozens of clinics that provide care to those with mental health concerns.

The percentage of people with mental illnesses who do not receive treatment is much higher in developing countries. Up to 90 percent will not get the help that they need. In these areas, Americares helps to train health care workers to treat mental health problems so that they can then provide the care that their community needs.

Disaster relief and emergency response

In areas that are at high risk of disasters, Americares helps prepare for the worst. They provide the resources that are necessary to plan against and prepare for extreme weather, ongoing health crises, disease outbreaks, civil conflicts, and natural disasters.

Americares attempts to provide aid as quickly as possible in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency situation.  Because of the help that they receive from Americares, medical centers are able to treat patients in situations where health care would otherwise be unavailable. The care that is given during this time can save lives.

During times of disaster, Americares provides aid long after the initial emergency has passed. After an emergency, they will stay for as long as they feel they are needed to help local workers rebuild and provide for the damaged communities. Whether that need is health care, resources, or mental health care training, Americares does what they can to help.

Free clinics

Even in the US, where hospitals and health clinics are abundant, many people are still unable to get the care that they need. In Connecticut, where Americares is based, they provide free health care for uninsured residents in four locations: Stamford, Danbury, Bridgeport, and Norwalk. Since the first free clinic was opened in Stamford by founder Bob Macauley in 1994, Americares has provided much-needed care to thousands of low-income and uninsured patients.

At these clinics, patients are given care by volunteer doctors and nurses and can receive the medications that they need at a low cost or for free through assistance programs and donated medications.

Americares also has a clinic located in Santiago de María in El Salvador. In El Salvador, 20 percent of people are unable to afford the treatment that they need. The clinic, Clínica Integral de Atención Familiar, provides over 300 people each day with care and medications. These people can receive a wide variety of services and information from the many doctors and medical professionals who work in the clinic.

Who Are They?

People holding heart shape

Americares is made up of a large number of people who are dedicated to helping individuals all around the globe.

The organization is led by Chairman of the Board, Jerry Leamon, as well as Vice Chairman Samhita A. P. Jayanti, and Co-Founder and Permanent Vice Chairman Leila Macauley. The staff of Americares also includes a number of medical professionals who act as Global Medical Advisors.

Along with their permanent employees, Americares also relies on the help of many volunteers each year.

Are They Trustworthy?

Sometimes, you may discover that the charities you give your money to are not as trustworthy as you thought, but that is not the case with Americares. Charity Navigator gives them a four out of four-star rating with a financial score of 100 and a transparency and accountability score of 97 out of 100. Over 98 percent of their expenses come from charitable programs and services, so you know that they are putting your donations to good use.

Americares’ financial record

Tax-exempt organizations, nonexempt charitable trusts, and section 527 political organizations are required to file a Form 990 or 990EZ with the IRS.

Americares’ most recent IRS Form 990 or 990EZ available is for 2017. The following financial data was extracted from the organization’s most recent publicly available tax filing for their fiscal year ending June 2017. This financial information can give you a clearer picture of how they use their resources. 

Percentage of donations spent on services

  • Total donations and grants: $2,379,130,027
  • Spent on services and grants: $1,911,670,410
  • Percentage of donations toward grants and services:  80.35 Percent

Percentage of revenue spent on fundraising

  • Total revenue: $2,380,433,798
  • Fundraising expenses: $10,481,179
  • Paid to professional fundraisers: $1,138,223
  • Percentage of total revenue spent on fundraising:  0.44 percent

Administrative and overhead costs

  • Overhead expenses: $5,152,293
  • Property assets: $3,305,733
  • Investment assets: $16,767,023
  • Paid to officers/directors: $2,899,227
  • Highest paid officer/director: CEO $363,477
  • Percentage of total revenue spent on officers/directors salaries:  0.12 Percent

Who Benefits from Americares?

For many people around the world, access to proper health care and medications is nearly impossible. Each year, Americares provides $600 million worth of care to people who would otherwise have to go without. Their aid reaches dozens of countries in Asia, Africa, North America, and more.

United States

In the US, Americares provides health care and affordable medications to low-income individuals without insurance. They operate four free clinics in Connecticut and provide resources to health centers across the country.

Developing countries

In developing countries where health care is not easily accessible, resources and training are given to workers to help them provide for their communities.

Areas affected by disaster

During emergency situations, Americares helps to ensure that people are still able to access health care. They also help with rebuilding after the crisis has passed.

How Can You Help?

Hold hand

If you wish to provide your help to Americares, there are several ways that you can do so.

Donate money

For many, this is the easiest way to contribute. You can send a donation in the mail, over the phone, or through their website. If you want to contribute regularly, there is an option to set up a monthly donation. Americares provides $20 worth of aid for each dollar they receive.

Donate time

If you live in or near Connecticut and would prefer to contribute your time instead of your money, Americares has opportunities for that as well. Americares works with hundreds of volunteers each year for their Free Clinics program as well as at their Stamford, Connecticut headquarters.

Other Ways To Contribute

Aside from donating your time and money, there are several other options for contributing, including:

  • Using AmazonSmile to donate to Americares when you purchase eligible items, at no extra cost to you
  • Fundraising using Crowdrise
  • Donating an old or unwanted vehicle

Americares Is Dedicated to the Health of the World

Americares believes that every person deserves quality health care, and they work hard to provide it to as many people in need as they can. With the help that they give each year, it is clear that they really stand by what they say. If you are looking for a trustworthy organization that is founded on the desire to help the less fortunate, then you have surely found one in Americares.

Adult Holding the hand

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