Fundraising


What is the AMA Foundation?

The AMA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the AMA. Since 1950, the Foundation has distributed $80 million in gifts to medical schools; guaranteed over $96 million in loans that have benefited more than 40,000 medical students, interns, and residents; and supported numerous research projects through its grants program.

What role does the AMA Alliance play in the AMA Foundation?

The AMA Alliance raises a vast majority - approximately 93 percent - of all AMA Foundation funds. Since 1952, the Alliance has been deeply committed to fund-raising for the foundation and its success lies in its effective grass roots fund-raising efforts. Alliances on the state and county level organize various fund raisers that contribute more than $1 million annually to the foundation.
 

AMA Foundation Scholarship Opportunities 

As the cost of medical education continues to increase, financial assistance for medical students is more important than ever. Medical students graduate with an average debt of over $130,000.  Financial issues not only add stress to medical students' lives, they can also affect students' specialty choices and career decisions.  Aiming to alleviate these pressures, the AMA Foundation and the AMA Alliance have a long history of supporting young men and women who aspire to become physicians. 

The AMA Foundation's 2008 scholarship opportunities are:

  • The Minority Scholars Award  - Ten $10,000 scholarships are awarded to first or second year medical students. Deadline:  April 15, 2008
  • The Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships - Thirteen $10,000 scholarships are awarded to rising seniors.  Deadline:  May 30, 2008
  • The Arthur N. Wilson, MD Scholarship - One $5000 scholarship is awarded to a medical student who grew up in Southeast Alaska.  Deadline:  June 16, 2008
  • The Scholars Fund -  Funds are collected for each medical school to distribute to deserving students.  Deadline:  July 1, 2008


In January, the AMA Foundation sends scholarship information packets to all U.S. accredited medical schools and osteopathic schools.  Within each school, the Foundation sends the information to the offices of the dean, student affairs, multicultural affairs and financial aid.  Email reminders to each school follow the mailing.

Each Dean or Dean's designate can nominate students for the Minority Scholars Award and the Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship.  The Foundation organizes selection committees to determine the recipients of these scholarships.  For the Scholars Fund Award, the school chooses the recipients and sends the names of the recipients to the Foundation.  The Foundation then sends the school their funds.  Students can apply directly to the Foundation for the Arthur N. Wilson, MD, Scholarship.