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Foundation for Advancement of Spinal Knowledge

EIN 20-1628324 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SPINAL KNOWLEDGE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2004 AT ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. WE CLOSELY WORK WITH ACTIVE SPINE SURGEONS AT THE TWIN CITIES SPINE CENTER. WE ARE PURSUING BIOMECHANICAL RESEARCH FOR BETTER TREATMENT OF VARIOUS SPINAL DISEASES. THE FOUNDATION HAS A BIOMECHANICS LAB EQUIPPED WITH ADVANCED SPINE TESTING MACHINES AND DEDICATED TO THE SPINE RESEARCH PROGRAM. OUR MISSION IS TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOR THE PROGRESS OF SPINAL KNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS. RESEARCH: CONCENTRATE RESEARCH EFFORTS ON THE BASIC SCIENCE (BIOMECHANICAL, CELLULAR, AND MOLECULAR) OF SPINES TO CHALLENGE CURRENT ASSUMPTIONS,VALIDATE NEW FINDINGS, AND TEST THEIR SAFETY, EFFICACY, AND UTILITY. EDUCATION: GLOBALLY COMMUNICATE NEW TECHNIQUE VIA PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCES, AND TRAINING. PATIENT CARE: DEVELOP A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE IN CLINICAL CARE OF PATIENTS. MEDICAL INSTRU

Income
$37,834
Spending
$49,705
Reserves
-19.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%

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

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. $47,963 spent. ENGAGE IN BASIC SCIENCE STUDIES IN THE AREAS OF BIOMECHANICS, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2025.

    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 March 2005.

    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.