COPD Foundation
Take Action Today. Breathe Better Tomorrow.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
As many as 30 million people in the United States are living with COPD. However, it lags behind other conditions in government research funding, public awareness, and patient resources. The COPD Foundation works to bridge that gap through research, advocacy, education, and community programs.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
COPD Patient Powered Research Network
The COPD PPRN is a patient-reported registry that offers an opportunity to participate in survey-based research and provides a platform for patients to learn about additional research opportunities. COPD patients and those at risk for COPD may choose to enroll in the COPD PPRN and complete a baseline survey including measures such as demographics, vitals and disease specifics.
By enabling researchers, patients and clinicians to interact directly and to determine research priorities jointly, the clinical research becomes more patient centered and focuses on their needs. The COPD PPRN also includes an annual longitudinal follow up survey and additional survey opportunities on specific topics including pulmonary rehabilitation and medications.
BRIDGE Project
The BRIDGE project focuses on increasing the voice and inclusion of people with COPD and their caregivers in research. Its goals are:
1) Develop a patient/caregiver prioritized COPD related research agenda
2) Identify and enlarge the number of materials to support COPD patients/caregivers as investigators on research teams
3) Develop draft surveys to assess the impact and success of engaging COPD patients and caregivers as research team members
The BRIDGE project is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) with the hope that the methods and tools developed by this project can be adapted in the future to also serve groups with other chronic conditions.
The Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry
The Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry (BRR) is a consolidated database of non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis and/or NTM patients from 15 clinical institutions across the United States.
The goal of the registry is to support collaborative research and assist in the planning of multi-center clinical trials for the treatment of non-CF bronchiectasis and/or NTM lung disease. As of September 2019, more than 3,300 people have enrolled in the registry.
COPD360Social
COPD360Social is an online social networking community dedicated solely to COPD and is seamlessly integrated with the COPD Foundation website. The platform allows the Foundation to more effectively engage our target audience and gain a deeper understanding of the ever-changing needs and interests of our community. Members include individuals affected by COPD including patients, family members, caregivers, friends, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
BronchandNTM360Social
BronchandNTM360social is an online community for individuals affected by Bronchiectasis and/or NTM, including patients, family members, caregivers, physicians and other healthcare providers. It serves as an online home for these communities and provides a comfortable venue to share thoughts and ideas, ask questions, start discussions, read and comment on blogs, and communicate with peers, thought leaders and community managers.
BronchandNTM360social has been used to collect patient feedback on research priorities and preferences for treatment, for patient recruitment, and for market research.
Where we work
Awards
Standards of Excellence Certification 2013
National Health Council
External reviews

Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The COPD Foundation's goals are to prevent and cure COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, and improve the lives of people affected by these diseases. The organization seeks to speed innovations that will make treatments more effective and affordable, undertake initiatives that result in expanded services for patients, and improve the lives of patients with COPD and related disorders through research, education, prevention, advocacy, and ultimately, a cure.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Foundation executes numerous education, advocacy, and research programs that serve patient, caregiver, and health care provider populations. Such programs include the COPD Information Line, the COPD Patient-Powered Research Network (PPRN), the COPD Biomarker Qualification Consortium (CBQC), the COPDGene Study, and our free educational publications: COPD Digest, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, and our library booklets, flyers, and tools.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The COPD Foundation has cultivated partnerships across the U.S. and abroad to help support and implement its programs. Its online presence and development of COPD360social unifies these efforts and increases its scope. Its staff and board have possess various backgrounds with high levels in expertise including respiratory therapy, medicine, bio-tech, research, marketing, IT, advocacy, and education.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We established ourselves as the first public health Foundation solely dedicated to COPD. It is a 'one-stop-shop' for all issues related to COPD, from both patient and provider perspectives. We have successfully created a dynamic platform that connects patients with experts in the field, provides education and emotional support – essentially streamlining Foundation's work into a digital space. We have yet to diagnose the 15 million individuals living with COPD unknowingly, we are advocating for increased research dollars to find a cure for COPD.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
COPD Foundation
Board of directorsas of 06/09/2023
Dr. James Crapo
National Jewish Health Denver
Richard Casaburi
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Stew Cogan
Valerie Chang
Hawaii COPD Coalition
Leonard Fromer
Turner Impact Capital / The Kinetix Group
Donald Gray
MeiLan K. Han
University of Michigan Health System
Risa Stack
RA Capital
Byron M. Thomashow
Columbia University Medical Center / New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Wayne E. Withers
Withers Worldwide
Jean Wright
Atrium Health
Herbert Yardley
Yardley Car Company
Mark Dransfield
University of Alabama at Birmingham Lung Health Center / Birmingham VA Medical Center
Mike Rogers
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No