Our Mission
To advance awareness, education, and equitable care for individuals and families impacted by dementia, with a focus on Lewy body and Parkinson’s-related dementia in underrepresented and global communities.
Our Vision
A future where every person, regardless of background or income — has access to compassionate, culturally competent dementia care and resources that preserve dignity and inspire hope.
We Believe in The Power of compassion, education, and community to transform lives and honor every story with dignity.
About Polly Foundation
The Polly Foundation was born from love, loss, and an unshakable will to create lasting change. Named for Valerie “Polly” Allen, a devoted mother, gifted dressmaker, and deeply compassionate spirit, the foundation honors a woman who brought beauty, dignity, and comfort into every life she touched.
A true nurturer, Polly welcomed children into her home, offering not only shelter but dignity, stability, and unconditional love.
In her final years, she bravely faced Lewy body dementia, a complex and often misunderstood neurodegenerative disease. Her family saw firsthand the emotional, financial, and systemic burdens it places on loved ones. That experience became the catalyst for the Polly Foundation’s mission: to ensure no family walks this path alone.
Polly’s daughter, who had been building her own fashion brand, stepped away from her creative career to focus on public health and epidemiological research, driven by the urgent need to understand the disease that had reshaped her family’s life. She is now training in epidemiology and biostatistics, working to advance scientific research, strengthen systems of care, and confront the structural inequities that leave so many families without support. Her work rests on a simple belief: data can save lives, but only when paired with compassion, community, and access.
Through this dual lens of science and lived experience, she envisions a global movement that delivers culturally competent education, training, and memory care to underserved and high-risk populations. Guided by this vision, the Polly Foundation is building bridges between personal experience and systemic change, through research, education, and advocacy, to rewrite the story of dementia for the communities too often left behind.
Because memory matters, and so does the future we create in its name.
Behind the Gala
The Polly Foundation’s inaugural gala, A Night to Remember, is more than an evening of elegance, it’s the launch of a movement.
This first-ever event brings together community leaders, medical professionals, caregivers, and advocates to raise critical funds for dementia education, physician training, and equitable memory care. Every dollar raised helps us train doctors, support families, and build long-term solutions for communities disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, and related conditions.
Join us as we honor the life of Valerie “Polly” Allen, whose story inspired this mission and help us light the way toward dignity, healing, and hope for generations to come.
Join Our Cause
Everything You Need to Know About the Big Night
When
April 17th, 2026
Friday evening
From 6:00pm, Until 10:00pm
Join us for an unforgettable evening of purpose, elegance, and remembrance as we unveil The Polly Foundation’s mission to transform dementia care for underserved communities.
Guests will experience a curated night of inspiration and impact featuring a cocktail reception, a three-course dinner, live music, a moving tribute to Valerie “Polly” Allen, and stories from the front lines of dementia care and education.
The evening will also include a paddle raise, silent auction, and the introduction of our first medical fellows and community health partners.
This event marks the official launch of The Polly Foundation’s commitment to advancing equitable access to Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson’s-related dementia care through education, training, and legacy-driven community programs.
One Act.
Endless Impact.
Your generosity fuels hope, transforms futures, and strengthens the communities we serve.
The Polly Foundation is dedicated to bringing hope, resources, and opportunity to the communities we serve. From improving access to care and education to creating programs that uplift and empower, our mission is to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
Your gift today helps us lay the groundwork for these initiatives and ensures we can move quickly to serve where the need is greatest.
You’ll complete your gift securely on Network for Good.
The Impact We Make
Join Us to Celebrate and Fund Essential Programs That Transform Lives and Create Lasting Impact
The Polly Foundation centers its work around five core pillars:
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Awareness & Advocacy
We raise public understanding about Lewy body dementia and related conditions through digital campaigns, storytelling, and culturally responsive education. -
Support for Families & Caregivers
We provide resources, toolkits, and emotional support for caregivers — the unsung heroes who need as much care as those they serve. -
Medical Education & Training
We fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in neurology, geriatrics, and memory care, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. We also sponsor continuing medical education (CME) for providers. -
Global Health Equity
We partner with healthcare organizations in low-resource countries to provide training, supplies, and long-term medical education. -
Research & Innovation
We are committed to supporting community-informed research that explores disparities in dementia care and drives solutions through innovation.
Grateful for Our Incredible Sponsors
List coming soon!