The CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust is dedicated to raising funds to provide seed money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimer’s disease.
The goal is to encourage exploratory and developmental Alzheimer's Disease research projects within the United States. This is accomplished by providing financial support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research.
For just one example of CART's impact, check out this video on a 2024 recipient of the Dr. Roger Ackerman Memorial Grant. Dr. Ana Griciuc from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School received $300,000 to focus on a gene called CD33. VIDEO
CART started in one South Carolina Rotary club in District 7770 in 1995 by a Rotarian named Roger Ackerman (Sumter, SC). It has been adopted by more than 20 Rotary districts in the United States. CART Fund by-laws require that 100% of all donated funds must go to research.
From the beginning, CART has been a novel fundraising program. Traditionally, Rotarians are encouraged to voluntarily add their coins and change to the CART bucket whenever they attend a Rotary meeting. Now, Rotarians and others can make contributions online. While the name CART suggest coins only, they also welcome contributions of currency, checks or via credit cards. As of May 2020, more than $9.2 million in grants have been awarded to 55 different research institutions.
CART is currently supported by Rotarians in Rotary Districts: 6900, 6910, 6920, 6930, 6940, 6950, 6960, 6970, 6980, 6990, 7570, 7670, 7680, 7690, 7710, 7720, 7730, 7750 and 7770 within the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Florida.
Rotary E-Club of the Carolinas has been proud to support CART for many years. Here is a record of our contribution history:
- 2023-24 $1,818.40 (140% of our goal)
- 2022-23 $ 2,155.64
- 2021-22 $ 2,304.00
- 2020-21 $ 2,023.83
- 2029-20 $ 2,138.50
- 2018-19 $ 3,355.38
For the most up to date information on CART, visit their website at https://www.cartfund.org/. To make your gift to CART on their website, look for the tab labeled "Donate Today".
