Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Arthritis Foundation Inc

EIN 58-1341679 · Atlanta, GA

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 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION IS BOLDLY PURSUING A CURE FOR AMERICA'S #1 CAUSE OF DISABILITY, WHILE CHAMPIONING THE FIGHT AGAINST ARTHRITIS WITH LIFE-CHANGING RESOURCES, SCIENCE, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.

Income
$68.3 million
Spending
$65.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
234
Volunteers
7,500
Highest pay
$563,401, president & ceo

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. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (5)
  1. $21.3 million spent. PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY: THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND A STRONG ADVOCACY PROGRAM. ADVOCACY IS ONE OF THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION. OUR MISSION IS TO BE THE VOICE OF PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS WITH POLICY MAKERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, REGULATORS, AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, AND EMPLOYERS. WE DO THIS BY ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY OF ADVOCATES IN LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY POLICY MAKING, HELPING THEM TO FIND THEIR VOICES THROUGH ADVOCACY TRAINING, MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND STATE OFFICIALS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO TIMELY, AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TREATMENTS AND MEDICATIONS. PART OF OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES THE ARTHRITIS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THROUGH ADVOCACY TRAINING AND RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT. A NEW FOCUS OF THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM IS ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT BY OUR ADVOCATES IN POLICYMAKING AT THE STATE LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION IS WORKING TO ENSURE THAT RESEARCH FUNDING FOR ARTHRITIS IS INCREASED AND THAT THERE IS RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT THIS DISEASE IMPACTS ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS.
  2. $16.0 million spent. SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY: FOR 75 YEARS, THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION HAS INITIATED AND SUPPORTED SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES. THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES AND SEEKING SOLUTIONS THAT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO SUFFER. OUR COMMITMENT TO FINDING A CURE IS UNWAVERING. THE SCIENTIFIC STRATEGY IS THE DIRECTION THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION SCIENCE DEPARTMENT IS GOING OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THE SCIENTIFIC STRATEGY HAS THREE PILLARS. THE GOAL FOR EACH PILLAR IS LISTED BELOW. PILLAR #1: DELIVERING ON DISCOVERY IMPROVED DECISION MAKING AND BETTER LIVES THROUGH IMPROVED PREVENTION, EARLIER DIAGNOSIS AND NEW TREATMENTS TO PREVENT, CONTROL AND CURE ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES. PILLAR #2: DECISION MAKING WITH METRICS FACT-BASED METRICS FOR DECISION MAKING AND GUIDING ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN WITH ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES. PILLAR #3: BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PIPELINE IS STRENGTHENED AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY IS CATALYZED AND ACCELERATED FOR ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES.
  3. $11.5 million spent. COMMUNITY HEALTH & SUPPORT: THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION COMMUNITY PROGRAMS EMPOWER PEOPLE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CHALLENGES AND DEVELOP SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS. THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE KIDS AND FAMILY CAMPS, THE JUVENILE ARTHRITIS NATIONAL CONFERENCE, THE WALK WITH EASE EXERCISE PROGRAM, AND EXERCISE AND AQUATICS PROGRAMS. THE PEOPLE WE REACH THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AND ARM WITH INFORMATION AND SELF-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES HAVE A BETTER PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR DISEASE AND, IN TURN, BETTER OUTCOMES.
  4. $1.2 million spent. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
  5. (Expenses $ 1,219,550 including grants of $ 76,250)(Revenue $ 0) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

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 January 1978.

    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.