The American Nurses Foundation 1955–2005, celebrating 50 years of promoting the public health and advancing the nursing profession

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The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) is proud to announce 2005 as our Golden Year! From our new offices located in Silver Spring, Maryland, the festive plans are underway, including “50 Wishes for Your Nursing Dreams” at the 4 Research Society meetings this year in Atlanta, Cincinnati, San Francisco, New York, and at the American Nurses Association (ANA) House of Delegates in Washington, DC. And, ANF has much to celebrate.

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 53 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 3 major functions: nursing research grants, extramural projects/grants, and fundraising.

The most long-standing 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 900 nurse researchers have benefited from over $3 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. In 2004, ANF’s Board of Trustees again confirmed their support of this successful and evolving program by awarding 20 new grants to nurse researchers around the country. The Board also invites all nurse researchers to visit the ANF Website, www.ANFonline.org, or phone the office, 301-628-5298, to receive the 2005 NRG Applications. The 2005 application deadline is May 2, 2005.

ANF also has been the solicitor and manager 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.

Not-for-profit organizations such as ANF must rely on the continued generosity of tax-deductible contributions to achieve and expand upon its mission and goals. American Nurses Foundation supporters include individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. The ANF Board of Trustees has renewed its commitment to fundraising in 2005; vital fundraising that will enable ANF to play a more active role in meeting the needs of nurses. Join ANF as we celebrate 50 years of education and research programs that promote public health and advance the nursing profession. Visit our Website at www.ANFonline.org for anniversary events and activities.

American Nurses Foundation Securing nursing’s legacy…supporting nursing’s future.