AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION FACT SHEET
The mission of the ACR Research and Education Foundation is advancing research and training to improve the health of people with rheumatic diseases.
The REF was founded in 1985 for the purpose of promoting and advancing the field of rheumatology by funding rheumatology training programs and rheumatology focused research.
The REF is classified as a 501 (c)(3) organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. The Foundation has received consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.
On average, 90 cents of every dollar donated to the REF is used to fund its extensive awards and grants program.
The REF is the largest private funding source of rheumatology training and research programs in the United States.
The REF supports an extensive awards and grants program with research, training and education opportunities for clinicians, students, health professionals, researchers and academic institutions.
The REF has awarded $50 million to more than 1,000 recipients over the past five years. In 2012, the REF will award nearly $11 million in research and training funding to more than 200 award and grant recipients.
