Dementia Together
Living well with dementia
Dementia Together
EIN: 81-4275360
as of November 2023
as of November 13, 2023
Mission
To create communities in which no one walking the dementia journey has to walk alone.
Notes from the nonprofit
Our MISSION To create communities in which no one has to walk the dementia journey alone. Our VISION “Living well with dementia” is the expectation, not the exception. Our VALUES Excellence, integrity, kindness, courage, humility, trust, and joy Our PILLARS Education Enrichment Hope Our MESSAGING The dementia journey can be overwhelming, but no one has to walk it alone. At DEMENTIA TOGETHER, we cultivate joy while building stronger connections for those living with dementia, their care partners, and the community. Through education and enrichment, we make living well with dementia the expectation, not the exception. We lead and support innovative efforts to enhance well-being and hope. For our friends living with dementia, their hope may not be in a future cure. It's in the current care. We are an "in the meantime" organization. "In the meantime," until cures for the various causes of dementia are found, we help people care well so those living with dementia can live well.
Ruling year
2017
Executive Director
Cyndy Luzinski
Main address
4025 Automation Way, Ste F2
Fort Collins, CO 80525 USA
EIN
81-4275360
Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia
Senior services
Population served
Older adults
Seniors
NTEE code
Senior Centers/Services (P81)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reports Download other documentsWhat we aim to solve
5-7 million people are living with some form of dementia, a number expected to rise with our aging population. Almost 1 in 4 people in the work force serve as caregivers for loved ones. Even before the pandemic, two-thirds of care partners reported suffering with depression. Care partners for people living with dementia are twice as likely as other care partners to experience depression. The US is investing >$2 billion in treatments and "cures" for dementia. Very little is spent nationally or locally on "in the meantime" approaches for combating the unnecessary stigma and fear of dementia and the social isolation that occurs with any dementia-related diagnosis. The education, enrichment, and hope we provide to individuals and the community is often described as life-changing. The tragedy narrative around dementia needs to be challenged, and is challenged as we help people discover there is a lot of living to do and joy to be shared even when dementia is part of the life journey.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Memory Cafe
Memory Cafés are social gatherings for people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment AND their care partners who want to remain engaged with others traveling the dementia journey. Memory Cafés show that there is a lot of joyful living to do even when dementia is part of the journey.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
BBB 2019
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsTotal number of classes offered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Caregivers, Emergency responders
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Caregivers, Widows and widowers
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants attending course/session/workshop
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Caregivers, Emergency responders
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients who self-report increased skills/knowledge after educational program/intervention
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors, Older adults, Caregivers
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
98-99% of clients have reported increased knowledge after participating in our education.
Number of participants counseled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Older adults, Seniors
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Young adults, Caregivers, Widows and widowers
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants who would recommend program to others
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Caregivers, Widows and widowers
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
100% of our participants report they would recommend our program(s) to others.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Caregivers
Related Program
Memory Cafe
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Caregivers
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Starting in early 2020, during the pandemic and lockdown we started buying meals from local restaurants and volunteers handed them out to our participants to let them know they are not forgotten.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn 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?
PUBLIC MESSAGING
The dementia journey can be overwhelming, but no one has to walk it alone. At DEMENTIA TOGETHER, we cultivate joy while building stronger connections for those living with dementia, their care partners, and the community. Through education and enrichment, we make living well with dementia the expectation, not the exception. We lead and support innovative efforts to enhance well-being and hope.
GOALS
• To listen to the experts (the people living with dementia.)
• To increase dementia awareness in the community
• To provide life enrichment opportunities for people living with dementia and their care partners
• To provide care partner support and education
• To work with others to eliminate the stigma around dementia
• To work with others in our community to promote a high standard of dementia care
• To empower those who give care to realize how powerfully their interactions impact contentment and lifelong well-being for those living with dementia
Actual measurable goals are included in the LOGIC model evaluation which we are in the process of completing and are not publishing in detail until completed. In the meantime, a summary of recent evidence-based research is included in the GuideStar documentation as is our 2021 annual report. In 2022, we have served over 1700 people with more than 700 educational and life enrichment sessions, receiving consistent survey responses that our programming offers relief, hope, and a sense of connection for people living with dementia, their care partners, and those in the community who are learning that living well with dementia is entirely possible. Together we are changing the narrative of dementia from tragedy to contentment.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Provide education for care partners, professionals, community members using the Contented Dementia framework, a simple, person-centered, family-driven disability management model out of the UK which helps people work positively with the dementia and enables those experiencing dementia and their care partners to live well. This education results in reported confidence and well-being for participants and ultimately leads to culture change of the narrative around dementia from one of tragedy to one of contentment.
