The first 10,000 people to contribute at least $10 will have their name included on the Community Wall at APTA’s new headquarters.

The first 10,000 people to contribute at least $10 will have their name included on the Community Wall at APTA’s new headquarters.

APTA’s centennial is fewer than nine months away, but already the association is building a foundation for its next 100 years.

Today, APTA opened online donations for the Campaign for Future Generations, a two-year fundraising initiative to support the association’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The campaign aligns with the association’s current strategic plan, which includes a goal to foster the long-term sustainability of the profession by making APTA an inclusive organization that reflects the diversity of the society the profession serves.

APTA has a long history of providing support to PT and PTA students and faculty of ethnic and racial minorities through the Minority Scholarship Fund, which is included in the campaign. In addition, the Dimensions of Diversity Fund has been established to support additional DEI initiatives, as approved by APTA’s Board of Directors. Unrestricted donations made to the association’s Physical Therapy Fund also would support the Dimensions of Diversity Fund or the Minority Scholarship Fund, as needed.

APTA will also donate any net proceeds from its centennial year events and activities to support the Campaign for Future Generations.

“As we think about the profession and association we want to be in our next century, we have to be intentional about DEI,” said APTA President Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD. “It was important to our board that we use our centennial year to establish a legacy gift that will support the stewardship of our association and profession.”

APTA is already expanding its efforts on DEI. For example, last year APTA conducted or attended 25 recruitment events, reaching over 10,000 students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors to improve pipelines to the profession. APTA also is advocating for the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act, which creates a scholarship program for individuals from underrepresented populations for the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology.

DEI was also a theme of President Dunn’s 2018 and 2019 annual addresses to the House of Delegates.

What you can do:

• Donate to the Campaign for Future Generations.
• Ask questions or send feedback about APTA’s DEI efforts to dei@apta.org.
• Explore other APTA centennial activities.