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American Orthopaedic Association

EIN 13-6118458 · Rosemont, IL

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

ENGAGING THE ORTHOPAEDIC COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP LEADERS, STRATEGIES, AND RESOURCES TO GUIDE THE FUTURE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
17.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
22
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$514,201, 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 83% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (8)
  1. $534,951 spent. ANNUAL MEETING - MEMBERS ATTEND VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS OF CURRENT ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, INDUSTRY SPONSORSHIPS OF $69,000 AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $26,500 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT ORTHOPAEDIC CRITICAL ISSUES ADDRESSED AT THIS PROGRAM.
  2. $432,382 spent. OWN THE BONE IS A WEB-BASED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS' BONE HEALTH AFTER SUFFERING FRAGILITY FRACTURES. ADDITIONALLY, INDUSTRY GRANTS OF $167,534 AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $16,710 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
  3. $286,989 spent. THE AOA OFFERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS TO ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS INCLUDING APEX: IN 2024, AOA COLLABORATED WITH USC TO OFFER 2, MULTI-DAY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY. ADDITIONALLY, INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $19,400 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
  4. $364,422 spent. ACADEMICS IS COMPRISED OF THE CORD/ACADEMICS COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL ON ORTHOPAEDIC RESIDENCY DIRECTORS, AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED TO THIS AREA RELATED TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONALLY, INDUSTRY SPONSORSHIPS OF $35,000 AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $177,973 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS.
  5. $134,927 spent. RESIDENT LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES - INDUSTRY SPONSORSHIPS OF $25,0000 AND INDIDIVUDAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $22,750 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENT LEADERSHIP FORUM.
  6. $112,329 spent. TRAVELING FELLOWSHIPS RECOGNIZES YOUNG LEADERS FOR THEIR EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORTHOPAEDICS, IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO THE BROADER ORTHOPAEDIC COMMUNITY. INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $122,164 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
  7. $102,700 spent. EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES YOUNG LEADERS FOR THEIR EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORTHOPAEDICS, IDENTIFIES, DEVELOPS AND PROMOTES THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO THE BROADER ORTHOPAEDIC COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL GROWTH AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION. INDUSTRY GRANTS OF $5,000 AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $156,217 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
  8. $1.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - INDUSTRY GRANTS OF $13,127 AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $384,028 WERE RECEIVED TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS.

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 November 1937.

    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.