The Fund / Donate
YOU Are Part of the Cure
The Jim Heller End ALS Memorial Fund was created in mid-2020 to give family, friends, and supporters a meaningful way to honor Jim’s life. The Fund is held and managed by a community foundation with full 501(c)(3) status. As a donor, this matters because:
Your gift is tax-deductible, and
Your donation is professionally managed and responsibly distributed. As Advisor to the Fund, I do not have access to the money; I may only recommend grants to qualified organizations that also hold 501(c)(3) status.
Since the Fund began, I’ve worked hard to understand the ALS landscape and ensure that every dollar supports the most promising research, the most effective programs, and the people living with this devastating disease. Together, we have raised over $1.2 million and granted approximately $1.15 million to leading efforts focused on finding a cure, supporting patients, and driving awareness.
The Fund is committed to full transparency.
I will always make our grant allocations available for donors to review. Below is the current distribution of funds:
Total Raised to Date $1,205,376
Research & Drug Development $1,017,250
Advocacy & Awareness $62,500
Patient Equipment $61,500
Admin/Chg in Invest. $8,723
Updated 12/3/25. For current stats visit https://www.givemn.org/story/Jimheller
Donation Options
While I assume most will use this online giving option, the Fund will also be able to accept checks, stocks, real estate, etc., which can also be part of your tax or estate planning strategy. If you are sending a check from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF), please address the check to "The Jim Heller 'End ALS' Memorial Fund", and add "St. Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation" in the memo line.
Please mail to:
St. Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation
ATTN: Aurea Gerard
370 Wabasha Street North
Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55102
If you have questions, Aurea can also be reached at aurea.gerard@spmcf.org or 651.325.4266.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of the cure.
We are in this together. We must find better treatments—and ultimately a cure—for this 100% fatal disease. No one should have to live or die this way.