The National Hydrocephalus Foundation (NHF) was incorporated in the state of Illinois in 1979 as a voluntary, not-for-profit, 501 C (3), public service organization. The objectives of NHF are:

• To assemble and disseminate information pertaining to hydrocephalus, its treatments and outcomes
• To establish and facilitate a communication network among affected families and individuals
• To help others gain a deeper understanding of those areas affected by hydrocephalus, such as education, insurance, tax and estate planning, employment and family
• To increase public awareness and knowledge of hydrocephalus
• To promote and support research on the causes, treatment and prevention of hydrocephalus

In addition to providing the public with informational brochures, NHF offers a variety of help guides, maintains a reference library, videos/CD's on hydrocephalus, has support groups, will assist others in starting an NHF support group in their area, and publishes a quarterly newsletter, Life~Line.