Provide life enrichment opportunities which result in a sense of connection, community engagement, discovery that joy is still possible even with a dementia-related diagnosis, and hope that as anyone interacting with someone living with dementia, we can make a difference and positive impact for anyone on the dementia journey.
We do not charge for any of our programming so that cost is not a barrier to finding connection and support. We rely on private donations, corporate sponsors, and grants to enable us to sustain and grow our programming to meet the needs.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a dedicated staff of 4, contracted positions for strategic infrastructure and innovative operations management, an engaged board of 11, a collaborative, supportive community, with relationships that continue to grow as our impact grows to make "living well with dementia" the expectation, not the exception. Our revenue sources continue to expand and we benefit from diverse funding from private donors, corporate sponsors, and grants and foundations.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We participate in evidence-based research related the Contented Dementia education we provide. We have served over 1700 people with more than 700 gatherings (education and enrichment--in-person and online) including Contented Dementia classes, workshops, support groups, and consultations, memory cafes, mobile memory cafes in care communities, social luncheons, and SPECAL (pronounced "speckle") Sports (pool, golf, and bowling). We provided 300 patient resource folders in Northern CO to family medicine, internal medicine, and neurology medical providers to share with patients being assessed for cognitive changes. This has resulted in new people showing up to our programs each week due to hearing about us at their medical appointments. We also continue to expand our outreach and awareness within our communities locally and in 31 states online.
We are strategically and methodically developing more rigorous evaluation mechanisms and growing our staff in order to expand programming to meet the demand for our services. We see nothing but growth and potential for growth and will continue as an "in the meantime" collaborative organization offering tangible hope, practical strategies, and joyful connection for all of our participants.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2022 info
55.95
Months of cash in 2022 info
7.1
Fringe rate in 2022 info
10%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
Dementia Together
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
This snapshot of Dementia Together’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
Created in partnership with
Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $12,965 | $32,138 | $36,505 | $95,486 |
| As % of expenses | 10.3% | 16.6% | 13.3% | 27.3% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $12,965 | $32,138 | $36,505 | $95,486 |
| As % of expenses | 10.3% | 16.6% | 13.3% | 27.3% |
| Revenue composition info | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $128,692 | $250,338 | $380,798 | $349,731 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 94.5% | 52.1% | -8.2% |
| Program services revenue | 9.8% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Government grants | 0.0% | 10.8% | 3.8% | 1.3% |
| All other grants and contributions | 90.2% | 88.5% | 96.2% | 98.6% |
| Other revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Expense composition info | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $125,727 | $193,200 | $274,293 | $349,245 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 53.7% | 42.0% | 27.3% |
| Personnel | 47.7% | 56.3% | 58.9% | 62.0% |
| Professional fees | 22.7% | 13.3% | 11.3% | 3.0% |
| Occupancy | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other expenses | 29.6% | 30.3% | 29.7% | 35.1% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $125,727 | $193,200 | $274,293 | $349,245 |
| One month of savings | $10,477 | $16,100 | $22,858 | $29,104 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $136,204 | $209,300 | $297,151 | $378,349 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 4.7 | 6.6 | 9.2 | 7.1 |
| Months of cash and investments | 4.7 | 6.6 | 9.3 | 7.2 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 7.3 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $49,434 | $106,572 | $211,104 | $206,323 |
| Investments | $0 | $0 | $1,973 | $1,807 |
| Receivables | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.7% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $49,434 | $81,572 | $118,077 | $213,563 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $0 | $25,000 | $95,000 | $0 |
| Total net assets | $49,434 | $106,572 | $213,077 | $213,563 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Executive Director
Cyndy Luzinski
Cyndy, founder and executive director of Dementia Together, is an advanced practice nurse, certified dementia practitioner, and the first accredited SPECAL® Practitioner in North America as credentialed by the Contented Dementia Trust in Burford, England.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
Dementia Together
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Dementia Together
Board of directorsas of 08/25/2023
Board of directors data
Elisabeth Olson
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? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
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? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 11/07/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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