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The Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has separated from its national parent to become Alzheimer’s New Jersey in order to maintain operational independence and keep fundraising dollars in the state.The Chicago-based national board of directors voted in October to restructure into a single entity, forcing chapters like New Jersey’s to relinquish their 501(c)(3)independence and become an arm of the national organization.

“Over the past 10 years, while we have supported the incremental policy changes instituted by the national association, it has become more challenging for us to maintain what we believe to be an acceptable and deserved level of local focus,” Alzheimer’s New Jersey board Chair Kathleen Dugan said in a statement.

Kenneth Zaentz, CEO and president of Alzheimer’s New Jersey, said that as an independent nonprofit, Alzheimer’s New Jersey will now be able to ensure that 100 percent of the dollars raised remains in New Jersey, rather than sending a portion of local funds out of state, as the organization had to in the past.

Previously, about 40 percent of the funding would return to the national organization, so the additional funds can help maintain and assess current programs.

“We want to ensure that dollars — made possible by generous area individuals, families, foundations, companies and countless volunteers — will directly benefit local families as well as the most promising research. New Jersey’s outstanding support along with the backing of our local media makes a huge difference,” Zaentz said.

The philanthropic climate in New Jersey is very positive, and people are generous, so knowing that the dollars are staying in New Jersey will resonate with funders, he added.

Dugan said the state’s board of directors felt current programs stood a chance of ceasing to exist under the national umbrella, so in order to continue to support grassroots level efforts, the move to separate was made in November.

The new Alzheimer’s New Jersey, based in Denville, will continue to serve, uninterrupted, the more than 500,000 individuals in the state who have or care for those with Alzheimer’s.

The board of the New Jersey chapter took 10 months to deliberate and discuss the move, and analyzed the effect of a break off from other states around the U.S. that also disaffiliated from the national organization.