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International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery Isass

EIN 13-4177240 · Wheaton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The organization serves as a scientific, and educational society that provides a forum for discussion and understanding of all aspects of basic and clinical science and other fundamental topics to restore and improve motion and function of the spine.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, 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. $1.1 million spent. EDUCATIONAL MEDICAL CONFERENCES AND COURSES TO FACILITATE INFORMATION EXCHANGE RELATING TO ADVANCEMENTS IN SPINAL SURGERY
  2. $185,851 spent. THE SOCIETY PUBLISHES THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPINE SURGERY TO PROMOTE AND DISSEMINATE ONLINE THE MOST UP-TO DATE SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH REGARDING INNOVATIONS IN SPINAL SURGERY RESULTING IN THE PRESERVATION OF MOTION AND NEW TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES IN SPINAL SURGERY, INCLUDING BASIC SCIENCE, BIOLOGICS AND TISSUE ENGINEERING
  3. $32,284 spent. ADVOCACY: ISASS HOLDS A SEAT ON THE AMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF SPINE SURGERY INCLUDING FAIR PRICING STRUCTURES FOR THE INDUSTRY AND COVERAGE DECISIONS FROM CRITICAL ADVISORY ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO PATIENT CARE. ISASS HAS PUBLISHED NUMEROUS COVERAGE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH HAVE POSITIVELY AFFECTED COVERAGE OF SPINAL PROCEDURES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.