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Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

EIN 87-0808332 · Wheaton, IL

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SOCIETY FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY IS A NON-PROFIT, TAX-EXEMPT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO FOSTERING A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF SPINE SURGEONS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUES THROUGH EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DIALOGUE, AND THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $971,986 spent. THE SOCIETY FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY PROVIDES A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND FOSTERS OUTCOME-BASED RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINAL CARE. IT PROVIDES FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF ITS MEMBERS IN THE LATEST CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND PROMOTES THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SPINAL CARE. IT ALSO PROVIDES UP TO DATE RESOURCES FOR PHYSICIANS, PATIENTS AND PATIENT FAMILIES IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY AND MINIMIZE PATIENT SUFFERING
  2. $28,136 spent. EXPENSES TO MAIN ORGANIZATIONAL WEBSITE
  3. $49,999 spent. EXPENSES TO PRODUCE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, FORUM EXPENSES, GRANTS AND DONATIONS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 December 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of September 11, 2007. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.