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Association for Reserach in Otolaryngoloy Inc

EIN 51-0141638 · Brentwood, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE BASIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE BROAD FIELDS OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY, HEARING AND BALANCE SCIENCE, AND RELATED AREAS. TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES, AND TO FOSTER COLLEGIAL ASSEMBLY AND STIMULATE SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION AMONG ITS MEMBERS, THE ASSOCIATION SHALL ENCOURAGE YEAR-ROUND SCIENTIFIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$980,988
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
19.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
0
Volunteers
120

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: 96 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $800,963 spent. ARO HOSTS A MIDWINTER MEETING EVERY YEAR FOR MEMBERSHIP AND GUESTS TO ATTEND TO STAY UPDATED ON RECENT SCIENCE IN THE FIELD. THE MIDWINTER MEETING IS HELD EACH YEAR. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES BOTH CONTRIBUTED PAPER SESSIONS AND SPECIAL SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND A SHORT COURSE WITH INVITED SPEAKERS ON TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE TO THE ARO MEMBERSHIP. THE MEETING ABSTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE TO MEETING ATTENDEES IN DIGITAL FORM PRIOR TO THE MEETING. THE ABSTRACTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE ARO WEBSITE AFTER THE MEETING. THE ARO ENCOURAGES AN INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE AT THIS MEETING IN ORDER THAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE MAXIMAL OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION. THIS INFORMAL SETTING IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS OR CLINICIANS IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO LEARN ABOUT THE BROAD FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY.

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 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 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 November 1975.

    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.