Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Ada Foundation

EIN 36-6132046 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ADA FOUNDATION PROVIDES CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE FOR THE DENTAL COMMUNITY AND WORKS TO IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH BY SUPPORTING ACCESS TO CARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$870,723, adaf director/ada 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $1.7 million spent. ACCESS TO CARE: PROMOTE AND FUND PROGRAMS THAT BRING ORAL CARE AND EDUCATION TO LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND UNDERSERVED AREAS WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE RECEIVE DENTAL CARE. (Expenses $ 15,325 including grants of $ 5,000) EDUCATION: HELP ACADEMICALLY GIFTED PREDOCTORAL DENTAL STUDENTS DEFRAY A PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPENSES. ALSO, PROVIDE AWARDS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH BY EDUCATING PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN ON THE VALUE OF GOOD DENTAL HEALTH.
  2. $567,157 spent. RESEARCH: PERFORM RESEARCH ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC & TO PROMOTE THE ART AND SCIENCE OF DENTISTRY.
  3. $304,404 spent. CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE: PROVIDE CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE TO THE DENTAL COMMUNITY AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NEED. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING RELIEF GRANTS TO AID MEMBERS OF THE DENTAL PROFESSION AND THEIR DEPENDANTS WHO, BECAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL INJURY, ADVANCED AGE, PHYSICALLY DELIBITATING ILLNESS OR A MEDICAL CONDITION PREVENTS THEM FROM BEING GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO BE WHOLLY SELF-SUSTAINING. (Expenses $ 15,325 including grants of $ 5,000) EDUCATION: HELP ACADEMICALLY GIFTED PREDOCTORAL DENTAL STUDENTS DEFRAY A PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPENSES. ALSO, PROVIDE AWARDS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH BY EDUCATING PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN ON THE VALUE OF GOOD DENTAL HEALTH.
  4. $15,325 spent. EDUCATION: HELP ACADEMICALLY GIFTED PREDOCTORAL DENTAL STUDENTS DEFRAY A PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPENSES. ALSO, PROVIDE AWARDS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH BY EDUCATING PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN ON THE VALUE OF GOOD DENTAL HEALTH.

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 December 1965.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: AARP Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 52-0794300. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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