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Orthocarolina Research Institute Inc

EIN 01-0648145 · Charlotte, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORTHOCAROLINA RESEARCH INSTITUTE (OCRI) IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 THAT EXISTS TO FACILITATE RELEVANT ORTHOPEDIC RESEARCH WHICH ADVANCES ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENTS, IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS, AND EDUCATES THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$181,466, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE INSTITUTE'S MISSION AND PRIORITIES ARE CENTRALLY FOCUSED ON (1) IMPROVED ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT CARE AND (2) HIGH QUALITY EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH TO DEVELOP NEW AND INNOVATIVE ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGIES WHOSE GOAL IS TO ANSWER CLINICAL QUESTIONS FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES. THE INSTITUTE LEADS ONGOING FDA-REGULATED CLINICAL TRIALS AND INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED SCIENTIFIC ACADEMIC STUDIES. RESEARCH IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS WITH GREATER THAN 85 PUBLICATIONS ANNUALLY.
  2. $88,957 spent. THE INSTITUTE'S MISSION IS FOCUSED ON ADVANCING BOTH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN ORTHOPEDICS. THE ORTHOCAROLINA RESEARCH INSTITUTE HOSTS AN EDUCATIONAL CME (CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION) SYMPOSIUM, KNOWN AS OSCAR MILLER DAY, FOR 350-400 ORTHOPEDIC PROVIDERS AND ALLIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS EACH YEAR. THIS SYMPOSIUM IS OVER 40 YEARS OLD AND IS MARKETED TO THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. TOPICS ARE ROTATED ANNUALLY.
  3. $5,167 spent. ARMS FOR ALL IS A PROGRAM UNDER OCRI THAT COVERS THE GAP EXPENSE BETWEEN WHAT INSURANCE WILL COVER AND WHAT IS THE BEST PROSTHETIC FOR IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE LOST A LIMB.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.