Founded in 1955 as the research, education, and charitable affiliate of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Foundation complements the work of ANA, the largest nursing organization in America, by raising funds and developing and managing grants to support advances in research, education, and clinical practice. Through ANA's network of 54 Constituent Member Associations and their individual members, Foundation programs benefit nurses and consumers wherever nurses practice. The mission of the Foundation is to promote the health of the public and advance the nursing profession. ANF accomplishes its mission through three major functions: nursing research grants, extramural projects/grants, and fundraising.
The most longstanding of the Foundation's many activities is the nursing research grants program. This annual competition provides funding for beginning and experienced nurse researchers in both clinical and academic settings. Since the first grants were awarded in 1955, more than 950 nurse researchers have benefited from more than $3.5 million in grants. Countless patients, hospital administrators, and consumers have benefited from the research of ANF Scholars who continue to impact health outcomes, improve the processes of the delivery of care, and enhance the quality of work life for nurses.
ANF has been the overseer for several years of grants/contracts which have been funded externally. Some of the grants have been awarded to ANA and managed through ANF while others have been awarded directly to ANF. Funding has been received from private foundations such as W. K. Kellogg for a community coalition-building project and Robert Wood Johnson for smoking cessation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent School Health, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are examples of federal funding received by ANA/ANF. Projects focus on nurse staffing, workplace health and safety, continuing competency, and patient safety, and health.
An organization such as ANF must rely on the continued generosity of its donors to achieve and expand upon its mission and goals. ANF supporters include individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies. The ANF Board of Trustees has renewed its commitment to fundraising This will enable ANF to play a more active role in meeting the needs of nurses.