Program Overviews
Whether locally or globally, our AAFP Foundation helps those in need. From urgent needs like emergency grant funding during COVID-19 to disaster support for family physicians who have undergone uninsured losses to their medical practices, or on-the-ground aid through our global partner organizations specializing in rapid-response at a time of crisis - the Foundation is there.
In giving to your AAFP Foundation, you are assured that your dollars are going directly to providing family physician crisis support, as well as proper health care, clean water and infection control to devastated areas through our Foundation and partner relief agencies.
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
The AAFP Foundation announced the establishment of its COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to support family physicians and patients as they continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Donors and supporters have reached out to the Foundation, asking how they can help,” said Julie Anderson, MD, president of the AAFP Foundation. “Donations to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund can be designated to support specific Foundation programs or be applied to meet the most pressing needs of family physicians working on the frontlines.”
Those needs, according to Dr. Anderson, are changing as the COVID-19 situation evolves, so flexibility in funding capabilities is vital. One example is telemedicine, which has become essential to protect both patients and physicians from the potential spread of infection through person-to-person contact.
“We want to be prepared to tackle challenges as they arise,” Dr. Anderson said. “We already see a clear need to support and enhance efforts by the AAFP to expand telemedicine services to small, independent and rural practices that lack the resources to implement this important service for patients.”
Money raised through the COVID-19 Emergency Relief fund will enhance the ability of family physicians to provide safe and high-quality care to patients during this pandemic and well into the future.
Disaster Relief: Our Global Partners
Your AAFP Foundation helps those in need at home and around the world. During times of disaster, your Foundation ensures timely and effective aid by working with partner organizations specializing in rapid-response, on-the-ground support.
Disaster Assistance for Family Physicians
Joplin, Mo., Family Physician Clinic After Tornado
The Joplin tornado was a powerful and catastrophic EF5-rated tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri in May of 2011. It was part of a larger late-May tornado outbreak and reached a maximum width of nearly one mile wide during its path through the city. With this disaster and experience, over 1,100 individuals were injured, and was the deadliest tornado to strike the U.S. since the 1947 Glazier-Higgins-Woodwarn tornadoes, with a total of 158 lost lives.
This disaster ranks as the costliest single tornado in U.S. history, and during this time the AAFP Foundation’s Disaster Relief support programs were able to step in to support physician clinics while in crisis.
Catastrophic destruction after a tornado. (Joplin, Mo.)
Destruction to a family medicine clinic after a tornado. (Joplin, Mo.)
The waiting room of a family medicine clinic. (Joplin, Mo.)
Funding Details
Through the Physician Assistance Program grants are awarded to assist in the repair and rebuilding process due to a natural disaster (e.g. hurricane, earthquake, tornado, flooding).
Grant amounts range up to $2,000 and will be reviewed and approved by the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. Grant applications are received throughout the year. If you need assistance, please complete the Physican Assistance Application(2 page PDF) and submit it via email to Annette Routon.
Make A Donation
If you would like to help a family physician in need or support our worldwide relief efforts, please donate in support of the disaster relief & physician assistance program.