The fourth pillar of the 50K goal is to drive innovation and research to increase donation and maximize transplantation.
AOPO Foundation
The AOPO Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to advancing research and innovation in organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Through its efforts, the Foundation supports the development of new knowledge and practices to further the mission of saving lives. In 2024, the Foundation opened it’s first grant cycle to fund impactful research initiatives.
OPO Validated Metrics Project
In March 2025, AOPO partnered with Econometrica, Inc. to launch the Organ Procurement Organization Performance Measurement Project. The project aims to support AOPO in meeting the urgent need to develop new or alternative measures for submission to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These measures will help promote transparency, strengthen accountability, and support continuous improvement across OPOs.
OPO Data Project
AOPO is partnering with the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) to strengthen early-stage donor identification and improve data collection throughout the donation process. This collaboration will enhance system performance by refining definitions, improving data capture, and supporting ongoing quality improvement efforts. HHRI will develop a comprehensive data collection tool and national data repository, and provide implementation, maintenance, and continued analytics support.
AOPO DCD Guidelines & NRP Safeguards
Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) has become a cornerstone of modern transplantation and now accounts for approximately half of all organ donors nationwide. As DCD and normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) activity continue to grow and evolve, it is essential that core ethical, clinical, and legal standards are consistently upheld to preserve donor dignity, protect families, ensure compliance with hospital policy, and maintain public trust in the transplant system.
The AOPO DCD Task Force worked to develop the following guidelines and safeguards to prioritize patient safety, donor dignity, clear communication with the healthcare team and Legal Next of Kin/Donor’s Agent, adherence to hospital policy, and responsible stewardship of organs while allowing thoughtful flexibility based on donor presentation, clinical judgment, and institutional practice.
Industry Partners
AOPO partners with 20 Industry Partners that are diligently working to innovate and create new opportunities for technological advancements in enhancing the referral process, improving OPO team communications, preserving the quality of organs for transplantation, and expediting organ transportation services.