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Scoliosis Research Society

EIN 23-7181863 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE SCOLIOSIS RESEARCH SOCIETY IS TO FOSTER THE OPTIMAL CARE OF ALL PATIENTS WITH SPINAL DEFORMITIES.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
35.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$40,000, past president

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: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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 (4)
  1. $999,893 spent. IMAST (INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON ADVANCED SPINE TECHNIQUES) PROVIDES AN INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC FORUM FOR SPINE PROFESSIONALS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON EMERGING NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES. SPINE SURGEONS AND OTHER ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FROM AROUND THE WORLD DISCUSS, DEBATE, AND DEMONSTRATE RECENT ADVANCES IN SPINE SURGERY.
  2. $1.7 million spent. THE ANNUAL MEETING AND COURSE IS A FORUM FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE SOCIETY'S MISSION AND GOALS, THE IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENT CARE FOR THOSE WITH SPINAL DEFORMITIES. PRESENTATIONS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING & COURSE ARE GIVEN BY LEADING EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND HAVE VALUE FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO TREAT SPINAL DEFORMITIES AT ALL LEVELS AND IN ALL AGES. OVER 100 PAPERS ARE PRESENTED ON AN ARRAY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS, GROWING SPINE, KYPHOSIS, ADULT DEFORMITY, TRAUMA, NEUROMUSCULAR SCOLIOSIS AND TUMORS.
  3. $296,886 spent. SPINE DEFORMITY SOLUTIONS: A HANDS-ON COURSE: PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS THROUGH TRAINING AND DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADING SPINAL DEFORMITY SURGEONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
  4. $1.0 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: GLOBAL OUTREACH & WORLD WIDE COURSES; JOURNAL; TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP & SCHOLARSHIPS; RESEARCH; DIRECTED COURSES, SPINE DEFORMITY COURSES

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 June 1972.

    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 November 4, 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.