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Massage Therapy Foundation Inc

EIN 36-3735393 · Evanston, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak19 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MASSAGE THERAPY FOUNDATION ("MTF") ADVANCES THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF MASSAGE THERAPY BY SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

Income
$641,231
Spending
$903,537
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
6
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$101,446, ed & treasurer (to fy '25)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 88% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    50% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 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 February 28, 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. $453,852 spent. ANNUALLY, THE MTF FUNDS RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. IN 2024-2025, MTF FUNDED ONE RESEARCH PROJECT . IN ADDITION, THREE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS RECEIVED FUNDING. ADDITIONALLY, THE MTF CONTINUES TO FUND THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND BODYWORK (IJTMB) WHICH IS AN OPEN ACCESS, PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION INTENDED TO ACCOMMODATE THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE RAPIDLY-EXPANDING THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND BODYWORK COMMUNITY THAT IS OFFERED TO READERS GRATIS, ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISIT OUR INFORMATIONAL WEBSITE ANNUALLY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 February 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 October 1991.

    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.