Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Address:	22100 Gratiot Avenue
	East Detroit, MI 48021
Phone:	586-776-3900
Web Address:	www.aarda.org

AARDA meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

AARDA’s research program supports autoimmune research in an effort to identify the underlying cause of autoimmune diseases. Research is directed toward finding the mechanisms that initiate the autoimmune response resulting in the disease. Furthermore, the AARDA organizes scientific symposia across medical disciplines to affect discussions among researchers and to increase scientific knowledge regarding all autoimmune diseases across medical specialties. The organization's educational program focuses on public, patient, and physician education. It conducts public awareness campaigns, patient workshops and scientific meetings. AARDA publishes patient information and a newsletter and sponsors a website with the objective of improving early and correcting autoimmune diseases. Through its advocacy program, the organization represents the interests of autoimmune patients with government officials and institutions, with the aim of bringing the patient’s voice to the forefront in policy development. AARDA also operates a resource development program which focuses on fundraising activities, volunteer recruitment, and identification of in-kind/ pro bono contributions.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, AARDA's program expenses were:

Public awareness	917,609
Education	576,365
Research	317,503
Total Program Expenses:	$1,811,477

Chief Executive : Virginia T. Ladd, President and Executive Director

Compensation*:

$106,550

Chair of the Board: Stanley M. Finger, Ph.D
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Environmental Consultant

Board Size: 12

Paid Staff Size: 6

*October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Special events, print advertisements, television, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,972,014, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on AARDA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

Source of Funds
In-kind contributions	1,281,082
Contributions	690,932
Investment return, net	11,419
Total Income	$1,983,433

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 94%  Fund Raising: 3%  Administrative: 3%

Total income				$1,983,433
	Program expenses			$1,811,477
	Fund raising expenses			50,851
	Administrative expenses			52,348
Total expenses				$1,914,676
Income in Excess of Expenses				68,757
Beginning net assets				772,615
Ending net assets				841,372
Total liabilities				88,203
Total assets				$929,575

Note: According to AARDA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the organization received $1,281,082 in in-kind donations including communications/public relations services($733,845), educational services ($317,002), research ($175,139), management/administrative services ($27,994), and fundraising services ($27,102).